Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-11-15

an encountered Grip at a street corner.
Mayberry could see her turn to him and
reach out her hand. as IL she would de-
tain him, but Grip thrust her aside
roughly and disappeared.
The woman acted like one dazed. May
berry saw her put up a hand to her head
helplessly, and look after the scrap deal
er. Then she approached shop win
dow, and stood like one who was collect
ing her ideas.
When Arthur Maybcrry, animated by
sheer curiosity. approached and passed
this woman, he thought he recognized in
her woman he had met somewhere,
where, he could not remember.
And now he was resolved to learn who
this poor creature was. Poor she I'M
doubtedly was. and sickly. She had
hacking cough that sounded like pre-
cursor of death.
The woman finally decided upon her
course: she made her way slowly to ant
obscure street, and entered an unlighted
hallway. The house was occupied by
tenants, who relet rooms. Mnyberry
made note of the place. and entered
a small newsstand near the house.
"Who lives In the old brick above here
the one with the porchT' he said in a
mattcr-of-fact manner to the proprietor.
There's half dozen families there
now"
II mean the responsible person."
ooh! the old pie vcndcr-Quiglcy.'
THAT'S his wife the woman with the
scar on the left tcmplcT
THAT! I'll never tell you who she Is.
We call her the woman who minds her
own business. I've seen her pass here a
thousand times. and I never saw her
speak to soul. Nor nobody else has, I
reckon. They say she makes her living
picking up a bit of sewing, doing house
clcaning-she don't look very stout look
ing-and l guess. from her appearance,
she is half starved. She don't look like
as IL she'd bother the world long,"
A figure passed the little shop door.
Mayberry glanced out. The figure was
that Of Mr.. jackson Grip. Mayberry
stepped back In the shadow Of the open
door, standing where he could observe
Mr.. Grips movements, all the while
keeping up a running conversation with
the shop keeper, who was a gossip In
male attire.
Grip looked up and down the street.
There were three or four workmcn up
preaching. carrying their dinner pals In
their hands. Grip turned his face from
them; when they passed him he looked
| up and down the street again, then walk.
ed suddenly, with long strides, to the
| solitary house.
When Mayberry babe the proprietor
good evening and stepped out into the
street, Mr.. Grip had disappeared from
view.
Mayberry could have taken his oath
Grip had entered the dark hallway. He
walked to the next crossing. keeping IN
eye on the old building. crossed the street.
returned on the opposite side, and looked
| up.
There was cheap transparent curtain
| In an upper window. The light In the
room was dim. but Mayberry In that
swift upward glance fancied he bcheld
the shadow--an exaggerated shadow--of
mans hand appraised menacingly. The
hand was brought down with a sudden
ness. just as Maybcrry's eye fell on the
curtain, that caused him to doubt wheth.
or he had seen Alright. He stood there
looking up. II was now growing dark.
and his actions would not attract attcn.
ton.
Yes-thcre could be no doubt now.
There was the shadow OF hand on the
curtain. The hand was clenched. II was
lifted quickly, and as quickly descended.
Then a blurred object-thc figure Of a
man moving rapidly-was thrown clearly
against the curtain. and then the curtain
became as clear as II was before. 1t re-
NAMED clear.
Mayberry was impressed with the
thought that the shadows he had seen
revealed tragic page In real The hand
he had beheld uplifted was Grips hand.
1t was raised to give force to the blows
aimed at the poor. sickly woman who
had accOsted him on the street.
Mayberry stood there many minutes.
Possibly five or ten. He hoped he would
see Grip emerge from the hallway, but
the hallway gave forth no sounds. At
last. weary Of waiting. Mayberry left the
spot and went home. But oil the way
he behcld the thin, white face Of the
thin-clad woman In black, with scar on
her left temple.
Who was she? What was she to the
respectable Jackson Grip? Why did nc
scrutinize the passcrs.by. and wait until
the coast was clear before he entered
these poverty stricken premises?
These were questions Arthur Mayberry
propounded to himself rs he Quickened
his steps homeward. for It was now long
after his usual hour to sup.
(ro be continued)