Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-01-23

~ most unaccountable girl" COM.
meuted the doctor. But she Is right
about these stains. Abel" lie called to
the man at the gate, bring a box or
barrel here and cover up this spot. |
don't want 1t disturbed by trampllng
feet till the jury l shall soon call shall
have had an opportunity to look at It,"
Abel started TO obey just as the
young girl laid her hand oil. the gate to
open il.
wont you help mef' she asked.
"The crowd is so great they won't let
me through"
wont theyT" The words came from
without. "JuSt slip out as 1 slip In, and
you'll find n place made for you"
Not recognizing the voice, she hesl-
tated for a moment. but seeing the gate
swaying, she pushed against 1t Just as
n young man stepped through the gap.
Necessarily they came face to face.
"Ah, IL Is YOU lie muttered, giving
her n sharp glance.
81 do not know you" she haughtily
declared. and slipping by him with
such deNterity she was out Of the gate
before he could respond.
But he only snapped Ills finger and
thumb mockingly ut her and smiled
knowingly ut Abel, who had fingered
TO watch the end Of this encounter.
supple as Il willow twig, eh." he
laughed. well, | have made whistles
out of willows before now and-halloo.
where did you get thaty'
He was pointing to a rare flower that
hung Emp and faded from Abels but
tonhole.
"Thisi oh, | found 1t In the house
yonder. II was lying on the floor of the
inner room. almost under Batsy's
skirts. Curious sor of flower. I won.
der where she got III"
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.
~ mink you have Just let out came In
here with Mr.. Sutherlandf"
"Oh, yes; before any one had started
for the hill ut all. Why. what has this
young lady got to do with a flower
dropped by Batsyy
"She? Nothing. Only-and | have
never given you bad advice. Abel
don't let that thing hang any longer
from your buttonhole. Put il into an
envelope and keep 1t, and If you don't
hear from rue again in regard to 1t
write me out Il 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 rs Or. Talbot had requested. The
stranger took his place ut the gate to-
ward which the coroner and Mr.. Slth-
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
crctly entering the last mentioned gen.
tlcman's house after the departure of
the last servant.
As the coroner paused before him he
spoke. "Dr. Talbot" said he. dropping
his eyes. which were apt to betray his
thoughts too plainly, you have often
promised that you would give me a job
II any matter anne up where nice de-
tective work was wanted. Don't you
think the time has come to remember
me!"
you. Sweetwater? I'm afraid the
affair Is too deep for an inexperienced
mans first effort. ! shall have to send
TO Boston for an expert. Another time,
Swectwater. when the complications
are less serious
The young fellow, with a face white
rs milk. was turning away.
But you'll! let me stay around here?"
he pleaded. pauslng aud giving the 9TH
or mn imploring look.
"Oh. yes" answered the good natur-
ed coroner. "Fcnton will have work
enough for you and half n dozen 9TH
ors. 60 and tell him | sent you"
THANK you" returned the other. his
face suddenly losing its aspect of acute
disappointment. "Now | shall see
where that flower fell" he murmured.