The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-11-27

| meV
"You admit that whoever he was he
wasn't sickY'
"Of course he wasn't sick. How
could he be sick If he wasn't any
body?''
There was a sudden rustling in the
hall, and Helen swept into the room,
her eyes flashing fire.
Buck, leave the roomv' she COM
manded In no uncertain tone. Buck
gave a glance at his sister, which told
him he had better obey, and walked
out reluctantly.
you have been listening" said
CURLY.
II have not. l was coming through
the hall and heard your last remark"
"And you infer that was trying to
get a secret which does not at all con-
Germ me?"
81 most assuredly do"
you are mistaken. | care no more
for what occurs in this house than for
wear. l had another object in ques-
tioning your brother"
II dare say you had"
81 wished to discover If he could keep
q secret"
81 dare say you did"
81 have intended nothing dishonor-
able"
"Fudger' She snapped her fingers
| and her eyes at the same time.
"You don't believe me. Very well,
don't believe that you were not caves
dropping"
II was not eavesdropping" she cried
holly. You have the word of a south
ern lady"
"And was not trying to get your
secret. You have the word of a.
| stopped short. | had run against a
snag. She gave me glance of con-
tempt and triumph. Her head was up,
little to one side, her nostrils dilatod,
her breath slow and measured.
miss Stanforth," | said-I was near
| betraying what demanded secrecy-"I
will prove to you before night-no, not
| before night, but soon-that l had an
| other object. | will no longer remain
in a house the inmates of which,
made step toward the door.
"Mr. Branderstane"
"Miss Stanforth!'
"In addition to sailing under false
| colors you are now going to endanger
your life by
Fudge! What is my life to you"
snapped my fingers.
"a good deal just now. 1t is I'M
pleasant to have a person die on ones
| hands"
l was In no condition for this en-
| counter. A buzzing was going on in
| my ears, a tingling sensation In my
limbs. My knees were giving way
and | was obliged to sit down on the
sofa. l looked longingly at bottle Of
brandy that stood on the table, but was
| too proud to ask for 1t. In a moment
Helen had poured some of the liquor
into a tumbler and held 1t to my lips
drank reviving draft. She put
| her hands on my shoulders and gently
| forced me to lie down.
"This must not occur again." she
said. you have no strength to go, and
have no right to excite you while in
your present condition. believe what
you told me-" She put out her hand.
Pardon" | said humbly. "When
| calm, would as soon think of accusing
you of eavesdropping as l would accuse
Diana Of unchastity. l have been I'M
gallant, rude-rude to woman"
Forget it. Lie still, and you will
soon be yourself again." She sat down
| by a table and took up book. Il will
sit here and read while you recover
your strength"
She read for perhaps half an hour.
| supposed she was interested in the
book, for she turned one page after an
| other and seemed TO have forgotten me.
At last she put down the volume, and
by her first words convinced me that
instead of being interested in II she
had been thinking of my puzzling iden-
tity
81 want to ask you one question"
"Ask It."
"Where did you come from the day
the shooting occurredY
Huntsville"
She had asked the one question and
had received her reply. | knew by her
expression that she wanted to ask an-
other
81 suppose you were there long enough
to become acquainted with the city.
It's beautiful place"
II was there week"
The limit of one question having been
| overstepped In this indirect fashion, 1t
was easier for her to proceed.
"What were you doing therep
Looking for some one"
"a man"
"Yes."
"What forw
did not reply ut once. was think
ing of some plan by which 10 put an
end to her catechislng.
IF tell you" / said presently. win
To be continued