Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-03-28
tcoD5ri1A.. 10. ~ w,lli.n wall... Cook

mat came 10 hano several days !!
ago."
Here is another. Mr.. McCloud,"
said Mrs. Gorten, rendering him a
letter; after you have read it, If you
can spare the time we will tell you the
nature Of our errand to this part of
the country. We are entire strangers
here and are very grateful to Mr.. Orms-
by for directing Us to you"
They resumed their seats and Darrell |
drew a chair near and excused himself |
while he read the communication from
Ormsby. The envelope was sealed,
which Darrell accounted strange If It
contained simply letter of introduce
ton.
AS he read, the eyes of the two la
dies stole furtively to his face. They
were not prepared for the sudden
Wilderness they saw there, the sharp,
almost imperceptible compression OF
barrels thin lips. the convulsive move,
ment Of the slim, white fingers that
held the sheet from which he was read
ing. Puzzled and interrogative glances
passed between the elderly lady and
her niece.
Darrell seemed abstracted. He held
the letter long enough to have read it
half dozen times. The writing ran
as follows:
BY Mrs. qorton and Miss Avery. There
Is something about the man whom they
are seeking which they do not know and
which 90 not care to have them know
Jet awhile. In your own time and when
you think best you may give them the
Information Through private sources
have learned that the man has taken an
other name. and when these tactics are
resorted to 1t is clear that something is
wrong. Miss Avery has experienced
| much sorrow and I would not care to add
one straw to her burden. II it could be-
helped. You understand, do you not?
You will help them. know, and please
| be little tactful in what you do. The
name now used by the one they desire
| to find 10 Sturgis, Jack Sturgis. He was
last heard Of at Sandy Bar. near Ana
! conda.
"Is there any bad news from Mr..
Ormsby. Mr.. McCloud?" asked Mrs.
Gorton, in an asitated tone.
I'VE must not anticipate, Mrs. Cor
ton," answered Darrell, with an en-
couraging smile. O. he put the letter
away. IT you will tell me in what
way ! can serve you. shall be most
happy to do all can"
Thank you." came from Miss Avery,
In a low voice. Then she looked to-
ward her aunt as though desiring that
she should make the necessary explain
| atoms.
I'VE have come here to find Elise's
father" said Mrs. Gorton. HE has
been absent from home for five years
and during the last year no word what
ever has been received from him
Naturally we can draw but one infer
ence"-she cast hasty glance in her
companions direction-"yet, in the alb
sence of any positive knowledge. we
cannot but have some hope"
Darrell bent his head thoughtfully on
his hand. The next moment the girls
voice came to him TREMENDOUSLY.
What would you advise us to do,
Mr.. McCloud?"
please describe your father to me-
he returned. looking.
She did SO. A CLINT darted into OAR
rel's eyes. Between the Sturgis he
knew and the man described by Miss
Avery there were material differences.
elise speaks Of her father as she
saw him last, five years ago." spoke w
Mrs. Gorton. He must have changed
since he came west"
You have not seen your father fol
five years?" asked Darrell, his eye.
on the girls face.
mo"
And it has been year since 20,
heard from him?"
YES"
From what part of Montana did hi
last letter Gomez"
From Helena
, "Then do you not think that Helen
would be the best place to go an
search for him?"
"Mr. Ormsby has instituted some In
quiries and thought it best for us t
come here, meet you and, If you woul
be SO good as to help US, go on to Sand
Bar"
I In measure, Ormsby had cut tn
, ground out from under Darl els fee
He had withheld from the girl the as
a sumed name Of her father but ha
named the locality where he might /
found.
! ormsby was inconsistent. Not on
d that, but he had heaped upon Darr
q the unforeseen results Of his incol
i sistency.
j. What is your fathers full. nam
/. Miss Avery?" Darrell inquired.
Ezra Avery"
q Again Darrell lapsed into silence.
d II shall do my utmost to help you
q said he, finally. land will make 20,
cause my own. There are no 9TH
g demands upon my time and / can gi'
IS this my undivided attention. But
IS shall want you to agree to one thi1
q beforehand"
What is that Mr.. McCloMd?" +
70 turned Mrs. Gorton.
a II shall want you to let me ha
10 entire charge Of the search for N
If Avery"
IS I'VE shall be grateful to you for !
o lieving us Of that responsibility" sa
the girl.
Ell II am peculiar man, in some r
a spects." resumed Darrell. II shall p
my heart and soul into this matter al
you must trust my Judgment impaie!
l. ly II seem dilatory, or II do thin
you cannot understand, will you co
g tinue to have confidence in me ev
h though offer no expl Anations?"
Is A puzzled look crossed the cid
lady's face. Her companion. hawevt