Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-01-10
BY CHARLES CARVICE

whatever happens, you shall come to
no hurt. ! promise for him as well
las for myself"
''Ah, no; he wouldn't see me hurt!
said Liz Lee. "Well, then"
She stopped suddenly and uttered a
cry.
A carriage had dashed up TO the
station at tremendous rate; the
whistle of the up-traln was heard In
the distance.
Quick quickl" exclaimed Bessie
But the woman seemed to have lost
all power OF speech, and was staring
at the carriages from which a gentle
man had alighted.
Bessie locked over her shoulder 1t
was Mr. Barley Bradstone.
You know hint" she said, instant.
ly: Does he know anything Of the
murder, does he"
The woman shuddered as she
watched him go up the stairs.
mo It's fate!" she gasped ooh,
I'm afraid TO tell, afraid. afraidr' AMI
she seemd unable to move her eyes
from his receding figure.
BESSIE almost shook her in her ae.
ony Of jpense,
You must!' she said You have
gone too far"
'lf ! must!" painted the woman.
Yes he does now. Don't let him go
DO you hear? Stop him! Follow
him"
In her uncertainty and excitement
Bessie took half-a-dozen steps toward
the station platform.
Then she turned, and with q start
found u man standing between her
and the woman, who was covering
against the wall as II she had just re-
ceived blow.
What, You, LIZ" he said, adj.
dressing the woman, but keeping his
eyes on Bessie You're drunk again.
are yer? You ought to be ashamed
of yourself. What's she been assay
In miss?" And he turned to Bessie
with notwithstanding, half-whining
air. Something about this yer muir
dor, wasn't 1t? Blessed If this ger
murder haven't gone and turned my
mlSsis's head Don't pay any atten-
tion to her, miss! | umbly bees par
don for her She ought to know bet
ter than to stop a lady with her rub
bldse" and selling the woman's arm,
he hurried her to the steps.
Stop" said Bessie, stop! She is
not drunk and YOU know 1t! She
shall speak,"
D The man glanced hurriedly up at
the platform at which the up-traln
was Just arriving ana tightening his
hold on the womans arm, swung her
round She was crying covertly,
Now, then, YOU fool, just tell the
lady YOU was only aplayln' 1t low
down on her, on the chance o. gettin'
II copper or two" he said. yah! I'm
ashamed on you'll Come on, speak up
There amt no time
Time time, SETH" the woman
sobbed
"Yes! he snarled You know
were agoin by the train, as well as
/ do"
She shrank back, but he pulled her
forward.
Now, then, tell the hdy."
She turned her eyes upon Bessie,
then let them drop.
lit wasn't true, miss, as | was
going to tell you" she said
There you are!" exclaimed Seth,
trumphantly. Nov come along!" and
he hurried the woman up the steps
Poor Bessie sprang after them in
such haste that she trod upon her
dress aud fell AS she got up and
raced up the steps, she heard the
slammng of the carriage doors, and
found the station gate locked There
was only one porter, and he did not
hear her until the train had started.
and she leaned against the gate,
trembling and almost tainttng, as the
train bore BARLEY Bradstone and the
two gtpsies towards London.
She got back TO the carriage, and
was driven to the Grange, and flew
to Olivia's room.
Olivia met her at the door Well"
she exclaimed, selling her by the
hand and drawing her in, and Bessie
told her all that had happened
Olivia paced up and down.
"Oh, Bessie! Bessie! Fate is
working against us. That he should
have come up at that moment! Oh,
If had but listened to her that night
by the lodge! What does 1t all mean?
But we viii find them" She snatched
up her hat, Help me, No, you poor
thing, you are tired and worn out.
Stay there and rest"
Where are you going, miss?" ex-
claimed Bessie; but Olivia was out
of the room before he could stop her.
She came back in little over an
hour, pale but with a resolute look