Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-08-17
Mas Nixon

ueCi WuOle ulullueE, tluS Bic Auu le1l u
note. for her husband in the book they
were reading together. Her reason for
doing this, she said, was the very
natural one of wishing him to come
upon 1t by chance. but as she had
placed it in the front of the book, in
stead Of in the back where they We're
reading, she was afraid that he would
to take it out for her and insert 1t
again somewhere near the end? She
was in hurry or she would return
and do it herself. AS she and Mr..
Jeffrey had parted in anger, I hailed
with joy this evidence Of her desire
for reconciliation, and it was in
obedience to her request, the singular
ity of which did not strike me rs
forcibly then as now, that went to
the shelves In her room and took down
the book"
"And did you find the note where
she said?'
Eyes, and put it in toward the end
of the story"
..Nething Thing. moro s--4 Did yea -read the
note"
at was folded" was Miss Tuttle's
quiet answer.
you did not remain before these
bookshelves long," observed the cor
oner.
You have witness, who knows
more about that thun. ! d." she sug-
gested, apd, doubtless aware of the
temeritN bf this reply, waited with un-
moved countenance, but with yisibly
bounding breast, for what would
doubtless prove fresh attack.
1t was violent one and of char
acter she was least fitted to meet. TAX
ing up the box have SO often men,
toned, the coroner drew away the
ribbon lying on top and disclosed the
pistol. In moment her hands were
over her ears.
did you think l was going to dis
charge it7'
She smiled pitifully as she let her
hands fall again.
Il have dread of firearms" she ex-
planned. 81 always have had. Now
they are simply terrible to me, and this
|
one"-
II understand" said the coroner
with slight glance In the direction OF
Durbin. They had evidently planned
this test together on the strength OF
an idea suggested to Durbin by her for.
mer action when the memory Of this
shot was recalled to her.
"Your horror seems to lie in the d.
rection Of the noise they make" con.
tinued her memorable interlocutor
zone would say you had heard this
pistol discharged"
Instantly a complete breaking up OF
her hitherto well maintained compo
sure altered her whole aspect, and she
vehemently cried:
~ did, did! was on Waverley
avenue that night, and heard the shot
which in all probability ended my sis
ter's life. walked further than in
tended. Istrolled into the street which
had such bitter memories for us, and ]
heard-no, was not In search of my
sister. had not associated my sisters
going out with any intention Of visit
ing this house. l was merely troubled
in mind and anxious and-and"-
"And SO under similar impulse you
as well as Mr.. Jeffrey, chose this I'm
canny place to ramble in. To all up
4 pearance that old hearth acted mucl
more like loadstone upon members
of your family than you We're Willing
Mt one time to acknowledge"
"You say 'ramble through Do 70,
for moment think that entered tina
old house"
Miss Tuttle," was the grave, almos
sad, reply, "did you not know that II
some earth, dropped from flowerpo
overturned at the time when a hundre,
guests flew in terror from this house
there is to be seen the mark of foot
step-a footstep which you are ut lii
erty to measure with your own"
"Ah!" she murmured, her hands &c
ing up to her face.
But in another moment she ha(
dropped them and looked directly u
the coroner.
Il walked there-I never said that
did not walk there-when I went latel
to see my sister and in sight of nun
Der of detectives passed straigh
through the halls and into the library
"And that this footstep," inexorabl,
proceeded the coroner, sis not in lin,
with the main thoroughfare extending
from the front to the back of the house
but turned inward toward the wall, al
if she who made 1t had stopped to lear
her head against the partitionY
Miss Tuttle's head dropped.
"If went into the house." she said
ut was not to enter that room. had
too great dread of it. If rested my
head against the wall it was in terror
Of that shot. 1t came SO suddenly and
was 80 frightful, SO much more fright,
full than anything you can conceive"