Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-05-21
CHAPTER VIII.
STONE WALLS DO NOT Make A
PRISON

STONE WALLS DO NOT Make A
PRISON."
Job had no trouble in finding his
way to the lawyers house, despite
the gathering night. He walked like
man who is sure of his way. AS
he came nearer the humble looking
cottage he paused for a moment In
| hesitation.
Looks like the abode of innocence
and peace" he muttered. "Foxes are
careful not to betray the character
of their holes from the outside. 1
wonder how the years have dealt with
the worthy Henslow? L hardly
thought man of his ambitions
would be satisfied to rust in coun-
try town all his life
He approached nearer the house,
and stood for a mament looking up
at the windows.
if the family are all away. AT least
she is here, and that is all care for.
should not like greatly to come
In contact with the lawyer.
He moved around to the side Of the
building, and stood for amoment de-
batting what to do under the circum-
stances. The place wore such de-
serted look that no was undecided.
AS he stood there in the shadows Of
tree he was aware of a step in the
road, and drew back closer into the
| shadows A man came In view
whose features he could not make out
but who seemed to be dressed in we'll
fitting clothes. and carried himself with
a certain jaunty air.
The newcomer as he approached
! the house, seemed to be looking from
right to left, as IL he feared to be
seen. He walked past the building,
| peering into the shadows. Job Hen
| bricks crowded back against the fence
among the bushes and wondered why he
was not discovered.
The stranger, having satisfied him
self that there was no one in the
neishborhocd went up to the front
door OF the cottage and raped ON it
softly and In peculiar way.
Job was instinctively drawn near
to watch what happened. Presently
the door was opened cautiously, and
an elderly man with q white beard,
shading a lamp with one hand, APP
peared to be surprised to see his
| visitor, for he uttered an exclamation
that was hardly expressive of welcome.
| The other, without a word, slipped into
the hall, and the door closed noiselessly
| behind him.
/ So HensloW Is up to his old tricks
again." muttered Job Hendricks. HE
still receives people by night on the sly.
| wonder who that fellow was? 1t seems
to me that his figure was familiar. Bah!
| What difference does 1t make. / have
something more important on hand
1 than the lawyers visitors. 1t will keep
him occupied for while, so matters
could not have arranged themselves
| better for me-"
On the side of the house was small
gate. which evidently communicated
With the rest of the building, and Job,
AFTER a moments thought, pushed this
| open and entered narrow path that
led along the walls of the house.
AS he made his way slowly and cau-
t1ousiy along, he became aware of q
strange humning sound, as IL some one
/ was grooming lullaby. The moon had
now risen, and. as he reached the back
of the house. he saw a slender,
womanish figure seated under tree in
the garden He passed her unobserved,
MS feet making no noise on the grass.
/ Then he stood for moment contem-
plating the girlish figure. 1t was her
singing that he had heard as he came
| along. She sat there, her face resting
on one arm, which was flung about a
lower branch of the tree, looking very
sad In her black dress, which accentu-
ated the pallor of her face.
JOB did not move, his eyes fixed
yearningly on the white features,
while his lips moved, though not a
sound came from them. Many minutes
he stood there motionless as If he
could not look enough at the girl before
him.
Though he made no sound or be-
trayed any more life than the trees in
the garden, she seemed to learn in
stinctively that she was not alone, and,
turning, rose with an exclamation.
Who are you; what do you want?"
/ AS she spoke she advanced few
PAGES toward him in the moonlight.
She did not betray any fear at seeing a
strange man in the garden at night.