The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-02-15


his companion in the misfortunes she had
not been allowed to share. She was glad
in her heart of hearts that her rival looked
i'll, more glad that she looked unhappy.
She stopped to ask herself whether
this girl might not be in utter ignorance
of the true story of Mr.. Wilson's. life"
utterly innocent of the knowledge that she
was injuring any one but herself.
Rose watched her enter the doorway and
go up the stone steps that led to the agents
office. Then she went little way down
the street and stood just where a building,
jutting out, hid her from the sight of any
one coming out of the house which she was
watching She kept her eyes fixed upon
the doorway eagerly, so steadfastly, that
the strain made her eyelids ache She was
terrified lest she should not detect Miss Ell
more the first moment she emerged, and
so let her mix with the crowd and get away
she had time to follow her.
Her attention was so fixed on this one
particular point that she did not notice the
gentleman to whom she had bowed in the
morning come quietly to the public house
door, look up and down the street, catch
sight OF her and then go in again quickly.
The time passed slowly as Rose stood
and watched When a quarter of an hour
had passed it seemed to her that Miss Ell
more had been with the agent an hour.
She had never taken her eyes from tine
ing that the girl might have come out into
the street again and got away unobserved.
But just as Rose had worked herself up
into fever of suspense lady emerged
in the direction of the Strand.
1t was Miss Gilmore.
An instant afterwards another lady. the
lady who had parted with the gray-haired
man at the door, came out too. Rose
darted forward almost with run in her
eagerness not to lose sight of Miss Gilmore
crossed the road and walked rapidly till
she was on level with the girl, the road
way dividing them.
Miss Gilmore turned down into the Strand
H. ala until CHI arna
ampton Street, then she crossed the road
and made for Waterloo Bridge. ~
Rose followed this time keeping on the
same side of the road, but little way be-
hind 1t was not an hour when the Bridge
was crowded and 1t was quite easy 70 keep
any one in view.
"The girl is either. going to walk home
or to take the train to Waterloo" thought
Rose whichever it is, I have her safe
now. shall find out where she is lodging
and then I believe l shall hnd my hus-
band"
Suddenly shrek rang out Just behind
Rose Everybody instantly turned to see
what was the matter, Rose among them:
A little boy had run across the road and
fallen Just as an omnibus was coming rap
idly on to him. 1t was q woman who had
seen the occurrence who uttered the cry.
The driver pulled up and the boy was
saved. Then everybody went on their way
again.
But in the second that Rose turned her
head she had seen something that aston
ished her. Close behind her was the wo-
man who had come out ~of the agents i'm
mediately after Miss Gilmore. And on the
opposite side of the road was the gentleman
she had bowed to in mistake. and who had
gone into the public-house opposite inc
agents Office
Swift as lightning a suspicion OF truth
flashed across Mrs. Smedley's brain.
She was being followed herself. She and
Miss Gilmore too.
The woman was following Miss Gilmore.
the man was following her. He had EVIL.
IDENTIFY followed her from her house that
morning. taken the same bus as nerseli,
and watched her while she watched the
agents Office
She saw il In a moment, and she knew
by fash of inspiration what it meant
Some one else beside herself had a sus.
London. And they had been watching her,
his wife, believing that she would know OF
it, and communicate with him.
The part of his story which she had for
the time forgotten came back to her at
once She was trying to find him 10 re-
proach him for his offenses against ner.
But these people were trying to ma nm
to make him answer for his onenses against
the law.
The warrant which had been issued for
John Smedley's arrest was still In force.
s She and ses es s snd osh SeGS john
wife and his mistress were guiding them
to their prey.
instantly Rose felt a revulsion OF feeling;
All the wife In her rose up against the
idea of seeing the man she had once loved
stand in the felon's dock.
She would have punished him herself,
but she would protect him from others.
In a moment she had made up her mind
what to do Quickening her pace, she
caught up with Miss Elmore.
As she came level with her. without
leaking at her she said In an undertone,
'Don't look at me. You are being fol-
lowed"
her head toward the person who had adj
dressed her.
sHush /" whispered Rose; "take no no
tIce of me. But don't 60 home, tell yous
IF Rose Sc could see that Miss ElmOre's face