Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-04-23
CHAPTER 1.
THE TRAGEpY on rHI


ne turned and swept the barely-fur-
nished room with a glance. but, still,
I'm sorry to co.
He was slender young man. with
a keen. intellectual face. and carried
himself with a certain dignity, as be-
came one who had been five years the
village schoolmaster. He was only "a
but looked much older. as the result OF
hard work and study. He did not al
ways Intend to remain simple peda-
gogue.
AS his glance fingered on the faded
hangings, the uncomfortable looking
hatrcloth furniture, the faded rag car
pet. 1t rested on small trunk in the
middle of the room, and he frowned.
II wonder what can keep the fellow?"
he muttered. He promised me faith
fully he would not disappoint'
Just then tirnid knock sounded on
the door and presently man entered,
a rough. ungainly fellow, in a dirty cam
vas suit whose Wild hair and beard
made him resemble one of those gro
tesque toys that are sold about the
streets during the holidays.
We'll, here I be-" said the newcomer
In deep. bass Voice.
Very good, Jim. Now, you will take
this trunk to the station, without say
ing whose 1T is. Let no one know 1 am
going. Understand?'
Sure
Here is for your trouble" and from
slender purse the young man passed
over silver piece. which the other, af-
ter biting, thrust in pocket. Then he
shouldered the trunk and, with a
Goodnight. guv'nor." Went out with
his burden through the door.
Bennett waited until the heard the
mans step on the front porch, then,
with parting look around the room
ho6 Ia fp,.
he blew out the lamp and slipped down
the stairs and into the night.
He made his way rapidly along the
country road. which, without the moon
light to guide him. he could have trav-
ersed safely. he knew 1t SO we'll. Pass
ing few dark houses, he came at last
to the entrance of an extensive estate,
and paused for q moment before the
great iron gate. 1t seemed to him that
the stone lions bearing shields on the
pillars on each side of the way were
grinning at him derisively II wonder
IL shall ever see this place again." he
murmured. Am l acting for the best?
i hope 80" Then, as he saw a faint
light still glimmered In the gatekeeper's
little house, he passed rapidly on. Fur
Their he found a hole in the tall hedge.
and wriggling through, entered the
park.
Evidently, 1t was not the first time
that he had found his way into the
grounds in this surreptitious way, for
here. where the old trees interlaced, not
a CLEAN of moonlight penetrated the
place. Yet he walked on without
stumbling through the blackness, COM
ing presently to another hedge, scarcely
higher than his shoulder. A silvery
radiance shone over this part of the
park. Here he paused for moment to
listen, then STEPPED back again into the
shadows. There was the sound of
rustling leaves. and then a man APP
peared In the moonlight.
Dick could only make out that he
was tall and ragged, for his face was in
the shadow of an oHerhanging Dough.
Only for a moment did the stranger
stand there, when he turned and made
off in the direction of the house. the
lights of which could be seen cleaning
In the distance
What can this ruffian be doing
here" muttered the schoolmaster. as
he came out into the path again. "A
poacher, no doubt. after Elisons fish.
Better buy such things than have a
stocked lake to attract all the wander
ing vagabonds in the country"
He approached the hedge again,
peered cautiously over, and, catching
lance. uttered a low whistle. The young
woman, for such the white object was,
running forward. opened gate in the
hedge near at hand, and came toward
him.
oh Dick!" she began impulsively,
lifting her face to hts. what does it
what can 1t all mean?"
II will tell you-but not here. Come,
we are far too near the house to talk In
peace" and he drew her away into the
shadows, but still in sight of the moon
lit path.
Finding fallen tree, he pressed her
to sit down, and then took a seat beside
her.
Nov, then. tell me quickly. Don't
you see, am burning with anxiety?"
she said
There is little more to tell you than
that l think 1T best to go away. 1t is
only question of time before / should
be sent. Your mother has learned of
our attachment, and she could easily
break 1T off, she believes"
She little knows me- replied the
Girl, firmly. After all, what can she
do?"
We'll. the first step would be to get
your father to discharge me, and that, /
believe. he contemplates doing, though
he has been friendly to the last Still,
she COULD persuade him. feel sure of
It, Then, you see, I would have to go
anyway"
But what is to become of me
what am l to do?" almost in tears She
II don't want you to go-I won't have
IT. with stamp OF the foot.
My dear. am acting for the best
firmly. My usefulness here is over
and to remain would only make matters
more disegreeable for you, as well as
me. l am going to the city, where there
Is some chance for me to show my abil-
" Il hnS fe,, ~x,l,x,
for me to rise here, and when I have
made a competence, and am in posi-
ton to take care of you as you deserve
why, we will marry, in spite of the
world"
And will that be very long-very
very long?" she asked, In doleful
voice, that caused him to laugh.
Not long If the world appreciates
my transcendent genius" with flip
pant air. Not long, IL hard work and
APPLICATION vii lift me 70 a respectable
place In society,""
Still, l think it is very mean of you
to CO." poutingly.
Don't think it is not wrench for
me to part from you"
But the girl refused to be comforted
| and it was only through lavish endear-
ments and many promises that she be-
came more composed and reasonable
and began to share his views, that IL
was for the best.
But we can't part this way" she
protested. II must give you something
to remember me by. Just wait here fol
a moment until run over to the house
I shall not be gone long," and, before he
had a chance to protest that souvenir
was not necessary, she had fitted away
out beyond the light into the shadows
After she had gone he found himself
listening to myriad of voices of the
forest, that seemed to fall with irritat
ing reiterance on his ears. He felt fal
from being in cheerful mood moi
knowing what the future might bring