Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-04-29

dfld then, taking advantage Of Che fact
that we were in crowded thorough
fare, watched his opportunity, shot
past me and disappeared at the next
turn of the street.
Enraged, mystifed, Disguised, with
all my uneasiness aroused again, fol-
lowed as far as the turning, only to
find that the fox had got away.
returned to the hotel in the worst
of humors, and had not recovered
when came down to table d'hote,
where I sat beside Jennie Atkinson,
and resolved to take her into my con-
fidence.
Old Atkinson, on the other side of
her, made no objection to my monop-
olizing his daughters society.
DO you know anything about the
millions asked 1 at very early point
of the meal, land the reason of their
changing their minds so suddenly,
when they had decided to stay here?"
Her face clouded at once.
"N-o-o, not exactly" she answered,
in low voice.
Not exactly? Then you do know
something's"
A slight flush rose in her face.
only this" said she, that their de-
cision to go away"
Young millions decision" inter-
rupted 1.
She looked at me quickly.
"Well, yes; it was he who said they
would have to 60"
why, what reason did he give?"
asked I, sharply.
He gave none. He said they had to
go. 1t was yesterday, about an hour
before dinner time. When asked him
where they were going, he wouldn't
answer; he pretended not to hear. 1
was as much puzzled as you can be.
All know is that their reasons-his
reasons-must have been very strong,
for-he wanted to stay"
Her voice sank to whisper on the
last words.
looked at her earnestly.
"You wouldn't believe anything
against him, suppose?" said, in a
voice no louder than her own.
mo, indeed, wouldn't" she an
swered stoutly.
"And l suppose you won't listen if
tell you something which puzzles me
and makes me distrustful of him?"
Her face seemed to light up.
"Ill listen to anything" she an
swered, promptly. "And I'll help you
to understand it if can"
Without further preface told her
everything, from first to last, simply,
straightforwardly, not concealing my
own doubts and vacillations and
changes of opinion about him.
Through it all showed no malice, for,
oddly enough, felt none. was too
much mystified to have anything so
definite as real good hatred about
me.
couldn't complain that she lis
tened in anything but the fairest
manner; she asked two or three very
intelligent questions, which showed
that she was trying to be unbiased,
and then her face grew as puzzled
as my own.
II can't understand it bit," said
she. why didn't you confide in his
uncle?"
Because young Mullion woulddn't
let me- answered promptly. THAT
was just what wanted to do, and
what he put every obstacle in the
way of my doing. believe, though
can't prove this-that was why he
took his uncle away"
Its extraordinary, it's mysteri-
ous," said Jennie, with tears in her
eyes, land I can only try to explain
1t to myself in one way"
I don't think she meant to say-as
much as this, but the words slipped
out in spite of her.
"And what's that?" I asked,
quickly.
She hesitated again, and turned her
beautiful blue eyes timidly toward
me.
Il won't tell you what I think"
said she, while her voice shook and
her lips trembled nervously, unless
you give me your word of honor that
you'll never attempt to take any pro-
ceedings against Dick Mullion, no
matter what happens, even if"-she
ended emphatically-''he should try
to murder you'll"
confess that this demand was
rather more than I could accept with
equanimity. I started, stammered and
looked. dare say, as amazed as I
felt, at this thorough-going partisan
ship. Jennie smiled very sweetly at
my discontinue, and blushed and
looked down at the tablecloth.
OF course, you think" she said,
arching her pretty neck, and trying
to speak with great haughtiness,
shat must be in love with Mr.. Null.
Lion, to ask such promise as that
from you. Nothing of the kind, I as
sure you. He has never said word
about-about anything of that sort
to me, and I should be the last per-
son"-she went on more haughtily
than ever-"to fall in love with man
who was not in love with mel"
had great mind to tell her that
1T wouldn't have been easy to find q
man who was not in love with her;
but refrained, and only meekly sug-
gested that she was asking a good
deal OF me. At that she smiled and
said:
well, wouldn't ask so much If 1
didn't feel sure Mr.. Mullion would
never WILLINGLY do uo,, Nv o-xrtoau