The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-01-31
ing. But, of course, I did not know


"Of course not, Mrs. Dolman, OF
course not" broke in Ogledon, cheer
fully. mo are necessary, / as
sure you; both myself and my friend
permit me, DR.. Cripps = Mrs. Dol
man, the worthy housekeeper here
are quite prepared to take pot-luck, l
can assur you"
Now when the housekeeper had en-
tered the room DR.. Cripps, after one
momentary glance at her, had turned
his back, and pretended to be busy
with some books upon a side table;
but having now to turn in acknowledge
ment of the introduction, he gave the
old lady one searching glance, bowed,
and turned away again. But not be-
fore she had looked quite keenly at
lin, and had clasped her hands In sud-
IN recognition and establishment.
"Well-dear mel" cried Mrs. Dol
man, IF my eyes do not deceive me, l
am known t this gentleman-though
it's many years since l had the pleas
ure-"
You are perfectly right" replied
Cripps, grudgingly, seeing that there
was no help for 1t. Il am the DR..
Cripps who used to practice in this
place, and who"
"'Who brought Master Dandy into
the world" cried the old woman,
clasping her hands again.
The doctor nodded, and turned away,
as If to put an end to the
ton; Ogledon was watching him curl
ously.
And little did l think, those many
years ago, that ever it should have
come to this, gentlemen" wen on the
old lady, with tears starting to her
eyes-"with Master Dandy gone, heav.
en- knows where, and lying tongues
wagging about him, and he not here to
defend himself"
Ogledon took her up quickly. "Ly-
ing tongues, Mrs. Dolman? And what,
pray, are they daring to say about our
dear Dandy?"
1T seems, sir, that there has been a
pOuy Louhu a youlS 6hl VIZ bC-
longed to these parts-in a wood near
by; and, because Master Dandy has
been seen talking to her once or twice
young men will, and always have
done, since the good Lord made young
men and women!)-they must needs
go whispering about that Master DAN
dy made away with her"
Ogledon drew in his breath sharply
and rose from his seat, confronted
Mrs. Dolman for a moment in an
amazed silence, and finally spoke in a
voice which shook a little with his
anxiety.
81 don't understand" he said; "do
you suggest that Mr.. Chatter is accused
Of MURDER"
That's what they dare to say, sir"
replied the old lady. And as he's
been gone from here-and left no word
as to where he is-since Wednesday
-"
Ogledon, who had turned partially
tently to all she said, swung round
quickly and interrupted her: MY
good woman, what day did you say?"
"Wednesday, sir. Master Dandy
went from here very late"
Ogledon looked at her for a moment
in blank amaZement and terror; put
his hand to his shirt collar and tugged
at 1t, as though he found a difficulty in
breathing; moved away a step or two,
and then came back to her, smiling in
rather a CHASTITY fashion. He spoke
with some little Impotence, and yet
very clearly and distinctly.
Il want to be very clear about
this, Mrs. Dolman," he said, speaking
in a gasping, b~reathless sort of fash
ion. as me deeply agitated, and yet
striving to keep control of himself. Il
i have been away in France-Paris
and have only just returned. Mr..
Chatter and l, Is you know, left here a
week ago-a week ago this night. IL
went to London in the morning-he
came on late at night and met me
there. We've parted-that night; l"
the man passed his hand quickly
over his forehead and tugged again at
his shirt collar-"I have not seen him
since"
ITO Be C%ontjnued.)