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

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What do you find there" cried Mr..
Sutherland, whose eyesight was not
good.
Blood" responded the coroner,
plucking up n blade Of grass and sur
veying it closely.
Blood" echoed Miss rage, with so
suggestive glance that Mr.. Suther-
land stared at her In amazement, not
understanding his own emotion.
"How are you able to discern q stain
SO nearly imperceptible asked the
coroner.
''1mperceptible7 1t is the only thing
I see in the whole yard" she retorted,
and with slight bow which was not
without Its element Of mockery she
turned toward the gate.
"a most unaccountable girl" com.
mented the doctor. But she is right
about these stains. Abel" he called to
the man at the gate, bring box or
barrel here and cover up this spot. I
don't want it disturbed by trampling
feet till the jury shall soon call shall
have had an opportunity to look at it."
Abel started to obey just as the
young girl laid her hand on the gate to
open it.
won't you help met" she asked.
1.-THE crowd is SO great they won't let
me through"
wont theyi" The words came from
without. Just slip out MS slip in, and
you'll find place made for YOU"
Not recognizing the voice, she hesl-
tated for moment, but seeing the gate
swaying, she pushed against 1t just as
young man stepped through the gap.
Necessarily they came face to face.
"Ah, it Is YOU" he muttered, giving
her sharp glance.
II do not know you," she haughtily
declared, and slipping by him with
such dexterfty she was out of the gate
before he could respond.
But he only snapped his finger and
thumb mockingly at her and smiled
knowingly at Abel, who had fingered
to watch the end Of this encounter.
Supple as willow twlg, EN-" he
laughed. "Well, have made whistles
out Of willows before now and-halloo!
where did you get thatY'
He was pointing to n rare flower that
hung limp and faded from Abeps but
tonhole.
"Thls? oh, found 1t in the house
yonder. 1t was lying on the floor Of the
inner room, almost under Batsy's
| ctyfrfc GYyVtnrpo oP
der where she got it?"
The intruder betrayed at once an un-
accountable emotion. There was a
strange glitter in his light green eyes
that made Abel shift rather uneasily
on his feet. WAS that before the pref
ty mink you have Just let out came in
here with Mr.. Sutherland"
"Oh, yes; before any one had started
for the hill at all. Why, what has this
young lady got to do with flower
dropped by Batsy?"
"She? Nothing. Only-and have
never given you bad advice. Abel
don't let that thing hang any longer
from your buttonhole. Put 1t into an
envelope and keep 1t, and II you don't
hear from me again in regard to It
write me out fool and forget we were
ever chums when little shavers."
The man called Abel smiled, took out
the flower and went to cover up the
grass as DR.. Talbot had requested. The
stranger took his place at the gate to-
ward which the coroner and Mr.. Suth-
erland were now advancing with an air
which showed his great anxiety to
speak with them. He was that one Of
the five musicians whom we saw Sc
cgetly entering the last mentioned gen.
tleman's house after the departure of
the last servant.
As the coroner paused before him he
spoke. CDR. Talbot" said he, dropping
his eyes. which were apt to betray his
thoughts too plainly, you have often
promised that you would give me Job
II any matter came up where nice de-
tectiye work was wanted. Don't you
think the time has come to remember
meW
you. Sweetwater? I'm afraid tie
affair is too deep for an Inexperienced
mans first effort. shall have to send
to Boston for an expert. Another time,
Sweetwater, when the complications
are less serious"
The young fellow, with face white
MS milk, was turning away.
But you'll let me stay around here"
he pleaded, pauslng and giving the 9TH
er an imploring look.
"Oh, yes" answered the good natur-
ed coroner. "Fenton will have work
enough for you and half a dozen 9TH
ers. Go and tell him sent you"
THANK you." returned the other, his
face suddenly losing Its aspect Of acute
disappointment "Now l shall see
where that flower fell" he murmured.