The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-10

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She. pointing to the grass at her feet. said
quietly. "Sce tltsS"
Deen living she would not have pre-
sumed to intrude upon us at mealtime,
but as we have no one now to uphold
our dignity this woman rushed into our
presence painting with news and told
us all in one breath how she had just
come from Mrs. Webb. who had a pile
OF money in her house; that she had
just seen 1t with her own eyes; that go
ing up stairs. as usual, without knock
ing. she had seen Mrs. Webb through
the crack of the sitting room door
walking toward the fireplace cupboard
with huge roll of bills in her hand:
that listening she heard her say: Just
fifteen hundred. Too much money by
far TO have in the house, After which
she heard first one lock turned and
then another. and. satisfied that the
money had been put into some recepta-
Gle in the cupboard. she crept out as
quietly as she had come i'm and ran
away to tell the neghbors. Happily
was the first enc she told. but ! have
no doubt that in spite of all my injunc-
lions she has related the news to every
one who would iistea.''
WAS TIE young woman ! see down
yonder at the table with you when
Judy told this story" asked the coro-
ner. pointing toward the yard.
Mr.. Sutherland pondered. NO: do
not think she was. Frederick was seat
cd M the table with ne. and my house
Keeper was pouring he tea. but Miss
Page hGd not yet come down. l think.
She has been putting on great airs Of
late"
Can it be possible that he does not
know that his son Frederick wants to
marry this girl?" muttered the clergy
man into the conStab.e's ear
The constable shook his head. Mr.
Sutherland was one of those debonair
men whose very mildEcss makes them
impenetrab!e.
The coroDer on leaving the house was
followed by AIr. Sutherland. As the
fine figures of the two men appeared
on the doorstep faint cheer was
heard from the two or three favored
persons who were allowed to look
through the gate. But TO this token Of
welcome neither gentleman responded
ton being engrossed by the sight of the
solitary figure of Miss Page. who still
held her stand upon the lawn. Motion
less as a statue. but with her eyes fixed
upon their faces. she awaited their APP
proach When they were near her. she
thrust one hand from under her cloak
and. pointing to the grass at her feet,
said quietly:
"See this?"
They FASTENED toward her and bent |
down to examine the spot she indi- |
Gated.
What do you find thereY' cried Mr.. |
Sutherland. whose eyesight was not |
good.
Blood" responded the coroner,
-sucking up a blade Of grass and sur
.-ying it closely.
blood" echoed Miss Page, with so
suggestive glance that Mr.. Suther- |
land stared at her in amazement. not /
understanding his own emotion.
How are you able to discern a stain
so nearly imperceptible? asked the
coroner.
''Impcrceptible? 1t is the only thing
! sec In the whole yard" she retorted. |
and with a slight bow which was not
without Its. element of mockery she |
turned toward the gate.
"A most unaccountable girl" COM /
mented the doctor. But she is right |
nbout these stains. Abel" he called to
the man at the gate, bring a box or |
barrel here and cover up this spot. 1 I
don't want it disturbed by trampling /
feet till the jury l shall soon call shall |
have had an opportunity to look at it."
Abel started to obey just as the 1
young girl laid her hand on the gate to !
open il.
Wont you help me?" she asked. |
~Tbe crowd is so great they won't let |
me through
wont they" The words came from |
without. Just slip out as l slip in. and !
you'll find place made for YOU"
Not recognizing the voice. she hesi-
tated for a moment. but seeing the gate
swaying, she pushed against 1t just as
q young man stepped through the gap.
Necessarily they came face to face.
'Ah. il is YOU" he muttered. giving
her sharp glance.
II do not know you," she haughtily
declared. and slipping by him with
such dexterity she was out of the gate
before he could respond.
But he only snapped his finger and
thumb mockinSly at her and smiled
knowingly ut Abel, who had fingered
to watch the end of this encounter.
Supple as n willow twig, eh," he I
laughed. well, l have made whistles
out Of willows before now and-halloo.
where did you get that
He was pointing TO Il rare flower that
hung limp and faded from Abers but
tonhole.
This oh. found It In the house