Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-01-09
CHAPTER XIII.

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Meanwhile Sweetwater had been wit
ness to series Of pantomime actions
that interested him more than ANA
bells conduct under this final eXamina-
ton. Frederick, who had evidently
some request to make or direction to
give, had sent written line to the
coroner, who, on reading it, had passed
1t over to Knapp, who a few minutes
later was to be seen in conference with
Agnes Halliday. As result the latter
rose and left the room, followed by the
detective. She was gone half hour.
Then, simultaneously with her reap
pearance, Sweetwater saw Knapp hand
bundle of letters to the coroner, who,
upon opening them, chose out several
which he proceeded to read to the jury.
They wes,e the letters referred to by
Frederick as having been given to him
by his mother. The first was dated
80 years previously and was in the
handwriting Of Agatha herself. 1t was
directed to James label and was read
amid a profound hush:
DEAR JAMEs-I know l, have tenn
per, wicked temper, and now you
know 1t too. When it is aroused, for
get love, gratitude and everything else
that should restrain me and utter
words am astonished at myself. But
do not get aroused often, and when
all is over l am not ayerse to apologize
ing or even to begging forgiveness. My
father says my temper will undo me,
but am much more afraid of my
heart than am Of my temper. For
instance, here 1 am writing to you
again, just because raised my riding
whip and said-but you know what l
said, and l am not fond Of recalling
that moment, for cannot do SO with
out seeing your look Of surprise and
contrasting 1t with that Of Philemon's.
Yours had Judgment in 1t, while Phile-
mons held only Indulgence, yet liked
yours best or should have liked it best
If 1t were not for the insufferable pride
which is part Of my being. Temper
such as mine ought to surprise you.
Yet would be Agatha Gilchrist with
out 1t? very much fear not, and, not
being Agatha Gllchrist, should have
your love? Again fear not. James,
forgive me! When am happier, when
| know my own heart, will have less
provocation. Then IL that heart turns
your way you will find great and
bountiful serenity where now there are
lowering skies and thunderous tenn
pests. Philemon said last night that he
would be content to have my fierce
word o. mornings il only would give
him one drop out of the honey Of my
better nature when the sun went down
and twilight brought reflection and
love. But did not like him any the
better for saying this. You would not
halye the day so. The cup must hold
no bitter that would give you true re-
freshment. VIII 1t not, then, have to
be proffered by other hands than those
or AGATHA?
Mr.. Philemon Webb:
RESPECTED SIR-You are persistent.
am willing to tell you, though shall
never confide so much in another, that
1t will take stronger nature than
yours and one that loves me less to
hold me faithfully and make me the
happy, devoted wife which must be If
would not be demon. | cannot, I
dare not, marry where am not held in
passionate, self forgetful subsection.
l am too proud, l am too sensitive to
wrong, am too little mistress of my
self when angry or aroused. If, like
some strong women, loved what was
weaker than myself and could be con-
trolled by goodness and unlimited kind
ness, l might venture to risk living at
TN 4lde Of thu saplt laa4lrank mn VI.