Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-03-17
CHAPTER XI.
THE DIP IN THE BLUE CREEK
ROAD

was drawing Ito a. close. 1t was We'd
nesday afternoon, and by mid-after-
noon of the day following Jack Par
melee calculated that the last pole
would be stripped.
During these final days of the har-
vest Miss Densmore had contrived to
learn much of the story of ROSTERS
life, not directly, but by Inference,
and by patching together such facts
in regard to him as he had let fall
Intentionally or by accident. She
managed to break In upon his re-
serve, and had often been upon the
point Of asking him certain questions
regarding himself, yet had never done
so. OF ROSTERS admiration for her
she was aware, perhaps in meas
ure by intuition, for he had scrup-
ulously endeavored not to let his feel
ings be manifest, and she doubted if
even her. cousin had observed any
thing in his demeanor to indicate that
Her state of mind towards him she
had not seriously tried to analyze.
OF lively interest in him she was
conscious, but had any one suggested
that she cherished deeper or
warmer feeling she would have re-
PEELED the idea vehemently. The dis
covery of weaknesses in his character
had not lowered him in her estima-
ton. Indeed, her sympathies, for
that very reason, went out towards
him more strongly. She fancied she
discerned the battle he was fighting
with himself, and longed somehow,
if he would but let her, to give him
encouragement and help.
On Wednesday morning the girls
had been at their box as usual, but
they did not come into the yard to
pick in the afternoon. About three
o'clock, as Rossiter was stripping
pole in that portion of the field near
est the house, he caught sight of Miss
Merton Fastening towards him.
Where is Jacks-Mr. Parmelee?"
she called, much perturbed, as soon
as she came within speaking dis
lance.
Rossiter looked about but could see
nothing of the farm manager. Fl
nally, however, he deserted him en-
gagged in emptying box of hops in
remote part of the field.
"There he is,g.he said, sway out
yonder."
"Oh, won't you go and fetch him?
I'm all out of breath. And hurry, do,
for what have to tell him may be
very important"
Rossiter set out at sharp run, and
presently he and Parmelee came back
together. The pole-puller was about
to retire when Miss Merton stopped
him.
won't you listen, too, Mr.. Rossi-
ter" she said, ''for if there's any
trouble perhaps you can help u.s."
He acquiesced, and the two men
stood regarding the girl in expecta-
ton and wonder.
First tell me-" she said, addressing
Parmelee, "if Simpson is in the yard.
for if he is, perhaps I've had my
fright for nothing"
Simpson," exclaimed Parmelee;
"no, he's not. I've been lookin' for
him this long time. I sent him over
to the kiln on an errand more thar
half an hour ago"
"Then I'm afraid there's something
wrong" said Miss Merton, growing
more agitated, "and, oh, wish I'd
come sooner! l happened to go out
On the porch q while ago." she went
on, speaking rapidly, land saw man
running far down in the lower or
chard. He stopped under tree, and
then l noticed there were two other
men there. ] thought they were
some of the piclSers after apples-you
know they're in the habit of getting
them-and didn't pay much more at,
tention, but when l got back in the
house it came to me that the first
man seemed like Simpson, and tina,
one of the others, though, of course
couldn't really see much at that dis.
lance, had face like that creature
who frightened us at the hop-dance
went out to look again and they
were gone, SO l came to the conclu
sion that they must have leaped the
fence and taken short cut back tc
the yard, but when got to thinking
about it later, couldn't help feeling
that it was strange, so hurried over
to tell YOU"
Parmelee pursed his lips ant
seemed incredulous.
"If it want for Simpsons alb