Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-12-20

pened father, Mr.. Jones--you are keep.
ing something back"
well, it's all mistake--everybody
knows it-but he's held on q serious
charge"
What is it-don't you see am in sus.
pensey"
well, then, Dan Anterior Is up for
murder
She did not cry out or faint; she did
not make any Of the display he expected;
she looked at her companion as though
she doubted his sanity.
why. what an absurd-what ridicu.
lous charge to bring against my fatherv'
"Ayc-just what I say, girl-comc on,
and we'll soon straighten things up"
CHAPTER XXI.
When Martha Cole made her way TO
the police headquarters, and inquired for
the chief Of police. that officer presented
himself and inquired the nature Of her
business.
"That's for you to tell after I've told
my errand. DO you know Mr.. Grippy
"Gripp--Grippv' said the chief. az
think do know who you mean, Who
are your"
my names Cole"
The chief started"
well, what's your business?"
TO protect my boy. He Is at the nge
when boys are easily led astray. I want
to make a bargain with you. I'll give
you hint that may be Of service to you,
Y your promise sacredly to help my 10y
II ever he gets into trouble. only ask
you to overlook the frst--mind you-the
first offense."
What's your boys nameT'
Bob Walters. I was married twice.
Ny first husband, Bob's father, might be
living to-day II the world had pardoned
his frst ohense. He did what wasn't
1ght-did 1t to help a friend. and when
It was found out-and nobody ever got
at the bottom Of the buslness--he went to
the bad-died."
Il knew your husband. Mrs. Cole" said
the chief, In an altered tone. HE was
40 honest man As ever knew, anu was
my friend when had none. I'll promise
to help bis boy-on my honor. Mrs. Cole"
"Now we understand each other. I'll
tell you just how It Is. Bob's been going
errands for Mr.. Gripp. Grips had some.
thing ON hand he wanted kept quiet, and
he's bound Bob up so the boys afraid. I
left him In tho house half an hour ago,
afraid to come out"
What Is Grip up tor
Il don't know where Bob's been for
him. ! know he was In Allegheny, and
more than once. to number -
street."
The chief pricked up his cars at that
"How did you learn this?
by leading him, when no wasn't sus
pecting my motive, to talk about his com.
rades In Allegheny"
"What elseY'
"Why--my names Cole. you sce."
She blushed family. Mrs. Colo was
coming to page In her life that she did
not like to recall.
"WenT'
"And her name, they said, was Cole.
too. And they said It was Knox. think
I'm pretty sure-they've mixed me with
the Knox woman"
1T was this way: About six years ago
Mr.. Grip did what people called good
turn for my last husband-COle. don't
believe It. I believe no 10 human do.
monv'
They do tell some queer stories now
about Gripp." said tho chief.
i've thought all along, II the truth
was known, no was my husbands enemy.
But he came to the funeral, and was a
pall-bearer, and called afterward. II he
had ever been true friend of my hus.
bands he would never have insulted his
widow"
The chief looked at her flaming cheeks
and blasting eyes, and made his own an.
plication.
HE began talking marriage, and when
I allowed him to pay my husbands funer.
al expenses, and ! thought some Of my
ncighb0rs were looking curiOusly at me.
went straight to Mr.. Grip to have Il
out with him. And we did. I say he Is
a sham, deceitful wretch, a hypocrite."
II agree with you"
when told him never, never to sneak
to me again, he laughed and shook the
receipt for my husbands funeral ex-
penses In my face. I've paid every cent
Of back to him. I can show his re-
ceipts for the money"
Let me have them. I'd like to com.
pare the handwriting"
III send them by Bob. But not a
soul but You knows I paid the money
back. To this day he has the credit Of
burying my husband"
"Nice man, Grippw
"Then ! moved away--down the lower
part OF the town; his Mrs. Cole lived On
the hill"
PITY YOU didn't poison him."
II have worked, ever since by hus-
band died, cleaning houses and taking In
washing. Look ut my hands--at my
nails"
II don't need to, Mrs Cole. And lust
here let me say women who dress as you
dress, with hands like yours, don't need
any Endorsement for honesty"
I'VE don't. Well, 1t was a poor crca-
ture--a heartbrOken looking, soft faced.
looking thing who called herself Mrs.
Cole. And the last heard Of her, she
was In Cincinnati. He sent her away.
Why, ! never found out. Then I once
met her-face to face, mind you-On Fifth
avenue. In front Of the postofice. She
looked frightened; she hurried on, and
although was SO angry with her I wish
ed her dead, when l met her, and saw
death In the woman's face I was shock.
ed. Ill never wish anybody evil again.
! met her once again, and somebody was
calling her Mrs. KNOX"
"YOu are sure Of thatf"
The chiefs eyes sparkled now with In.
terest.
"Qulte. I'm not likely to make mis-.
take Of that sort"