Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-09-12
Therefore l could pity her,


even forgot me, who was probably moth
ing more than a fitting shadow to her
"A silk gown" she murmured. "I
Will buy Lizzie silk gown Oh, where
uld IL come from, the good, good gold
the beautiful gold, so little, but enough
to make her look fine, my Lizzie, my
pretty, pretty Lizzie?"
No numbers this time. The gift was
too overpowering for her even to re.
member that it must be hidden away.
10 gloat over it, she must keep it in
her hand. l walked away while her de-
light was still voluble. Somehow if
eased me to have done her this little
benefit, and l think it eased the men
too. At all events, every hat was off
When l passed them again on my way
back to the Knollys gateway.
had left both the girls there but |
found only one awaiting me. Lucetta
had gone in, and so had Hannah. Why
was soon TO know.
What do you suppose that detective
wants OF Lucetta now?' asked Loreen
as l took my station again at her side.
while you We're talking over there to
Mother Jane he stepped over here, and
with word CT two induced Lucetta to
walk away toward the house. See there
they are in those thick shrubs near the
right wing. He seems to be pleading
with her. Do you think l ought to Join
them and find out what he is urging
upon her so earnestly? / don't like to
1r,ft-, l,,e T n.
agitated, You know, and his business
cannot be an indifferent one after all he
has discovered going on i'll our house. "
"No, agreed, land vet | think
Lucetta will be strong enough to sus-
tain the conversation, Judging from the
very erect attitude she is holding now.
Perhaps he thinks she can tell him
where 20 DAG. lhey seem ii niue at -.
over there, and living, as you do, few
rods from Mother Jane, he may imagine
that from some sign or other she can
direct him where to first plant the
spade,
Its an insult, cried Loreen. "All
these talks and visits are insults. To be
sure. this detective has some excuse,
but
"Watchr' | interrupted. "Lucetta
is shaking her head and looking very
positive. She will prove to him it is an
insult We need not interfere, think.
But Loreen had grown pensive and
did not heed my suggestion. a look
that was almost wistful had supplanted
the expression of indignant revolt with
which she had addressed me, and when
next moment the two we had been
watching turned and came slowly to-
ward US it was with decided energy for
her she bounded forward aud joined
them
"What is this?" she asked. what
does Mr. Gryce want, Lucetta:''
Mr. Gryce himself spoke.
II want her. - said he, 'to give me
just a little clew from her Utmost
thoughts. When was in your house, I
he explained, with careful considera- I
ton for me and my relations to these
girls, which was one Of the good points .
with which he offset some which We're
of an eXasperating nature to me, II
saw something III her attitude, being,
as you may surmise, something OF
keen observer, which convinced me that
as a dweller in this lane Miss knollys
was not without her suspicious as to
the secret cause Of the dread mysteries
which | have been sent here to clear up.
Today | have frankly asked her, and
she-she will not tell me, Miss Loreen.
Yet her face shows even at this moment
that my old eyes We're not at fault III
my reading of her, She does suspect
somebody, and it is not Mother Jane.
"How can you say that?' began Lu-
cetta, but the eyes which Loreen that
moment turned upon her seemed TO
trouble her, for she did not attempt to
say any more-only looked equally OBJ
stinate and distressed.
eff Lucetta suspects any one, Loreen
now remarked steadily, then l think
she ought to tell you just who and
why"
"You do. Then perhaps you Conn
menced Mr.. Gryce-"can persuade her
rs to her duty. he finished as ne saw
aer head rise in protest OF what he evil
IDENTIFY had intended to demand.
"Lucetta will not yield to persua-
sion, was her quiet reply. Nothing
short of conviction will move the sweet
ast natured but the most determined OF
all nv mothers children. What she
thinks is right she will do l Will not
attempt to influence her
Mr.. Gryce, with one comprehensive
survey of the two, hesitated no longer.
saw the rising Of the blood into his
forehead. which always precedes the
of one of his great moves,
and filed with a sudden excitement, L
awaited his next words as tyro awaits
he first unfolding of the plan he has
seen working in the brain of some IA
nous strateglst
"Miss Knollys very tone was
changed. changed in way to make us
al start Notwithstanding the prepare
ion his momentary silence had given
,s-..I have been thus pressing and per-
,aps rude in my appeal because OF
which has come 10 my knowI-
,dge which cannot but make you OF all
persons extremely anxious as to the
meaning of this terrible mystery. am
m old man and you will not mind my
,luntness. have been told-and your
,pitation tells me it is true-that you
AVE a lover, Mr.. Ostrander
"Ahr' She had sunk as If crushed
~ one terrific blow to the earth. Inc
ives. the lips, the whole pitlful face
hat was upturned TO MS remain III my