Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-08-30

q heartbroKen sign. "l-oor veronica, .
Wretched Veronica! How shall ever
tell him? How, how can we ever pre-
pare him?'
The captain took advantage Of this
reference to Mr.. Jeffrey to ask where
that gentleman was. The young lady
did not seem eager to reply, but when
pressed, answered, though somewhat
mechanically, that 1t was impossible
for her to say; Mr.. jeffrey had many
friends, with any one Of whom he
might be enjoying social evening.
But it Is far past midnight now"
remarked the captain. us he In the
habit of remaining out lateW
Sometimes" she family admitted.
Two or three times since his marriage
he has been out till. l."
Were there other causes for the
young brides evident disappointment
and misery besides the one intimated?
There certainly was some excuse for
thinking so.
Possibly some one Of us may have
shown his doubts in this regard, for
the woman before us suddenly broke
forth with this vehement assertion:
"Mr. jeffrey was loving husband
to my sister-a very loving husband"
she emphasized. Then. growing des-
perately pale, she added, ~ have never
known a better man." and stopped.
Some hidden anguish in this cry,
some self consciousness in this pause,
suggested to me possibility which
was glad to see ignored by the captain
In his next question.
when a..a you see your sister last2"
be asked. Were you at home when
bhe left her husbands house7"
"AlasW she murmured. Then, see.
Ing that a more direct answer was ex-
pected Of her, she added with as little
appearance Of effort as possible: II
was at home, and heard her go out.
But had no idea that it was for any
purpose other than to join some social
gathering"
Dressed this way?"
The captain pointed to the floor, and
her eyes followed. Certainly Mrs. JET
frey was not appareled for an evening
company. AS Miss futile realized the
trap into which she had been betrayed
her words rushed forth and tripped
each other up.
II did not notice. She often wore
black. 1t became her. Ny sister was
eccentric"
Worse, worse than useless. Some
slips cannot be explained away. Miss
futile seemed to realize that this was
Dne of them, for she paused abruptly,
with the words half finished on her
tongue. Yet her attitude commanded
respect, and I for one was ready to &C.
cord it to her.
Certainly such woman was not to
be seen every day, and if her replies
lacked candor. there was a nobility in
her presence which gave the lie to any
doubt. At least, that was the effect
she produced on me. Whether or not
her interrogation shared my feeling ]
could not so readily determine, for his
attention as well as mine was sudden
ly diverted by the cry which now es
capped her lips.
"Her watch! Where is her watch:
It is gone! l saw it on her breast, and
it's gone. It hung just-just where
Waltz cried one of the men who
had been peering about the floor. "Is
this itY
he nelo alo1r small object blazing
with Jewels.
Eyes," she gasped, trying to take It.
But the officer gave 1t to the captain
instead.
ut must have slipped from her as
she fell" remarked the latter, after Q
cursory examination of the glitterine
trinket. 1.-THE pin by which she attach
ed 1t to her dress must have been inse
curely fastened" Then quickly ant
with sharp look at Miss Tuttle, "De
you know If this was considered ar
accurate timepiece?"
Eyes. Why do you ask2 Is IT,
"Look!" He held it up with the face
toward US. The hands stood at thir
teen minutes past I. 1.-THE hour and
FsAncis Jeffrey