Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-10-03

gave glance at his sister, which told
him he had better obey, and walked
out reluctantly.
You have been listening" 1 said
CURLY.
II have not. was coming through
the hall and heard your last remark.
And you infer that I was trying to
get secret which does not at oil con-
Germ me-"
81 most assuredly do"
"You are mistaken. I care rs more
for what occurs in this house t II for
the color of the dress you hap. to
wear. 1 had another object in ques-
tioning your brother"
II dare say you had"
81 wished to discover If he could keep
a secret"
~ dare say you did"
81 have intended nothing dishonor-
able"
fudge" She snapped her fingers
and her eyessat the same time.
you don't believe me. Very well, 1
don't believe that you were not caves
dropping"
81 was not eavesdropping" she cried
holly. "You have the word Of q south.
ern lady"
"And 1 was not trying to get your
secret. You have the word Of az I
stopped short. had run against a
snag. She gave me a glance of con-
tempt and triumph. Her head was up,
a little to one side, her nostrils dilated,
her breath slow and measured.
Miss Stanforth," said-I was near
betraying what demanded secrecy-T
will prove to you before nlght-no, not
before night. but soon--that had an
other object. / will no longer remain
in house the inmates Of which, I
made step toward the door.
"Mr. Bfanderstane" .sts,
miss Stnnforthv'
"In addition to sailing under false
colors you are now going to endanger
your life BY y
Fudge! What is my life to you?" I
snapped my fingers.
"a good deal just now. 1t Is un-
pleasant to have person die on ones
hands,
1 was in no condition for this en-
counter. A buzzing was going on in
my ears, tingling sensation in my
limbs. My knees were giving way,
and was obliged to sit down on the
sofa. 1 looked longingly at a bottle Of
brandy that stood on the table, but was
too proud to ask for it. In moment
Helen had poured some of the liquor
into a tumbler and held It to my lips.
1 drank reviving draft, She put
her hands on my shoulders and gently
forced me to lie down.
This must not occur again." she
said. you have no strength to go, and
l have no right to excite you while in
your present condition. I believe what
you told me-" She put out her hand. !,
Pardon" I said hiimbly. when
calm, L would as soon think of accusing
you Of eavesdropping as would accuse
Diana Of unchastity. have been I'm,
gallant, rude-rude to woman
Forget it. Lie still, and you will
soon be yourself again." She sat down
by a table and took up book. 81 will
sit here and read while you recover
your strength"
She read for perhaps half an hour.
l supposed she was interested in the.
book. for she turned one page after am
other and seemed to have forgotten me.
At last she put down the volume, and
by her first words convinced me that
instead Of being interested in 1t she
had been thinking ofmy puzzling iden-
tity.
II want to ask you one question" II
"Ask It,"
where did You come from the day
the shooting occurred?
"Huntsville."
She had asked the one question and
had received her reply. knew by her
expression that she wanted to ask an
ether.
VI suppose you were there long enough
to become acquainted with the city.
It's beautiful place"
II was there a week."
The limit of one question having been
overstepped in this indirect fashion, it
was easier for her to proceed.
What were you doing there?.
Looking for some one.
"a man?''
"Yes." 50
"What for?'
/ did not reply at once. I was think
Ing of some plan by which to put an
end to her catechising.
IF ! tell you," said presently, will
you promise to ask me no more ques-
tionsw tg
IF you prefer that should not"
"You wish to know why was seek
ing my man ut Huntsville?"
II do"
you will keep what tell you a se-
cret?' --r--
"Yes."
ITO kill him."
Ito Be Continued)
- ~. 81. ..