Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-04-17

THE WOMAN IN THE CASE.

CONTINUED FROM SECTION ONE.

teousfy II am a stranger here, and Mr.:
Glencoe said his place was closed, so l did
not think of intruding upon anyone"
While was speaking was noting her APP
pearance. 1t was the young lady l had seen
enter the the day before tSs She
was pushed up on the brim of her small hat.
The features. disclosed were exquisitely
regular, save that the mouth was a trlhe
large. according to canons of beauty. Her
large dark eyes were dilated with distress
her face was very pale. Her breath came
She laughed family, wonderfully gathering
sef-control: II am nervous, easily startled,
Did understand you to say that the owner
..He is away" smiled. "But assure you
I'm not poaching. have permission to fish
II did not know that these woods belonged
to the grounds of that big house. she sale.
fUs se' but am Interested in plant life
and the ferns here are very attractive"
to have y s%re visit the place as often as you
WISH returned, calamity. wondered
little that she fingered.
She drew her veil down closely.
"Do you know If the owner Is marriedg"
Il understand that he was married many
years ago. His wife is insane-incurably-
and he lives quite alone"
How sad y she murmured. coldly. She
bowed slightly and wishing me me I pleasant ant
of sight among the trees.
All that afternoon my thoughts were Of
her Her high-bred dignity incompat-
bic with the fact that she fingered to talk In
a lonely wood with stranger. The beauty
of her patrician face and the nne carriage
of her slender figure stood out before me,
the while l wondered over the incident of the
footprint In the mold OF the wood
Next day, on my way to the brook for an
I wondered whether or not to salute her !;
she ended my conjectures by stopping.
We spoke of the fine autumnai weather and
she threw back her veil. Her beautiful eyes
looked at me not quite frankly.
to MIR. Glencoe-the fact of my trespass in
his woods she said Il should not like him
to know that have so little regard ,,d for the the
noted the even pearl of her teeth.
Il trust you VIII not think me so meddle-
Glen, is too gallant to forbid a lady his
premises, should it please her to visit them.
Rest assured, shall not mention It,
THANK you. Please forget 1t, and shall
be sure not to infringe again"
al cannot promise to forget it,. I dared
to assure her. but, l shall not mention It,"
She thanked me again with gravity and
passed ON. / could not help wondering If she
came that way to meet me; at the same time
recalled her worn LOOK ana and the r.ngs ap psc
While was musing and preparing for a
aided ar an approach. 4 buriy. stoiid-iOoking
man in rough corduroys came down to where
1 stood.
"How'dy !" he growled, surlily. Zine day,
sir how's the luckT
AZ haven't begun answered.
rightly conjectured this to be the keeper
of the grounds. He certainly was an I'M
prepossessing fellow
lie stood watching me In silence for some
time: then he said: Mr.. Glencoe said you
was to have the run Of the grounds, sir, but
wisht you'd tell me II you seen woman
"Er-no." answered, pretending to think.
sWait-yes, I did, too. That isl met
young lady just outside the gate. WhyT
ssWell, they's been woman prowiin
around here for several days. Last night she
got clear to one OF the windows Of the big
house. They's. been burglars round these
parts lately and my orders Is not to have no.
buddy skviarkin' over Mr.. Glencoe's grounds"
He shifted a wad of tobacco to the other
cheek and regarded me with q surly eye.
s.weil, well, my good man. we are certainly
safe from harm as far as this youns-lady Is
concerned"
T did not like the fellows grouchy air nor
his familiar manner. I turned my attention
strictly to fishing and In little while he
"s The more lore thought about the mysterious