The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-01-17


old man up yonder. There was Nc
Namara; but how could he help her,
how much did she know of him, this
man who was now within the darkest
shadow Of 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 We're facts which
it was imperative she should know,
and Immediately; therefore. few min
utes later, she knocked at the door of
Cherry Malotte.
When the girl appeared, Helen was
astonished 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
not guess the tumult Of emotion the
other had undergone during her alb
sence, tho 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
between them? Cherry had asked her
self. Now she stared at her visitor in
Hospitality and without sign.
"Will you let me come in?" Helen
asked her. II have something to say
to you"
When they We're inside, Cherry Ma
lotte stood and gazed at her visitor
with inscrutable eyes and stony face.
ut isn't easy for me to come back"
Helen began, "but felt that had to.
If you can help me, hope you will.
You said that you knew a great wrong
was being done. 1 have suspected it.
but didn't know and I've been afraid
to doubt my own people. You said /
had part in it-that I'd betrayed my
friends. Wait a moment" she hurried
on, at the others cynical smile. Wont
you tell me what you know and what
you think my part has been? I've
heard and seen things that make me
think-oh, they make me afraid to
think, and yet I can't find the truth!
You see, In a struggle like this, people
will make all sorts of allegations, but
do they know, have they any proof,
that my uncle has done wrongT
"Is that alp
mo. You said Strive told you the
whole scheme l went to him and
tried to cajole the story out Of him,
but She shivered ut the memory.
what success did you have" in
quired the listener, oddly curious for
all her cold dislike.
it,"
Cherry laughed cruelty. $50, failing
there, you came back to me, back for
another favor from the waif. Well,
Miss Helen Chester, 1 don't believe
word you've said, and I'll tell you
nothing. Go back to the uncle and the
rawboned lover who sent you, and in
form them that I'll speak when the
time comes. They think 1 know too
much, do they?-so they've sent you to
spy? Well, I'll make a compact. You
play your game, and I'll play mine.
Leave Glenister alone, and I'll not tell
on Mcnamara. Is it bargain?"
mo, no, no! Can't you see? That's
not it. All l want is the truth of this
thing"
''Then go back to Strive and get it.
He'll tell you; l 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 really doubt her, but
was scourged by jealousy till she de-
liberately chose this attitude.
Reaching her own house, she wrote
two brief notes and called in her Jap
boy from the kitchen.
Fired, l want you to hunt UP Mr..
Glenister and give him this note. If
you can't find him, then look for his
partner and give the other to him."
Fred vanished, to return In an hour
with the letter for Dextry still In his
hand.
IL don catch dis feller," he explain
ed. young mans say he gone, come
back mebbc one, two, 'leven days"
did you deliver the one to Mr.. Glen
isterY"
lies, ma'am."
WAS there an answer" rs
LES, ma'am.' -
"Well, give it to me-"
The note read:
Dear Miss Chester-A discussion CT
matter so familiar to us both as the Anvil
creek controversy would DO useless. IL
your inclination Is due to the incidents of
last night, pray don't trouble yourself.
We don't want your pity i am your serv-
ant. ROY GLENISTER.
AS she read the note. Judge Stillman
entered, and 1t seemed to the girl that
he had aged year for every hour in
the last twelve, or else the yellow aft
ernoon light limned the sagging hol-
lows and haggard lines of his face
most pitilessly. He showed in voice
and manner the nervous burden under
which he labored.
"Alec has told me about your en-
gagement. and 1t lifts terrible load
from me. I'm mighty glad you're going
to marry him. He's wonderful man,
and he's the only one who can save