Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-11-29
CHAPTER, XIV.

evidently for the purpose of impressiny
upon the listeners sense of their inipOr-
lance. They were discussing the murder.
One was a large, red-faced man, with
bead-like eyes and a bUlbons nose. He
wore nashy clothes. and fumblcd q large
watch seal. His breath smelled Of onions
the passengers next him turned aside.
His comrade was a small, dark man.
with hooked nose, curling lips that
seemed to he sneering at his nose. and to
add to sinister cOuntenance he had
Il east In one eye. The first word the
large man said arrested 1rene's ntten-
ton.
II wish ! was as sure Of thousand
dollars as We are Of catching him."
1.-THE chief says he can put his hand
right on him."
"ies. l know-he's preparing q little
surprise for him. that's ALL"
II was the third person there. said
ut Once--any professional could see II ut
a glance--that there wasn't any suicide"
The big man looked up and down the
car. His gross look, his intense vulgar
ity, everything about him excited the
profound aversion Of Irene. The men
sat opposite her. They prolonged the con.
versation evidently for her benefit.
"A pretty hard place, Number"
| Irene started. Where had she seen or
read Of Number - - streetY
There was a brief silence. then the
lesser Of the two suddenly said: II un.
derstand there are two or three people
seen the murderer. 'Twon't be hard to
identify him."
mo! And It won't be hard to hang
him. The next man caught will stand
u poor show. They've been too easy; ;
now they've got to make an example,"
Now, for the first time, Number -
- street" caused Irene to feel faint
sick at heart. That was the place
where a horrible murder or suicide was
committed. 1t was the place her father
was requested to visit.
Could It be possible his name could be
connected In any way with the horrible
occurrence? Irene could not remain In
the car moment longer. While the po-
llcemen Were airing their Office and pre-
tensions, she quietly got of the car.
Once more on the street, she scarcely
knew which way to tSrn. The thoughts
suggested by the remarks she had heard
distressed her much more than she had
thought any similar incident would affect
her.
She walked at random for q few min.
utes. to give herself time to collect her
thoughts. Az she was Fastening rapidly
on, looking neither to the right nor left,
she encountered Mr.. Mayberry. Mayber.
ry attracted her attention by removing
his hat. They met face to face.
He had crossed the street, and was
turning In the same direction, when he
paused. hat In hand, aud seemed to hesi-
tate to walk on or turn In another direc-
ton. Irene felt the color flaming In her
cheeks. A minute before she was very
pale. Mayberry noted the change.
Miss Athcrton"
"Mr. Mayberryw
She did not know whether to say more.
or permit him to pass ahead Of her, ~ he
evidently resolved to do. He was quick.
. ening his steps when . low voice arrest.
cd him.
"Mr. Mayberry, I have something to
say to YOU"
He walked beside her respectfully
More than one passer.by looked admiring.
ly at the handsome young couple; the man
, with the bearing Of spirited young man
In high health, with q face inviting con
. fdence; the woman with eyes Hike stars
, and rosy cheeks. all too rare.
II will not detain you moment"
. II am not In hurry at all. Anythin,
can do-any way may be able to serv,
yOu-cOmmand me-"
"Will you tell me what was In the pa
I per you gave my father, Mr.. Maybcrry 2
/ He was nonplused. The question wo,
!. ~ unexpected. he was not able to rcpl,
, instantly. Then he said to himself tina
. would never do.
ut was a partial agreement your faith
or and ! arrived at, Miss Atherton."
!. "Of what nature?"
q She was very-very direct. How coul.
r he avoid telling her? He would-fb. Blu
when he met her eyes. his resolve melted
n She seemed to be looking through him.
a III ! speak ut all, Ill tell You tn,
9 truth. I'd rather not--indeed, you ough
|. not to expect me to talk to you Of tn
q affair at ALL"
!. She paid no attention TO the last portion
j of this speech. Again came her ques
zion, sharp. direct. almost imperative:
r what was the agreement? OF cours
d you would not tell me anything hut tn
4 truth. Mr.. Mayberry. Who made tn
/. agreement first ?-who suggested It
What was 1t about? My father mad
= the first offer. didn't hep
v lHlS - UNFAIR, MISS AtnertOu,
( "Then something happened-you d.
4 not. could not, satisfy him-he was unreG
sonable, and SO you voluntarily gave hi
10 back paper that you thOught-thn
e now-is worth money, maybe great DEF
Of money to yOu."
10 my dear Miss Atherton." exclaime
70 Mayberry, pausing suddenly on the stree
n and staring ut her In amazement. "Notl
10 ing OF the sort. That Is, you have mil
% conceived the matter altogether. 70
,r do your father--you do me-injustice."
II II am rejOiced to learn It,"
# Upon my soul. you have"
ID "rhen You will please explain, 10
le can understand It,"
And SO 1t happened that the demul
re little puss accomplished her object befol
er Mayberry suspected her tactics. She ha
10 purposely Numbered, trusting to him
ut set her right.
ne He began at the beginning, and relate
the facts. He omitted all reference
h. Mr.. Grip. He was too manly to chara
terize Mr.. Gripp's conduct In that gel
~ tleman's absence. That was matt'
he hoped he would be able to do full ju
tice to. with Mr.. Grip before him.
"Now ! know you have been cand
q, with me-" said Irene slowly.
Hhs was blushins for her father-f
10 herself. She somshow connected d
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