Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-08-21

was small parcel addressed, as
Drummond could not help seeing, to
IF. Crawford, Esq" Another name
which he did not see was printed at
the head of the label. To his astonish.
ment, LIS hostess. after a brief glance,
took up the little packet and de;,p-
erately dropped in into the stove,
where fire waas smouldering.
Helen!' her husband cried in an
GER and entreaty, stretching out his
hand. But she took no notice.
For a moment he looked as though
ne would have said and done some
thing more. but the Scotsman's eyes
We're on him-steady, scornful, COM
manding he got up without an
other word and went out of the room.
As he went, Drummond saw-and
grew hot with indignation-that his
eyes were full OF tears and his hands
trembling. 4
"dere was an awkward pause, and
then on the excuse that he wanted to
smoke a pipe. he, too, left the room.
AS he was strolling about outside,
wishing that he could do something to
help his unfortunate host. who seem
ed at the mercy of his wife and ser.
want, Crawford himself appeared.
Come away from the house, where
we shan't be overheard" he whispered
I want to speak to you, and that brute
Grant is always watching me. 1 am
never an ffs from, hin,
Il saw you felt sorry for me Just
now" he went on. You will guess
something Of the awful life lead. 1
have no voice or say in anything; am
a nonentity In my own house -worse,
prisoner. have no money and no
means of getting anywhere. / can
only go as far as / can walk, and you
can guess" he said bitterly, how far
that Isl
He moved feebly like man recov-
efing from an illness, and his face
was gray and beaded with perspira-
tion, though the air was quite cool.
Any exertion seemed too much for
him, he looked the wreck of what must
have been fine. strong man. Drum
mond was full of compassion and in
dIgnation.
why don't you communicate with
your friends?" he asked. Surely they
could put stop to such state of
things If you are not strong enough
to exert your authority. OF course 1
don't understand the circumstances,
but I can see that something is
wrong "a. ...as .-45 - e,,it.
/ And You will help met" he said
eagerly For PHYS sake, don't refuse;
/ may not have such another chance
for months"
The shrlll. excited voice broke on
abruptly. The little outburst had COM
'pletely exhausted him, and he leaned,
shaking and half crying. against the
stable wall, a pitiable object.
What is it you want me to do?"
Drummond asked.
Post this for me yourself, that is
ALL" holding out a letter. II wrote 1t
just now on the chance. 1t is to q
friend of mine in Montreal who will
help me. Don't let anybody see it,
put 1t in your pocket quickly" He
looked round in furtive apprehension;
It was a look that had something mean
and repellent in 1t.
VERY WELL" Drummond said rather
coldly. II will do as you wish
you'll post At yourself?" suspicious
~. Yon won't let anybody else see
tit"
Il have told you that 1t shall be
DONE"
Thank you-thank you" effusiye-
ly, You don't know how grateful
am. You saw what happened just
now to something Of mine-addressed
to me-my own property" the voice
rising again In futile wrath. DESTROYED
before my eyes. without even letting
me see it! Isn't 1t monstrous? ?"
1T seems very extraordinary, )"
Drmmond said, ''but your wife must
surely have had some reason" look
ing at him keenly., "It was done quite
openly
A couple Of weeks later, when Drum
mond was returning to Winnipeg, he
passed close to the farm and curious
to learn what had happened in the
interval-whethe the letter had any
result-he stopped and looked in. It
Yves getting dusk and Grant was sit
ting alone, his arms on the table, his
head In his hands. He looked up as
Drummond stood hesitattng at the
door.
"You!" he cried, jumping up with
a forbidding look. what do you
want? Haven't you dome enough mis-.
chief?'
Drupmond noticed that the big,
powerful man swayed as he stood, as
though from weakness, and that his
face was haggard with weary cavern.
Gus eyes.
What do you mean" he exclaimed
Indignantly "if you think you can
bully me as you did your unfortunate
master, you are very much mistaken
SO that is what you think?" said
Grant Well, I'm not surprised; /
saw where your sympathies had gone
last time You were here. He took
you In as he did others. He's as cum
ming as q fox. When the mischief
was done he told US dn glee the we
owed it to you
Il don't understand" Drummond
said coldly. but with qualm Of mis-
giving. The mans voice carried con-
II j