Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-10-14

ed me in tone quite in keeping with
her whole manner, that she had left
note for her husband in the book they
were reading together. Her reason for
doing this, she said, was tho very
natural one Of wishing him to come
upon 1t by chance, but Us she had
placed 1t in the front Of the book, in
stead Of in the back where they were
reading, she was afraid that he would
fail to find it. Would be SO good as
to take 1t out for her and insert it
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, 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 as
forcibly then as now, that l went to
the shelves in her room and took down
the book"
"And did you find the note where
she saidY
Yes, and put 1t in toward the end
of the story"
Nothing more7 Did you read the
note"
ut was folded" was Miss Tuttle's
quiet answer.
You did not remain before these
bookshelves longT observed the cor
oner.
You have a witness who knows
more about that than do" she sug-
gested, and, doubtless aware Of the
temerity Of this reply, waited with un-
moved countenance, but with visibly
bounding breast, for what would
doubtless prove fresh attack.
1t was q violent one and Of a char
ecter 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 a moment her hands were
over her ears.
"Why do you do that?" he asked.
"Did you think was going to dis
charge itT'
She smiled pitifully as she let her
hands fall again.
u have dread of firearms" she ex-
planned. II 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 complete breaking up of
her hitherto well maintained compo-
sure altered her whole aspect, and she
vehemently cried:
II did, did! was on Waverley
avenue that night, and heard the shot
which in all probability ended my sis
ter's life. walked farther than / in
tended. strolled into the street which
had such bitter memories for US, and I
heard-no, I was not in search of my
sister. had not associated my sister,
going out with any intention of visit
Ing this house. was merely troubled
IN mind and anxious and-and"-
fAnd so under similar impulse you,
a. well as Mr.. jeffrey, chose this un-
canny place to ramble in. To all ap-
pearance that old hearth acted much
| more like loadstone upon members
| Of your family than you were willing
at one time to acknowledge"
"You say 'ramble through Do you
for moment think that I entered that
old house?"
Miss Tuttie," was the grave, almost
sad, reply, did you not know that in
some earth, dropped from fowerpot
overturned at the time when hundred
guests few in terror from this house,
there is to be seen the mark of foot.
step-a footstep which you are at lib.
erty to measure with your ownT'
"Ah! she murmured, her hands 60.
ing up to her face.
But in another moment she had
dropped them and looked directly at
the coroner.