New-York tribune., 1903-06-22
CHAPTER XVI.

,r1 IAcx ROGERS AS A MAN OF AFFAIRS.
'I know" said l. meeting her gaze sturdily'
that you are in danger"
How should I be in danger7"
THAT I cannot tell you. Miss Isabel unless
first you tell me something"
She waited, her eyes searching mine
last night" 1 went on-"in the road-you
were expecting some one"
Her chin went UP proudly, but tide OF red
rose with it, flushing her throat, and so creeping
I'D and coloring her face while her look turned
to defiance
Were you expecting Archibald Plinlimmon?'
She put up hand as If to push me aside dis
dainfully, but on a sudden turned away with a
sob and hastened from me, with bowed head,
toward the cottage.
Miss IsabeIr I cried, following her close. 7
meant no harm; you have been good to me
how could I mean you harm? Miss Isabel!'
She paid no heed. And yet I would not let
her go, but followed her to the door, entreatng,
even pushed after her into the small kitchen,
where at last she faced round on me.
why cannot you let me alone, boy? Into
what have you come here TO pry? You are obi
ous-yes, odousr' She stamped her foot pas
sionately And thought. last night, that you
were in trouble Was I not kind to you for that,
and that only? What have I done she
broke off pitifully "Oh. Harry I dreadfully
unhappy
She sank into chair beside the white deal
table across which she flung and so
leaned her brow upon ii and let the sobs shake
her
went to her and, kneeling, took the hand
which lay Imply at her side
And L am here to help you, Miss Isabel. Yes.
surely, l could help; only so much is puzzling
ba5 md
that it was happy one To-day you are crying.
and il is miserable to see"
..And why should not be happy" she asked.
raising her head as my fingers closed on hers
She lifted her other hand 10 the bosom Of her
bodice and u moment later gently disengaged
nv CLASH and slipped over her third finger the
ring she had worn overnight
.'Thz. should I not be expecting him?" she
murmured.
For the moment I slow in understa nding.
But 7 suppose that at length she saw that in
my eyes which satisfied her for she drew down
my head TO her zap. and sat laughing and weep
ing together. but very softly.
A kettle hanging from crook in the chimney
piece boiled over. kissing down upon the hot
wood ashes She sprang UP. lifted it down TO
the hearth and 1aced me- again sha ametacHd.
and adors bly, confused
oh and | forgot. her hand VsH' 10 mel
bodice again Mr. Jack Rogers was here this
morning inquiring for you. He drove UP in his
tilburv and said he was his way to Plyn1-
o,lth: but he left this note for you
took it. warm from her body. and deciphered
these words scrawled in an abomnable hand:
Meet me- tonight, 8 o'clock at the place
where We parted Most important. !. r.
WAS Mr. Rogers going to Plymouth
asked.
s.Yes. and in hurry. by the pace he was driv-
ing"
As YOU may guess, this news disconnected me
not a little Could Mr.. Rogers be preparing
trap? No certainly not for me. Whitmore. if
anv one was his quarry. But mistrusted that,
If he once started this game. it would lead him
on to another scent. I had little reason to be
confident in Archibald Plnimmon-I renlem-
bared the episode of Miss Piinlimmon's purse
and nv heart was sore for Isabel But l had
nov, more reason than ever for hiding what l
,e1, That he was innocent of the Jews muir
der T faIt sure Still what had he been seeking
IN the roof tv the Jews house? 1t would be an
,,elv discovery. if Mr.. Rogers blundered on IT,
80 q, ,ra ,sav of honest blundering l felt Mr-
r7cears 10 he Infinitely capable If only trust
; i- his good nature. ! had made clean
,.oae+ of IT, AS it was I had let loose hlind
-,,af+ m strike perhaps Archibald Pllnlim-
- and through him. the heart of Isabel