Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-06-27

couple o. days and the Sheets anf
things are 80 musty that we thought
We had better have some of them
washed and aired out. We a get
along tonight again, but II o could
get some of the things back to US to.
morrow we wish you would"
Mrs. Bruce was quite willing to dc
W this favor, and MacArdel told her
to call for the things at six that
evening, explaining that we would
not return to the house until that
hour.
A. We left the cottage INT wan.
dered on down the hill, MacArdei
said:
she don't look half bad. after all.
confess l expected to see a yer?
different sort Of woman"
A moment later he muttered as II I
himself: Wen get the story out
OF her, though, or I'll miss my guess"
beyond which sage remark he BE-,
absolutely uncommunicative on the
entire subject.
We kept our word about returning
to the place before evening, and, after.
lunching at Hoskins' and taking a row
on the river In the afternoon, we ar.
rived at the house a little after five
to await the appearance of Mrs.
Bruce. MacArdel had been far from
laxative for some time, when sudden
ly he said:
Ware, 60 back to the VILLAGE right
away! Send two or three meaningless
kilograms to your office within an hour
or so. Tell 1t around that unless you
receive a reply before ten O'Clock we
will both have to return to town on
h midnight train. I'll stay here and
attend to the widow when she
comes"
"Of course ! won't get any reply IL
my messages are meaningless" ex.
claimed, in amaZement. What on
earth are you driving at?"
Never mind about that" said Mac
Ardel. Just do as | tell you and be
mighty careful to SO word your mes
sage that no m can make any sense
out of them, but be sure to send them
TO your own Office. Then they'll look
like cipher dispatches. Now. when ten
o'clock m and no answer get hold
Of this fellow jerks and make him
drive UP here along with o to get
our things. He may pretend he's
afraid, but he'll come willingly
enough, especially II you offer to pay
him we'll"
did as ! was told, and shortly after
ten o'clock, jerks and ! drove up to
the house and found MacArdel wait
ing for us on the veranda.
Hello, Ware!" he called out, cheer.
lily. Didn't you get that message from.
town."
NO. I responded shortly. Il wired
them three times myself, but I could
mt get any reply
"S'pose well have to get started to-
night, then" said MacArde. The
trunk is all ready. Will your horse,
stand, Jenks?"
will eff some one holds him." said
jerks, %sullenly.
"All right" said MacArdel, ignoring
the fellows surly manner Get hold
of his head, Ware, and jerks and l
will fetch the trunk"
The man clambered down from his
seat, slowly and unwillingly, and az
he did so the moonlight fell on his in
jured hand and illuminated the crude
ly applied bandage.
why, what's this, man." exclaimed
MacArdel, with interest. "Have you
hurt YOURSELF"
"Nothin' but a scratch replied
jerks, grufHy. Got dragged agin a
nail In tn barn last night"
Let me look at it." said MacArdel.
I'm a doctor, you know" and he
reached for the injured member and
grasped 1t firmly at the wrist. An in
slant later jerks went spinning
through the air with MacArdel astride
of his chest, holding him firnlly to the.
ground.
Wonderful what an hour n day at
the gymnasium will do for a fellow
said MacArdel, when he had resainec
his breath. There's a bit of O ! there
on the step Ware. Give it here oE,
help me tie him He's wriggl!ng like Ia
devil"
ITO BE CONTINUED