Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-03-08


IA silk gown" she murniured. TT
will buy Lizzie silk gown. Oh, where
did it come from, the good, good gold,
the beautiful gold, so little, but enough
to mako her look fine, my Lizzie, my
pretty, pretty Lizzie?"
No numbers this time. The gift was
too overpowering for her even to re-
member that it must be hidden away.
To gloat over it, she must keep it in
her hand. walked away while her de-
light was still voluble. Somehow it
eased me to have done her this little
benefit, and I think it eased the men
too. At all events, every hat was off
when passed them again on my way
back to the Knollys gateway.
had left both the girls there, but I
found only one awaiting me. Lucetta
had gone in, and SO had Hannah. Why
was soon to know.
"What do you suppose that detective
wants of Lucetta now?' asked Loreen
as took my station again at her side.
while you were talking over there to
Mother Jane he stepped over here, and
with word or two induced Lucetta to
walk away toward the house. See, there
they are in those thick shrubs near the
right wing. He seems to be pleading
with her. Do you think I ought to join
them and find out what he is urging
upon her SO earnestly? 1 don't like to
seem intrusive, but Lucetta is easily
agitated, you know, and his business
cannot be an Indifferent one after all he
has discovered going on i'll our house. ("
"No," 1 agreed, "and yet I think
Lucetta will be strong enough to sus-
tain the conversation, Judging from the
very erect attitude she is holding now.
Perhaps he thinks she can tell him
where to dig. They seem little at sea
over there, and living, as you do, a few
rods from Mother Jane, he may imagine
that from some sign. or other she can
direct him where to first plant the
spade"
"It's an insult" cried Loreen. "All
these talks and visits are insults. To be
sure, this detective has some excuse,
but
"Watchr' I interrupted. "Lucetta
is shaking her head and looking very
positive. She will prove to him it is an
insult. We need not interfere, think. :"
But Loreen had grown pensive and
did not heed my suggestion. A look
that was almost wistful had supplanted
the expression Of indignant revolt with
which she had addressed me, and when
next moment the two we had been
watching turned and came slowly to-
ward us it was with decided energy for
| her she bounded forward and Joined
them.
"What is this?" she asked. "What
does Mr.. Gryce want, Lucetta?'
Mr.. Gryce himself spoke.
IT want her." said he, "to give me
just little clew from her inmost
thoughts. When was in your house, y
he explained, with careful considera-
ton for me and my relations to these
| girls, which was one of the good points
with which he offset some which were
Of an exasperating nature to me, 81
saw something i'll her attitude, being,
as you may surmise, something of a
keen observer, which convinced me that
as dweller in this lane Miss Knollys
was not without her suspicious as to
the secret cause of the dread mysteries
which have been sent here to clear up.
Today have frankly asked her, and
she--she will not tell me, Miss Loreen.
Yet her face shows even at this moment
that my old eyes were not at fault in
my reading of her. She does suspect
somebody, and it is not Mother Jane. {"
elbow can you say that?" began Lu-
cetta, but the eyes which Loreen that
moment turned upon her seemed to
| trouble her, for she did not attempt to
say any more-only looked equally OBJ
stinate and distressed
eff Lucetta suspects any one, Loreen
now remarked steadily, then think
she ought to tell you just who and
why"
"You do. Then perhaps you'-com-
nlenced Mr.. Gryce-"can persuade her
as to her duty" he finished as he saw
her head rise in protest Of what he evil
IDENTIFY had intended to demand.
"Lucetta will not yield to persua.
sion, was her quiet reply. Nothing
short Of conviction will move the sweet.
est natured but the most determined OF
all my mothers children. What she
thinks is right, she will do. I will not
attempt to influence her.
Mr.. Gryce, with ono comprehensive
survey of the two hesitated no longer.
siaw the rising Of the blood into hil
| Forehead. which alMays preeedes ths