Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-02-06


place by her husbands side and had been
his companion In the misfortunes she had
not been allowed to share. She was glad
in her heart of hearts that her rival looked
III, more glad that she looked unhappy.
She never 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 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 steGdfastly, 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
ere 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 quarter OF an hour
had passed 1t seemed to her that Miss Ell
more had been with the agent an hour.
She had never taken her eyes from the
ing that the girl might have come out into
the street again and got away unobserved.
But just Rose had worked herself up
from the doorway and walked rapidly away
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
now, but quickly checking herself, she
crossed the road and walked rapidly till
she was level with the girl, the road
way dividing them.
Miss Elmore turned down into the Strand
and walked along until she came to South
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.
was crowded and 1t was quite easy to keep
any one in view.
'The girl is either going to walk home
Rose. whichever it is, / have her safe
now I shall ind out where she is lodging
and then ! believe ! shall hnd my hus-
Rose Everybody instantly turned to see
what was the matter. Rose among them.
little boy had run across the road and
fallen just as an omnibus was coming rap
idly on to him. 1t was 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-
mediateiy 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 the
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 Elmore,
the man was following her. He had evi.
IDENTIFY followed her from her house that
morning. taken the same bus as herself,
and watched her while she watched the
agents ONCE.
She saw 1t in a moment. and she knew
by fash OF inspiration what 1t meant.
Some one else beside herself had a sus-
picion that Jack Smedley had returned to
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
proach him for his sffenses against her.
But these people were trying to hnd him
to make him answer for his offenses against
the law.
John Smedley's arrest was still In force.
She and the girl were being followed by
police agents, and together John Smediey's
wife and his mistress were guiding them
instantly Rose felt q 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 protects him from Others
In moment she had made up her mind
what to do. Quickening her pace, she
caught up with Miss Gilmore.
AS she came level with her, without
looking at her she said In an undertone,
Don't look at me. You are being fol-
lowed"
The girl gave little start and turned
her head toward the person who had adj
dressed her.
Hush =" whispered Rose: take no no.
tice Of me. But don't go home, ] tell you,
you are followed"
Rose could see that Miss Elmore's face
was now more deadly pale than ever and
her lips trembled
what shall do p she said.
"Anything-but don't go home"
At that moment an omnibus passed them.
The conductor held up his hand, Room
for two inside. ladies'" he shouted.
'sYes Get in" said Rose.
Miss Gilmore, trembling and almost
with agitation, obeyed. She was
too bewildered to think for. herself.
sComtinsed on SsesIf