Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-01-23
lCoNTINUEr.l
CHAPTER ".
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN.

home from the bedside of Il sick parish
Toner some little time before be had
been run against on this very corner
by a man rushing out Of the gateway
in n state of great agitation, This man
held something in his hand that gilt
tered. aud, though the encounter near
~ upset them both, he had not stopped
to utter an apology, but stumbled
away into the darkness In n daZed and
feeble way. showing that he was
neither young nor active. The minister
had not been able 10 see his face. but
noticed the ends Of a long beard blow
ing over bis shoulder rs he hurried
away.
Philemon vas a clean shaved man.
Asked II he could give the time of his
encounter. lie replied that IL was after
III and before l., for he was In his own
house hy l..
Did you look up ut these windows
before leavingg" asked Mr., Fenton,
for this interview had taken place in
the presence OF the dead.
Il must have. Tor | now remember
they were both lighted
"Were the shades up"
81 think not. or | should have noticed
the ceiling OF the room. | remember
seeing nothing"
'IIow were the shades when you
broke into the house this morning.
inquired Mr.. Sutherland OF the con-
stable.
"Just rs they are now; we have NOV
cd nothing. The SHADES were both
down-oue OF them oyer an 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 Glitterlng in his handy'
Il should not like To venture an
opinion. | saw IT but an instant"
Gould It have been Il knife or an old
fashioned dagger
cit might have been"
"Alas. poor Agatha! That money,
something she so GrSpiScd. should
aus The death Of a creature so grand
and simple, Unhappy life. unhappy
death! Feuton. | shall always mourn
for Agatha webb
yet she seems to have found peace
Mt last" said the minister. Il have
never seen her look So contented."
Then leading Mr.. Sutherland aside he
whispered; what IA It you say about
money? Had she any considerable
amount Of Il? [ ask because In spite
OF their humble means Of living she al
ways put a generous donation on the
plate. aud ! have received more than
one during my pastorate nm uncxpcct-
edly large and Anonymous contribution
for certain charities. AS II was always
for sick or suffering children r.
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. | 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 beer past lndulg-
ing In anything"
"Oh, he likes his comfort, and he has
had 1t too. Agatha never stlnted him"
But why do you think her death
was due TO her having money!"
"She had a 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 equanimity
no n had the presumption to ask him
TO leave the room.
The coroner was a 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 yardi"
Mr.. Sutherland. moving rapidly TO
the window. drew aside the Shade.
1T Is Miss Page. my housekecper's
niece" he explained. II do not under.
stand her interest In this affair. she
followed me here from the house aud
could hardly be got TO leave this room,
into which she lntrudcd herself against
my express command"
but look Mt her attitude" 1t was
Mr.. Fenton who spoke. she's crazieT
than Philemon, ii 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 II again. so that she looked
more like II statue In gray than n liy'
ing. breathing woman. Yet there was
menace In her attitude and a purpose
In the solitary stand she took In that
circle Of board girded grass which
caused a thrill in the breast Of thos,
who looked at her from that chamber
OF death.
"a mysterious young woman" NUT
tered the minister.
And one that | neither countenance
nor understand" interpolated Mr.
Sutherland. Il have just shown her
the dIspleasure ! feel at her actions by
dlsmissing her from my house."
The coroner gave him a nnIck look