Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-31
herself. First shot," she said. with

hC DO3Go w Aln WloL6 Mas AiAAASASs
"Good heavens!" ne said. moving slow
ly toward the door. Poor fellow|
"Come back" said the widow, tug
ging at his coat.
II was--was going to see-whether
could do anything for 'im," quavered
the boatswain. Poor fellow!'
you stay where you are" CON-
manded Mrs. Waters. II don't want
any witnesses. l don't want this
house to have bad name. I'm going
to keep 1t quiet"
"Quiet7" said the shaking boatswain.
How
"First thing to do" said the widow
thoughtfully. "is to get rid OF the
body. III bury him in the garden.
think. There's a very good bit of
ground behind those potatoes. You'll
find the spade in the tool house."
The Mortified Mr.. Bonn stood stock
still regarding her.
while you're digging the grave"
continued Mrs. Waters calmly, I'm 60
in and clean up the mess"
AG OOulS w din lCCACA Nuu lNCn AOA1-
bled with trembling fingers at his col
lar.
Like man In dream he stood
watching as she ran to the tool house
and returned with spade and pick;
like man In dream he followed her
on to the garden.
"Be careful" she said sharply:
"you're trcading down my potatoes"
The boatswaln stopped dead and
stared at her. Apparently unconscious
OF his gaze, she began to pace out the
measurements and then, placing the
tools In his hands, urged him to lose
no time.
It'll bring him down when you're
gone" she said, looking toward the
house.
The boatswain wiped his damp brow
with the back Of his hand. How are
you going to get It downstairsY he
breathed.
Drag itr' said Mrs Waters briefly.
Suppose he isn't dead?" said the
boatswain, with q CLEAN OF hope.
"F'iddlesticks!" said Mrs. Waters.
"Do you think / don't know1 Now,
don't waste time talking, and mind
you dig 1t deep. I'll put few cab
bages on top afterward I've got
more than want"
She re-entered the house and ran
lightly upstairs. The candle was still
alight, and the gun was leaning
against the bedpost, but the visitor
had disappeared. Conscious Of an odd
feeling Of disappointment she looked
round the empty room.
"Come and look at him." entreated a
voice, and she turned and beheld the
amused countenance Of her late prls-
oner at the door.
1--WE been watching from the back
window" he said, holding. you're
a wonder; that's what you are. Come
and look at him."
Mrs. Waters followed and, leaning
out Of the window, watched with sim
pie pleasure the efforts Of the amateur
sexton. Mr.. Benn was digging like
one possessed, only pauslng at inter-
walls to straighten his back and to cast
a fearsome glance around him. The
only thing that marred her pleasure
was the behavior of Mr.. Travers, who
was struggling for place with all the
fervor Of citizen at the lord mayors
show.
"Get back!' she said in a fierce
whisper. Hell see your
Mr.. Travers with obvious reluctance
obeyed just as the victim looked up.
SIS that you, Mrs. Waters| nQuir-
ed the boatswain fearfully.,
Eyes, OF course it is," snapped the
widow. "Who else should it be, do
you think7 Go on! What are you
stopping forT"
Mr.. Benn's breathing as he bent to
his task again was distinctly audible.
The head of Mr.. Travers ranged itself
once more alongside the widows. For
a long time they watched in silence.
won't you come down here, Mrs.
WatersY' called the boatswain, look
ing up 80 suddenly that Mr.. Travers'
head bumped painfully against the
side Of the window. Its bit creepy
all alone"
"I'm all right" said Mrs. Waters.
II keep fancying there's something
lodging behind them currant bushes"
pursued the unfortunate Mr.. Benn
hoarsely. "How you can stay there
alone can't think. I thought saw
something looking over your shoulder
just now. Fancy II 1t came creeping
up behind and caught hold Of your
The widow gave sudden faint
scream.
eff you do that again she said,
turning fiercely on Mr.. Travers.
"He put it into my head" said the
culprit humbly. II should never have
thought of such a thing by myself.
I'm one Of the quietest and best be-
haved"-
make haste, Mr.. Benn," said the
widow, turning to the window again.
'I've got lot to do when you've nm
ished.''
The boatswain groaned and fell to
digging again, and Mrs. Waters, after
watching a little while longer, gave
Mr.. Travers some pointed instructions
about the window and went down to
the garden again.
4That will do, I think" she said,
stepping into the hole and regarding It
critically. "Now you'd better 60
straight OF home, and, mind, not a
word to a soul about this"