Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-11-21

HISS MS own, salu ue. Anu II you
have taken this money, which you do
not deny, you have shown yourself
very shortsighted, for danger lies clos
er to the person holding the money
than to the one you may v!lify by your
threats. This you will find. Amabel,
when you come to make use of the
weapon with which you have thought
TO arm yourself"
Tut, tutv' was her contemptuous re-
ply. "Do you consider me child? Do
I look Like babbllng infant, Freder-
icky'
Her face. which she had lifted to his
IN saying this, was SO illumined, both
~ her smile, which was strangely en-
chanting for one SO evil, and by the
moonlight which SO etherealizes all 1t
touches, that he had to think Of that
other purer, truer face he had left at
the honeysuckle porch to keep down a
last wild impulse toward her, which
would have been his undoing, both in
this world and the next, as he knew.
Or, do I look simply like woman?"
abe went on. seeing the impression she
had made, and playing upon 1t. "a
woman who understands herself and
yon and all the secret perils of tho
game we are both playing? II I am
child. treat me as child; but II / am
. woman"-
Stand out Of my wayw he cried,
catching up his valise and striding
furiously by her. woman or child,
you shall know that will not be your
plaything to be damned in this world
and the nextp'
Are you bound for the city Of de-
structionT she laughed, not moving,
but showing such confidence In her
power to hold him back that he stop
ped In spite Of himself. "If SO, you
are taking the direct road there and
have only to hasten. But you had bet
Ter remain in your fathers house, even
II you are something Of q prisoner
there In company with my very in
significant self. The outcome will be
more satisfactory, even IL you have to
share 1t with me-"
And what course will you take" he
asked. pausing with his hand on the
fence, III choose destruction without
You rather than perdition with youl"
What course? Why, shall tell DR..
Talbot Just enough Of what I know to
prove, you to be as desirable a witness
IN the impending inquest as myself.
The result leave to your Judgment.
But you will not drive me to this ex-
eremity. You will come back and"-
"Woman. will never come back. I
shall have to dare your worst in two
weeks, and will begin by daring you
now. r.
But he did not leap the fence. though
he made q move to do so, for ut that
moment party OF men came hurrying
BY on the lower road, one Of whom
was heard to say:
II VIII bet my head that we Will put
eur hand on Agatha Webb's murderer
tonight The man who shoves 500 bills
around 10 heedlessly should not wear .
beard % long 1t leads to detection"
It was the coroner, the constable,
Knapp and Abel en- route to the forest
road on which lived John and James
label
Frederick and Amabel confronted
each other and after moments ST.
lsncs turned as II by common I'M
pulse toward the house.
What have they got in their heads ~
8 Qusrted she. Whatever 1t is it may
carve to occupy them till the two weeks
Of your probation have passed"
He did not answer. A new difficulty
haA al a - la
life.
Let US follow the party now winding
up the hillside.
In deeply wooded spot on q side
read stood little house to which John
and James label had removed when
their business on the docks had termi-
mated. There was no other dwelling
II greater or lesser pretension on that
road, which may account for the fact
that none of the persons now approach
Ing It had been in that neighborhood
for years, though 1t was by no means
long walk from the village in which
they all led such busy lives.
The heavy shadows cast by the
woods through which the road mean
dered were not without their effect
upon the spirits of the three men pass
ing through them, SO that long before
they reached the opening in which the
label cottage stood silence had fallen
upon the whole party. DIR. Talbot es-
pecially looked as If he little relished
this late visit to his old friends and
not till they caught glimpse of the
long, sloping roof and heavy chimney
Of the label cottage did not shake of
his errand.
q Gentlemen" said he. coming to a
sudden halt, 'let US understand each
ether. We are about to make call
on two of our Oldest and most respecta.
bic townsfolk. II In the course of that
call choose to make mention of the
$50 bill left with Lotion, well and good
but II not you are to take my reticence
a. proof of my own belief that they
had nothing to do with It"
Two Of the party bowed. Knapp
Snly made no sign.
'.There Is no light in the window
observed Abel. what II we find them
gone to bed2
I'VE will wake Them" said the con
stable, II cannot 60 back without
being myself assured that no more
money like that given to Lotion re
mains In this house."
Every WELL" remarked Knapp, ant
going up to the door before him hi
struck resounding knock that wa
startling In that place of silence.
But loud as the summons was 1
brought no answer. Not only the moon
lighted door. but the little windows OF
each side Of It remained shut, ant
there was no evidence that the knocl
had been heard.
"Zabell John Zabel!" shouted tn
constable. stepping around the side o
the house. "Get up. my good friends
land let an old crony in. James! John
Late as 1t Is we have business witt
you. Open the door. Don't stop t
dress"
r.k AL. .rrooI rooa3vod M nor