Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-10-24

STRUCK ham.
tered. and, though the encounter near
" upset them both, he had not stopped
to utter an apology, but stumbled
away into the darkness in dazed and
feeble way, showing that he was
neither young nor active. The minister
had not been able to see his face, but
noticed the ends Of long beard blow
Ing over his shoulder as he hurried
away.
Philemon was clean shaved man.
Asked IL he could give the time of his
encounter, lie replied that 1t was after
IL and before IL, for he was In his own
house by IL.
Did you look up ut these windows
before leaying?" asked Mr.. Fenton,
4 for this interview had taken place In
the presence of the dead.
II must have, for now remember
they were both lighted"
Were the shades up?"
Il think not, or should have noticed
the ceiling of the room. remember
seeing nothing"
How were the shades when you
broke into the house this morning?"
Inquired Mr.. Sutherland of the con-
stable. n 81.
Just as they are now; we have NOV
ed nothing. The shades were both
dOwn-one of them over I'M open win
dow"
well, we may find this encounter
Of Mr.. Cranes Of decided Importance"
II wish had seen the mans face"
remarked the latter.
what did the object look like you
saw glittering in his hand?"
should not like to venture an
opinion. saw 1t but an Instant"
could 1t have been knife or an old
fashioned daggerY
1T might have been"
Alas, poor Agatha! That money,
something she SO desplsed, should
cause the death of n creature SO grand
md simple! Unhappy life, unhappy
death! Fenton. shall always mourn
for Agatha Webb"
Yet she seems to have found peace
mt last" said the minister. 81 have
never seen her look so contented."
Then leading MIR. Sutherland aside he
whispered; What is 1t you say about
money? Had she any considerable
amount Of lit l ask because in spite
of their humble means of living she al
ways put generous donation on the
plate, and l. have received more than
once during my pastorate an unexpect-
edly large and anonymous contribution
for certain charities. AS 1t was always
for Sick or suffering children p
YES. yes. have no doubt 1t came
from her. She was by no means poor,
though myself never knew the extent
of her means till lately. Philemon was
a good business man once, but they ev-
Identity preferred to live simply, having
no children living
'They have lost six, I have been
told"
$50 the Dorchester folks say. They
probably had no heart for display or
for even the simplest luxuries. At all
events they did not indulge in them"
philemon has long been past indulg-.
ing in anything"
"Oh, he likes his comfort, and he has
had 1t too. Agatha never stinted him."
but why do you think her Death
was due to her having moneyY
"She had large sum In the house,
and there are some who knew this"
"And Is it gomez"
"That we shall know later"
As the coroner arrived at this mo-
ment the minister's curiosity had to-
wait. Fortunately for his equanimlty-
no one had the presumption to ask him.
to leave the room.
The coroner was man of but few
words and but little given to emotion.
Yet they were surprised at his first:
question.
who is the young woman who is.
standing outside there, the only one in.
the yard?"
Mr.. Sutherland. moving rapidly to,
the window, drew aside the shade.
ut Is Miss Page. my housekeeper's
niece" he explained. 81 do not UNDER
stand her interest In this affair. Shs
followed me here from the house and
could hardly be got to leave this ROOM.
Into which she intruded herself against
my express command"
"But look at her attitude" 1t was
Mr.. Fenton who spoke. "She's crazier
than Philemon. Il seems to me-"
There was some reason for this re-
mark. Guarded by the high fence from
the gaze of the pushing crowd without,
she stood upright and immovable In the
middle of the yard, like one on watch
The hood which she had dropped from
her head when she thought her eyes
and smile might be of use to her in the
furtherance of her plans had been.
drawn over 1t again, SO that she looked
more like statue In gray than liv-
ing. breathing woman. Yet there was
menace In her attitude and q purpose
= In the solitary stand she took in that
circle OF board girded grass which