The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-05
Xxi
Mille-Fleurs.

was NV Will ElluSG llOlu luullSlcACe VI
ignorance-I hardly thought it was indif-
ference--he had not only called attention
to his own secret passion, but laid such
trap for the object of 1t that she could
hardly fail to fall ultimately into the
hands OF the police.
Under these circumstances was 1t my
duty to proceed with the task 1 had i'm
posed upon myself? Was my help needed
when Mr.. Gryce's right-hand man was at
work? 1t would not seem so. But-as l
was happy enough to remember before
my hesitation resolved itself into action
the one clue connecting him to this muir
der was to be found in my hands, not
theirs. l alone knew where to look for
the woman who had procured him the
phtal Of poison. This in itself created an
obligation I dared not slight. I must con-
tinue my quest, if l desired to fulfill my
promise to Hope Meredith.
The day was Friday and the fsh-stalls
We're doing lively business. BY the time
/ had threaded my way through innumer-
able sheds, had got enough Of this COM
modify into my nostrils to satisfy my ap-
petite for week. l was glad when I
stepped out upon the wharf,
rs it along there you want to go?"'
asked the officer under whose protection
| moved.
[ looked and saw tluttering before me
the calico curtain which had blown in and
out Of YoX's story.
Yes; II It's where an old woman named
Merry Is to be found
IN ask"
He approached q brother officer whose
presence had not noticed, spoke to him.
aud came back.
That's the place." said he. do you
want me to go in with you?"
Not If it's safe
oh, It's safe enough at this hour. You
1,,,t A.,' y, I
Judge? Besides, III hang about the door,
and if you don't come out in ten minutes
I'll just inquire the reason why. You see,
the places on our books and we don't
want to keep too open an eye on 1t.
| was glad to be allowed to go in alone.
| had not dared TO hope for this and felt
correspondingly relieved.
An unexpectedly quiet interior met my
eye The bare walls, the busy stove, the
woman whose gaunt frame and lowering
eye | had heard described by YOX, were be-
fore me, but nothing of sinister, or even
suspicious, appearance. | had surprised
Mother Merry's quarters at happy hour;
that is, happy for her and possibly so for
me.
But perhaps I convey a wrong impress
sion in speaking Of the walls as bare.
They were not so; for, stretched from
side to side of the steam reeking, sitting
room, were lines on which coarse gar
ments were hanging up to dry; and on the
wall directly before me ! saw pair Of
rough seaman's breaches, pinned up in a
catory manner I thought best calculated
little stove which even on this mild aft
ernoon was doing it's best to keep out un-
desirable visitors.
The old woman, who was bending over
a table on which few broken victuals
lay was, without doubt, Mother Merry
herself: and, recognizing her as such. |
assumed the half audacious, half-depre-
aatory manner l thought best calculated
TO impress her. With broad smile,
thrust my hand into my pocket Then
as | perceived her hard eye melt and the
coarse lines about her mouth twist into
something which was as near encourage
ment as one could expect from a being
always on her guard against strangers, l
whispered with a careful look about me:
Anyone here? My errand won't stand
peering eyes or listening ears.
She gave me a penetrating glance.
What do you want?" she grumbled.
took out a dollar and laid it on the
table. Her hand was over it in an in
slant.
"A morsel of drug" l whispered
"Three drops of something thatll do UP
man in five minutes. The man is my
self" i added, as her eye darkened.
She continued to regard me intently for
at the hand which covered the coin.
Sorry" she muttered with reluctant
lift of that member; but I'm not in the
way of getting any such stuff Who sent
you I'd me?"
[ hesltated, then made my great ven
ture.
The man you helped out of here the
night the police came down on you. He
had better luck than I. You didn't re-
fuse it to him.
You lie!" she cried.
Startled by these uncompromisint
words. l fell back. Had l made grea
mistake?
He never got any such stuff from me,
she went on shrilly. THAT wasn't Wha
he came for, or else he made more or
fool of me than I knew
What did he come for?
Her look of inquiry turned into one o
suspicion.
you'd better go. I'm not one of the blab
bling sort
| drew out another dollar. q
Perhaps he got it upstairs lnsln
uated
''Oh!" she cried, spreading out he
long fingers so as to cover both pieces
THAT may be; those girls have strang'
ways with them"
May I have a peep at them? May
have peep at herI
The emphasis l placed on the last wore
called out from Mother Merry lons
stare. which | bore as best j could.
she hasn't drop left of what yo'
were talking about" said Mother Merr.
al last IF she gave it to him it's al
gone.
''Perhaps she can get more where SIT
got that L made bold to suggest.
The old bag gave a grunt and looked
gloatingly at the coins sparkling between
her bony fingers. 49,. o.
up" she asked
Ten
And with ten dollars in your poke
you come here for poison? ,r
Her amazement was quite real. lei
dollars in my pocket and wanting poison
1t took her some minutes to grasp IN
fact; then she said: =,
.hnd how many of these are for me .
Five"
She paved at the coins till they wer'
well under her palm.
.Ill call her down; will that do?"
Eyes"
''she may not be just right"
mo matter.
She may be all right herseH anu no
think you So
ri risk that. too
Then stand near the stove so sh
won't see you when she first comes in. Sh
wouldn't stay a minute II she did.
Obeying the old bag, l watched her sidl
IN the door already familiar to me Il
Yox's narrative; the door upstairs,
mean. AS she disappeared behind IL
glanced at the table near which she ma
been standing. The Two silver dollar
were gone.
I'm never see them again." was m