The Lamar register., 1901-10-23
CHAPTER XIII, continued

| walked around the place few tmes
and peered into each window, but NO
one was to be seen.
1t was no surprise that the fellow
Skinner should wish to avoid me, but
IL the other face I had seen belonged 10
jackson, why should he desire to hide
from me?
The idea of smashing in a window or
breaking down n door, and thus gain
ing entrance, occurred to me, but on
second thought l abandoned it.
Probably Jackson, having heard that
was residing at Nelsonville, and know
ing that must therefore have met
Florence Morley and have been in
formed by her of his contemplate man
ner of trying to win her, thought 1t
best not to meet me.
If he wished to avoid me he was at
liberty to do SO. It was q trivial circum-
stance, at any rate, and SO left the
wagon.
"vhat for he run so?" inquired Sarah,
as she drove on.
"Oh, have little account to settle
with him, and he is afraid Of me, I
suppose" replied.
DER vas anoder man too-in de vim
der" she continued.
"You saw him, then. Yes, thought
there was. But couldn't find either
of them, and the doors were all locked"
Sarah was much puzzled at the oc-
currence, and made numerous remarks
and asked many questions in the en-
denvor to obtain more light; but did
not crafty her curiosity and answered
ony in monosyllables.
Ny mind was in even a greater whirl
of perplexity than my old nurses.
Why had Skinner tried to shoot me,
and why, after thus showing some pow
erful animosity toward me, should he
now appear such craven that he fled,
evidently in great fear, from my pres
ence? What was the fellows real intent
and purpose in engaging himself to
Florence as detective? Was he really
a detective7
Jackson had recommended him 70
Florence. What bond existed between
jackson and Skinner? And, moreover,
who was Sonntag? These three men
seemd somehow strangely connected
with my life, but how and to what enc? =?
Sarah, do you know anything about
Mr.. Sonntag?" finally asked.
"Ach, yes. he is your lawyer, amt
hep
"Yes, yes. But do you know anything
about him? He has not been in Twins-
burgh very long. has hep"
mo. Aloud six months. he Is a
very nice man, and a goot Won, too"
Sarah replied, convincingly.
THAT seems to be the general opin-
ion regarding him. Do you know any
thing about the station agent?"
II ton't know nodding aboud him."
"He came here about the same time
that sonntag did, believe"
"Yes, l guess So"
Sarah" 1 began, again, after q
pause, "can your husband be relied up
on to face danger?"
"Dnnger?"
"Yes. Don't be alarmed; I don't
know of any; but supposing some sud-
den danger arose before him, would he
have the courage to meet II p
ayes, il 1 vas with him." was Sarah's
reply.
when you are with him7"
"Yes. I ton't know, II he vas alone,
bud he fight de devil II am py him."
could not restrain q burst of laugh
ter at the idea of the great powerful
farmer being courageous only in his
wife's presence. Sarah Joined heart
lily in my merriment, and remarked
that her husband could be relied upon
to do Just what she desired.
swell, then, can you and Jake come
over to Nelsonville tomorrow morn
ing early and help me dig q way into
the cellar?" asked, again becoming
serious.
sure we can" Sarah replied, e1.
citedly.
"And bring . crowbar along, and q
sledge-hammer, If you have them. II
we cannot cut the thick beams in the
floor of my room, we may be able to
dig through the foundation wall. This