Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-10-12
CHAPTER XXI.
FATHER AND DAUGHTER.
EDGAR MORETTE

A1ter SpraSue nad lett her, Agnes,
shaken by the conflicting emotions of
the day, had gone to her room to rest
and to prepare for the interview
which she meant to have with her
father on the subject of her lover
and of Chatham.
Having received word that Murdoch
would remain in his study during the
rest of the afternoon, she had taken
time to reflect upon what she meant
to say, and how she meant to say it.
Her visit was not prompted by the
desire of daughter to confde the
great happiness of her life to the low
ing sympathy of an affectionate par
ent; but Agnes was punctilious in the
performance of what she considered
to be her duties, gi"a; and small, and
she counted it amoss those duties to
obtain, or at any rate to seek, the pa
ternal sanction of her choice of a
husband.
Her knock at the door of Murdock's
study was answered in the chemists
quiet voice:
"Come In"
AS she opened the door, Murdoch
advanced to meet her. He seemed to
come from the direction Of the ex.
tension.
Miss Murdoch shifted the air.
isn't there leak Of gasp" she in.
CURED.
yes" replied Murdoch; 81 have
just stopped leak in the laboratory
Won't you take a chair, Agnes2''
She felt his calm, searching glance
upon her; and, in spite of her prep.
aration, she grew embarrassed, nj
was her wont, in her fathers pres.
ence.
did Mr.. Chatham wait to see you
this afternoon?" she asked, after .
momentary silence.
Murdoch observed her narrowly.
Eyes; Chatham has been here to.
day. did not know that you had
seen him"
Il could not help seeing him; TO,
he forced his way into the parlor, il
spite of all the servants could do tc
prevent him."
An almost imperceptible furrow ap
peared between the chemists eyes.
Has he been annoying you with
his attentions?"
The words We're spoken in Muir
docks usual tones; but Agnes saw
something in her fathers eyes anG
in the firm lines of his mouth which
sent cold SILVER down her spine, anc
caused her pity to go out to the un
fortunate young man who had offend
ed her.
Perhaps he is more to be pitiei
than blamed" she suggested, gently
my interview with him was certain
~ not pleasant; but I bear him nc
malice"
"Tell me about It," said Murdoch
slowly.
Agnes gave her version Of the visit
in which, instinctively, she softened
as much as possible, the passion ant
brutality displayed by the account
ant.
Murdoch listened in silence unit
she had quite finished. Then Agne.
noticed that his right hand wa.
clenched upon the arm Of his chat,
with force which caused the mus
cles to stand out in hard knots. Sh,
looked up into his face in sudden sur
prise.
His features gave no indication O.
what his feelings might be; and hi
voice. as usual, was steady and deli5
crate.
II am sorry all this should hav,
happened, Agnes. AS told you yes
terday, | hoped to save you from thi.
mans opportunities. 1t cannot b,
helped now. But ! think made il
clear to the gentleman that his atten
tions are as distasteful to me as the,
are to you. AS he seems to have tole
you, he has been obliged to leave tn.
country understand that he ha,
done something or other which make!
1t safer for him to undertake Ions
journey AT any rate, we are well rio
of him for some time to come, and
think you need have no fear of fur
Their molestation.
What did he mean by saying thai
he had had encouragement from
your" asked the young girl.
am sure do not know. Tha,
was of course lie out of whole cloth
he came to me with letters of recon
incubation from good friends of mine
and l therefore occasionally invited
him to the house; but that is all the
encouragement he ever got from ME
We live in the United States and a.