Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-04-02
CHAPTER XIX

CHAPTER XIX.
Martha Coles son had reason to think
he was Swallowed. From the evening of
the day on which the body of the muir
dered woman was found hanging TO a
hook in her ROOM to the evening of the
day he delivered a note from Grip to
Miss Atherton, Bob Walters had a haunt
ing fear Of trouble.
Mr.. Grip seemed to be so resolute, SO
severe was his eye, and so impressive his
charges concerning dead silence, that the
boy began to think Mr.. Grip was either
the master mind Of some unlawful con-
spiracy or scheme, or chief of band of
counterfeiters. He confessed to his
mother an hour before she called ON
Gripp.
This was the direct result Of Irene
Atherton's action. There was something
in the manner of Grips messenger that
excited distrust and suspicion. She had,
the moment the messenger disappeared,
regretted she had not adopted some
means OF discovering whence he came.
Accident enabled her to accomplish this
object later in the day. a lad she well
knew referred, in her presence, to the
boy who delivered the mysterious note.
Cohihb IAiIS IVY hilSo ANhCL lOll
said:
''Do you know the name of the boy you
met coming here?"
1T was only Bob Walters"
Then | want you to follow Bob--ind
him, If you can, but don't let him see you
watching him. Follow him wherever he
goes. IL he goes home, stay near the
house as much as you can, until it grows
| do rly hoyn 20
see what / will give you, If you do as
tell you"
This was one CT Bob Walters alarms.
His sometime playfellow was more to be
dreaded than ghost. Mr.. Grips dollar
felt like ton in his pocket.
The other worse than khost was in re-
atty a detective A man who had no
good reason to appear on the street, in
that neighborhood, every other hour A
man Bob Walters had accidentally dis
covered was detective on the regular po-
lice force. The presence of this man in
the neighborhood proved too much for
Bob. He took his mother into his conf
dence in sheer misery.
When lrene's trusty agent reported
progress she gave him half a dollar,
whereupon lie stood upon his head. Irene
was glad she had discovered the where
abouts of the boy, on her fathers ac-
count. He had betrayed such alarm and
agitation, that she surmised it must be a
matter of the utmost moment to him.
She had washed and put the dishes
away, swept the hearth and made the
living room tidy, when a rap at the door
an unexpected visitor evidenty-sum-
moned her to the parlor.
When Irene opened the doar she was
surprised to find Mr.. Mayberry stand
ing there. She did not, however, betray
surprise. She placed a seat forsher Nis-
itor, made some passing remark about
the weather, and instantly Arthur May
berry felt at home.
WAS her father in?"
"No. but he would be in probably in
half an hour
Mr.. Mayberry talked about the i'm
provements in that portion of the city
of the last tragedian who visited the
city. of the fashions, the pulpit orator
whose name was uppermost, and sudden.
ly, without the slightest warning, plung
ed into the subject nearest his heart.
Miss Atherton"-he had turned hi,
face toward her, was gazing earnestly
into her eyes-"I am indebted to yol
more than ! can express. Mr. Mead wa.
SO impressed by your statement that h,
, has told me he will give me the first hear
| ing, in case | ever have any enterprise I,
suggest that promises we'll"
= Irene was silent What could she say
She could not promise him the same he
5 father had promised him. Nor coul,
I she refer to the unfortunate agreement
She was debating in her mind whethe
she should endeavor to excuse her faith
!, er's action. Then she reflected that tn
advice contained in the old saying, 9TH
least said the soonest mended," shoul
/, be her guide So she remained silent,
>. If you will not be offended" said Al
e thur Mayberry, II will reciprocate; til
It kindness you have shown demands som
It return on my part"
II think she said, with Il smile, lit
best not to endeavor to balance this II,
e count One or the other will persist i
returning the favor"
+, But she was secretly gratitied that tn
matter had taken less disagreeabl
] turn.
n II suppose Mr.. Mead understands. an
lie appreciates the value OF my fathers il
s. vention?' she said presently; but NJ
n Mayberry eyaded the question skillfun,
lie He had two-fold object TO Sc
ii Anterior, possibly; but he was glad ,
the excuse to call on Miss Atherton,
~ see and talk TO her. To see il her Il
st telligence and manners were as charm
l ing as her features. He was head an
u. heels in love--he confessed 1t to himse
OF but he thought he was able to resi-
the efforts Cupid to inveigls him b