Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-01-30

ness as he moved of, and not until he
was gone did seem to recollect the
Wild, nervous glance of his eyes as he
stared moment into my face. Under
other conditions l might have thought
seriously of 1t. Nevertheless 1 watched
him with some interest as he dIsap-
peared in the crowd.
Discovering no sign of my uncle
amid the moving throng and feeling
that had held my place for reason
able period, turned with the intention
OF finishing my drink, when my eyes
encountered those Of pale faced
young gentleman who was leaning on
the end of the counter he started
suddenly, as though he intended to
speak, but hesitated as quickly. re-
strained, so 1t appeared, by a second
thought in the meantime took up
the tumbler and was about to raise Il
to my lips when once more my look in
stinctively wandered his way. His
eyes were fixed upon me with keen
ness which / failed utterly to fathom.
and, seeing. no doubt, the curious In.
terrogative expression Of my face, he
came instantly toward me. at once
lowered the glass and watched him In.
tently.
he was an ordinary young fellow.
with an insipid mustache and fair hair
pressed close upon his head; perhaps
not strong man physically or intel
lectually. but apparently of some class.
Il hope you will pardon me-" he said.
Il have not the pleasure. of knowing
you, but-but" he seemed ex-
tremely neryous-"1 think l ought to
tell you what I've seen. You will par.
don the libertyY
Certainly"
"Then I'm afraid it will seem an alb
surd question to ask. Have you-have
you any enemies?"
l started and looked him squarely In
the eyes, but he withstood the scrutiny
without the flicker of lid.
Excuse me-" said, now thoroughly
on my guard, but you must surely
recognize the incongruity of address
Ing such q question to stranger"
Il do" he replied.
"Then why do you ask?"
Because have just seen something
which-which, to say the least Of 1t, is
singular. Do you remember the man
with the beard who a minute ago apol-
ogized for treading on your foot7
Perfectly"
well, l saw him, while your back
was turned, drop something into your
tumbler."
Good heavens!'
1nvoluntarily the exclamation escap-
ed me. A convulsive SILVER swept me
from head to foot. The young man,
watching intently, must have seen my
face blanch, for he added hastily:
II hope haven't frightened you, but
l thought 1t looked suspicious and that
I had better speak,
Thanks, thousand timesw l said.
II have enemies. 1t was good of you
to speak" seized his hand and shook
1t warmly, scarcely noticing the limp
fingers which returned no answering
pressure.
"oh. don't mention It." he replied.
Then he added in another key, IF I
were you, I'd chuck that stun away"
took up the glass and looked at It,
but could distinguish nothing which
would lead me to suppose that 1t had
been tempered with. smelled 1t, with
like result. Then became curious
to know Of what this drug consisted Of
which l could detect no sign.
II think shall preserve It as piece
of evidence" answered. II can de-
tect nothing suspicious in It."
LET me try" said he. and as hand.
ed him the glass l turned to the pale
faced girl behind the bar and asked
her for bottle of some description.
The young fellow was still peering
into the glass when once more looked
his way, and presently he held 1t out,
with a shake Of the head.
II also am at loss to detect any.
thing the least bit suspicious. It ia
very curious"
As he spoke he handed the glass
back, but somewhat carelessly, for as
my fingers touched 1t he let 60, with
the result that the thing fell crashing
to the floor.
| "Oh. thousand pardonsw he cried
Whose fault was it-mine or yours q
l admitted with some chagrin that
we were both at fault. but the unfore.
seen had happened, the evidence was
destroyed. and there was nothing more
to be said about 1t. Nevertheless ]
was extremely annoyed, and in my
heart l censured him greatly for bis
carelessness; but, as nothing further
could be said on the subject, thanked
him once more, babe him good night
and moved off.
i looked vainly for the gentleman
with the beard, though had little
hope Of discovering him. Indeed, but
for his stumbling over my foot doubt
II l should have noticed him at all.
Having completed his work, he had
made good his escape. Perhaps from
some vantage ground he might still be
watching me, watching the effect Of
his work; but, II so. saw nothing OF
him. However, / thought It highly
probable that he had put some distanc,
between him and the theater.
Presently beheld my uncle advanc
Ing toward me through the crowd, ant
as he came up he smilingly asked II ]
thought he had been lost.
THAT chap Cockerton," he explained
referring to the stockbroker, "woult
insist upon dragging me round to sc,
the manager. A little spec he has on
wants me to join. But no, thanks
Very good, but not good enough for me
know Cockerton, and once on tim,
used to know theatrical gentlemen
,Arl he favored me with a Profound,
4 Sowing smile, smile always asso
'2.lAted with the city, and q cleyerussI