Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-09
CHAPTER XIII.
Where the Mill Stream Runs Fiercest.

Two o'clock.
Three o'clock.
Two men were talking below their
breaths in the otherwise empty office.
THAT ere mill stream never gives up
anything it has once caught" muttered
one into the ear of the other. It's swift
as fate and in certain places deep as hell.
Dutch JAMS body was five months at the
bottom Of it before it came up at Clark s
pool" 80
The man beside him shivered and his
hand roamed nervously toward his breast.
did Jan. the Dutchman you. speak Of,
fall in by accident, or did he-throw him
self over-from inconsistencies, or some
such cause?"
"Wa'al we don't say; on account of his
old mother, you know, we don't say. 1t
was called accident"
The other rose and walked rest
lessly to the window.
Half the town is up" he muttered. 1.-THE
| lanters go by like fire-flies. Poor Ransom!
It's hopeless job, 1 fear" And again his
hand wandered to that breast pocket where
the edge of document could be seen. I
have half mind to go out myself; any
thing is better than sitting here
But he sat down just the same. Mr..
Harper was no longer young man.
1.-The storms batting" observed the one.
But not the cold. Throw on stick; I'm
freezing.
Inc Otner man ODeyeQ, tnen looking up,
stared. A girl stood before them in the
doorway. Anitra, with cheeks abiaze and
eyes burning, her travelling dress Tapping
damp about her heels and on her head
Behind her shoulder peered the anxious
face of Mrs. Dec.
I'm going out" cried the former in the
loud and unmodulated voice of the deaf
HE don't come back! he don't come
backi I'm going to see why
The lawyer rose and bowed; then reso-
lutely shook his head. He did not know
whether she had appealed to him or not.
She had not looked at him, had not looked
at any one, but he felt that he must pro-
test.
Il beg YOU not to do So" he began. II
really beg you to remain here and wait
with me. You can do no good and the
result may be dangerous. But he knew
he was talking to deaf ears even before the
landlady murmured:
"She doesn't hear a word. I've talked
and motion 1 could think Of but it's done
no good. She would dress and she will
go out; you'll see."
The next minute her prophecy came true:
the wild thing, with a quick whirl of her
1.-THE body, was at the front door, and in
another instant had flashed through it
and was gone.
"It is my duty to follow her." said the
lawyer. Help me on with my coat; I'll
find some one to guide me-"
Here is lantern. Excuse me for not
going with you," pleaded Mrs. Dec, but
some one must watch the house."
The New Yorker nodded. took the Ian
tern offered him.. and went stoically out.
He met man on the walk in front. He
was faced his way and was painting heav-
lily.
Hello" said he. what news?'
"They haven't found her; but there's no
doubt she went over the fall. The fellow
who calls himself her husband has just
been reading a letter they say she left on
her bureau for him. 1t was a goodbye,
reckon, for you can't tear him from the
spot. He says he'll stay there till daylight.
couldn't stand the sight of his misery
myself. Besides, it's mortal cold; I've just
been running to get warm. Who was the
girl who just went scurrying by out of
here? It's no place for wimmen down
there. One lost gal is enough
That's what I think" muttered the
lawyer hurrying
He was not very imaginative man; some
Of his best friends thought him cold and
prosaic one, but he never forgot that walk
Of the sensations accompanying it. Dark as
it still was. the way would have been i'm
passable for a stranger had it not been for
the guidance given by the noisy passing
to and fro of the awakened townspeople
Those coming from the river approached
in direct line from one spot; those going
to it advanced in the same line and to the
same spot. A ring of lanterns marked 1t.
1t was near, very dear where the heavy
waters fell into deep pool No one now
spoke of Anitra; she had evidently been