Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-09-08
Roaring Jack woodley for llfess

that" said Holmes. "There are two
very good reasons why she should under
no circumstances be his wife. In the
first place, we are very safe in ques-
toning Mr.. Williamson's right to SOL
emnize marriage"
II have been ordained" cried the old
rascal.
"And also unfrocked."
"Once clergyman, always clergy
man"
81 think not. How about the IL
| cense?"
I'VE had license for the marriage.
have it here in my pocket"
"Then you got 1t by trick But In
any case a forced marriage is no mar
riage, but it is a very serious felony,
as you will discover before you have
| finished. You'll have time to think the
point out during the next ten years or
So unless am mistaken. AS to you,
Carruthers, you would have done bet
ter to keep your pistol in your pocket"
II begin to think so, Mr.. Holmes, but
when thought Of all the precaution /
had taken to shield this girl-for 1
| loved her, Mr.. Holmes, and it Is the
| only time that ever knew what love
vast fairly drove me mad to think
that she was in the power of the great
est brute and bully In South Africa-a
man whose name is a holy terror from
Kimberley to johannesburg. Why, Mr.
Holmes, you'll hardly believe 1t, but
| ever since that girl has been in my
| employment I never once let her go
| past this house, where knew the ras-
Gals were lurking, without following
her on my bicycle just to see that she
came to no harm. kept my distance
from her, and wore beard so that
she should not recognize me, for she is
a good and high spirited girl, and she
wouldn't have stayed In my employ
ment long If she had thought that l
was following her about the country
roads,"
"Why didn't you tell her of her dan
ger?"
Because then, again, she would have
left me, and l couldn't bear to face
that Even if she couldn't love me it
was great deal to me just to see her
dainty form about the house and to-
bear the sound Of her voice."
WELL" said l, you call that love,
Mr.. Carruthers, but l should call it
selfshness."
Maybe the two things go together.
Anyhow, couldn't let her go. Be
sides. with this crowd about it was
well that she should have some one
near to look after her. Then, when the
cable came, knew they were bound
to make move"
what cableY'
Carruthers took telegram from his
pocket.
"That's it." said he.
1t was short and concise:
i "The old man is dead.'
"Hum!" said Holmes. II think see
4 how things worked, and I can under
stand how this message would, as you
say, bring them to head. But while
you wait you might tell me what you
can"
The old reprobate with the surplice
burst into volley of bad language.
by heaven said he. 'if you squeal
on us, Bob Carruthers, I'll serve you as
you served Jack Woodleyl You can
bleat about the girl to your hearts
content for that's your own affair, but
II you round on your pals to this plain
clothes copper it will be the worst
days work that ever you did,"
"Your reverence need not be excit-
ed" said Holmes, lighting cigarette.
s'The case is clear enough against you,
and all ask is a few details for my
private curiosity. However, If there's
any difficulty in your telling me I'll dc
the talking, and then you will see how
far you have chance Of holding back
your secrets. In the first place, three
Of you came from South Africa on this
game-you, Williamson; you, Carruth
ers. and Woodley."
"Lie number one" said the old man
II never saw either Of them until two
months ago, and l have never been In
Africa In my life, so you can put that
In your pipe and smoke 1t, Mr.. Busy
body Holmes"
What he says is true" said Car
ruthers.
"Well. well, two of you came over
His reverence Is our own homemade
article. You had known Ralph Smttl
in South Africa. You had reason t,
believe he would not live long. 70,
i found out that his niece would inheri
bis fortune. How's that-eh rs
Carruthars nodded and Williamson
swore.
"she was next of kin, no doubt. ant
you were aware that the old fellow
wuu1d make no WILL"
Couldn't read or WRITE" said Car
ruthers.
$50 you came over, the two Of yor
that one Of you was to marry her an
, the other have share Of the plumber
= For some reason Woodley was chose
. as the husband. Why was that?"
1--WE played cards for her on th
], voyage. He Won"
II see. You got the young lady int
, your service, and there Woodley wa
!. to do the counting. She recognized til
drunken brute that he was and woul
= have nothing to do with him. Near
:. while your arrangement was rather VI
? set by the fact that you had yourse
fallen in love with the lady. 70
could no longer bear the idea Of tn
ruf1an owning herr"
"No, by George, couldntp'
II There was q quarrel between 20
II He left you in rage and began
make his own plans Independently
It you.'
e. ut strikes me. Williamson, the
le isn't very much that we can tell th
" gentleman" cried Carruthers, with
<. hitter laugh. Eyes. we uuarreled, ar