The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-04-25


heard the creak OF a window being
softly raised. and bright light, as
from a candle, fell on the ground be-
low and on a figure standing there.
And this figure, raising It's head and
looking up, revealed to the watching
| Tokely the face of Dandy Chatter, who
should have been, by all right and pro-
priety, at that moment in Chelmsford
Goal
Little motheT!" came in a quick
whisper from below; and a voice-that
of Mrs. Siggs-responded promptly in
the same cautious fashion.
"Oh, my dear, dear boy. Wait just
one blessed minute, and I'll come down
to you," cried Betty, softly.
Wait just one blessed minute, and
I'll come down to you" muttered the
inspector to himself This is a piece
of luck, indeed" The inspector crept
away from the window and began hur-
riedly and noiselessly to get into his
garments.
In few moments he heard, as he
had fully anticipated, rustling upon
the staircase, and quick footstep go
ing downwards; Immediately after, the
cautious drawing back of bolts and the
turning OF key: then the subdued
sound of voices. The inspector dressed
with greater rapidity than ever.
Meanwhile Mrs. Siggs had drawn
Philip into the little parlor, and had
laid her old head--nightcap and all
upon his shoulder and was crying COM
fortably. It was some time before she
could compose herself sufficiently to
listen to what he had to say, but she
did at last, only puncturing what he
said by an occasional sob.
''First-for my time is very short
about Clara" he said. Il blame my
self horribly for all the anxiety she
has caused you; but you know, little
mother, that she fell in love with that
scapegrace brother OF mine, land only
transferred her affections TO me with
out knowing it But the child is safe
II give you my word for it; and l
think you can trust me, Betty, to deliv-
er her into your hands again, when the
time comes for speaking the truth.
But that time is not yet; for the pres
ent, you must be silent; everything l
value most on earth depends on that.
| am getting nearer every hour, little
mother, to the end of my difficulties;
am on the track of the man who muir
dered my brother and can declare my
innocence. II can remain free but
few hours longer | may be able to de-
wise some plan-some way out OF the
tangle. Don't you see my strange po-
sition THAT, for my own sake, as well
as yours, l want to declare to the
world that am Philip Chatter, and in
been visited upon me! While, for the
sake of one dear woman, want to re-
main Dandy Chatter, because - God
help me!--she loves Dandy Chatter
and am a stranger to her"
well, yer don't stand much chance
of goin' free, IL yer chucks stones up
at that there Tokely's winder," said
Betty, laughing through her tears.
81 had no idea that the man was still
here" replied Philip. "And, of course.
l couldn't be expected to know which
window was yours; had to lake the
risk OF that. But saw his light go
out; there's no doubt that he Is sleep
ing peacefully, and dreaming of any
thing but Dandy Chatter"
The words were scarcely out of his
mouth when the door leading from the
staircase was opened abruptly, and
Toby Siggs thrust in his head ana
looked at them with a scared face On
the principle that whatever Betty did
was sure to be right, Toby would not
have thought OF questioning her con-
corning her championship Of the sup
posed Dandy Chatter, or of her en-
deavors to hide him. Obedient TO Phil
ip's injunction, Mrs Siggs had re-
Trained from entering into any ex-
PLANTATION with Toby-who was, If the
truth be told, somewhat of gossip.
But, at the present moment, loyalty TO
his wife, no less than to the man
whose cause she upheld, had prompted
him to leave his chamber and creep
down to give them warning.
Betty, ole gal-that there Tokely-
as Is the deepest ever see, an the
most careful Of his precious skin-'as
CORN of to fetch assistance" 1t took
Toby long time to say this In his
slow and ponderous fashion, but he
got II out at last, and stood nodding
his head prodigiously when he had
finished.
What do you mean?" asked Philip.
quickly, making movement toward
the door. I've heard no one about
the house: how could he have got
out?"
"Artfulness-downright perlice art
fulness, an nothing else," replied
Toby. slowly. "Arter you chucked
stones at is winder, an arter I'd 'ad
that little argument with i'm, thought
ED gone to by-bye; but not q. card
q scrapin' agin the wall, an looked
out; an there was that Tokely. shin
MIN down a sort of rope, made OF the
missis's best company sheets. Els
gone straight down to the village con-
stable, to get i'm an a few more-so
as to make sure Of yer. Master Dandy.