Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-12-27

Struve. bargainer OF some mean abil-
ity. When they come to inscribe my
headstone Ihope they can carve there.
on with truth, He got value re-
ceived.'
you're panther" she said loath-
ingly.
Graceful and elegant brute, that"
he laughed. "Affectionate and full Of
play, but with sharp teeth and sharper
claws. To follow out the idea, which
pleases me, believe the creature owes
no loyalty to Its fellows. and hunts
alone. Now, when you've followed this
conspiracy out and placed the blame
where 1t belongs, won't you come and
tell me about it? That door leads into
an outer hall which opens into the
street. No one will see you come or
go.''
AS she hurried along she wondered
dazedly why she had stayed to listen
SO long. What monster he was. His
meaning was plain, had always been
so from the first day he laid eyes on
her, and he was utterly constituencies
She had known all this; and vet, In her
proud, youthful confidence, and in her
need. every hour more desperate and
urgent, to know the truth, she had
dared risk herself with him. Withal,
the man was shrewd and observant
and had OWNED her mental condition
with remarkable sagaclty. She had
failed with him: but the kirl now knew
that she could never rest till she found
an answer to her questions. She must
kill this suspicion that ate into her so.
She thought tenderly of her uncle's
goodness to her, chung with lespairing
faith to the last of her kin. The blood
ties of the Chesters were close and
she felt in dire need of that lost brother
who was somewhere in this mysterious
sland-need Of some one In whom ran
the strain that bound her to the weak
old man UP yonder, There was Nc
FNamarai but how could he help her,
bow much did she know of him, this
man who was now within the darkest
shadOwof her new suspicious?
Feeling almost intolerably friendless
and alone, weakened both by her re-
cent fright and by her encounter with
Strive, Helen considered as calmly as
her emotions would allow and decided
that this was no day In which pride
should figure There were facts which
1t was imperative she should know,
and Immediately; therefore, few min
utes later, she knocked Mt the door Of
Cherry Malotte.
When the girl appeared. Helen was
Ast9nished to see that she had been
crying. Tears burn hottest and leave
plainest trace in eyes where they come
most seldom. The younger girl could
act guess the tumuit OF emotion the
other had undergone during her abb
sence, the utter depths of self abase-
ment she had fathomed, for the sight
Of Helen and her fresh young beauty
had aroused in the adventures a very
tempest OF bitterness and jealousy.
Whether Helen Chester were guilty or
innocent how could Glenister hesitate
hetween them? Cherry had asked her
self. Now she stared at her visitor In
Hospitality and without sign.
win you let me come inY Helen
asked her. II have something to say
to you"
When they were inside, Cherry Ma
iotte stood and gazed at her visitor
with inscrntable eyes and stony face.
aIt isn't easy for me to come hack"
Helen began, "but I felt that had to.
II you can help me, hope you will.
You said that you knew great wrong
was being done. have suspected it.
but l didn't know, and I've been afraid
to doubt my own people. You said
mad a part in itAthat I'D betrayed my
friends. Wait a moment" she hurried
on, ut the others cynical smile. Wont
you tell meswhat you know and what
you think my part has heens five
beard and seen things that make me
think-oh, they make me afraid to
think, and yet can't find the truth!
You see, in a struggle like this. people
will make Nil sorts Of allegations, but
do they know, have they any proof,
that my uncle has done wrong?"
us that all?''
NO. You said Strive told you the
whole scheme. went to him ana
tried to cajola tho stery out Of hin,.
butt She shiyered at the memory.
What success did you have:" In
qulred the listener, oddly curious for
all her cold dislike.
Don't ash me. hate to think Of
It"
Cherry laughed cruelty. $50. falling
there, you came back to me, back for
another favor from the waif. Well
Miss Helen Chester, I DON'T believe
. word yoi.Ys said. aud I'll tell You
fothing Go back to the uncle and the
fawboned lover who sent you, and In.
form them that til speak when the
time comes. they think j know too
much, do they ESQ they've sent you to
spy? Well I'll make a compact. You
play your game. and I'll play mine.
Leave Glenlster alone, and I'll not tell
on Mcnamara. Is 1t bargain?'
No. no, no! Can't You see? That's
not it. All I want is the truth OF this
thing"
Then go back to Strive and get 1t.
He'll tell you; won't. Drive your bar
gain with him-you're able. You've
fooled better men-now, see what you
can do with him."
Helen left. realizing the futility OF
further effort. though she Felt that this
WOMAN did not raally doubt hcr. hut
vas seourged by jealousy till she do
llberately chose this attitude.
Reaching her own house, she wrote