Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-08-26

and we tried that. At Casanova sta
ton | saw the station master, and ask
ed If any trains left Casanova between
one O'Clock and daylight. There was
| none until a. m. The next ques-
ton required more diplomacy.
did you notice on the 6 o'clock
train any person-any Ilian--who limp
ed little?" l asked. Please try to
remember: we are trying to trace a
man who was seen lettering around
Sunnyside last night before the fire"
He was all attention in moment.
Il was up there myself at the Are, .
| he said volubly. I'm member Of
the volunteer company. First big Are
we've had since the summer house
burned over to the club golf links.
My wife was sayin' the other day,
Dave, you might as we'll "a saved
the money in that there helmet and
SHIRT And here last night they came
| in handy. Rang that bell so hard
hadn't time scarcely to get em on"
| "And--did you see a man who limp
led?" Gertrude put in, as he stopped
for breath
Not at the train, ma'am," he said
"No such person got on here today.
But I'll tell you where did see II
imam that limped. didn't wait till
the fire company left; there's fast
freight goes through at 4:45, ana
ihad to get down to the station. seen
there wasn't much more to do anyhow
at the fire-we'd got the flames under
control'-Gertrude looked at me and
Ismiled-"so I started down the hill.
There was folks here and there goin'
home, and along by the path to the
Country club l seen two men. One
was short fellow. He was sitting
on big rock, his back to me. and he
| had something white in his hand, as
lif he was tying up his foot. After I'd
gone on a piece / looked back, and
he was hobbling on and-excuse me,
4 missile was swearing something
sickening"
did they go toward the club?"
Gertrude asked suddenly, leaning for
ward.
mo, miss. l think they came into
| the village. didn't get a look at
their faces but / know every chick
and child in the place, and everybody
knows be. When they didn't shout
at me-in my uniform, you know
| took. it they were strangers"
4 So all we had for our afternoons
]work was this: some one had been
Eshot by the bullet that went through
1.-THE door: he had not left the village,
land he had not called in a physician.
1lAlso Dr. Walker knew who Id
Glen Walker was, and his very denial
made me confident that, in that one
idirection at least, we were on the
right track.
| The thought that the detective
would be there that night was the
most cheering thing of all. and 1 think
even Gertrude was glad of it. Driv-
| ing home that afternoon, ! saw her in
the clear sunlight for the first time n
several days, and i was startled to see
how i'll she looked. She was thin and
colorless, and all her bright animation
was gone.
Gertrude 7 said, 81 have been e
very selfish old woman. You are go.
| ing to leave this miserable house to-
might. Annie Morton is going to Scot-
Hand next week, and you shall go right
with her
To my surprise, she flushed pain
fully.
/ Il don't want to go, Aunt Ray she
/ said. Don't make me leave now
"You are losing your health and
your good looks" ] said decidedly
"You should have a change"
81 shan't stir a foot. She was
equally decided. Then, more lightly:
why, you and Liddy need me to ar
bitrate between you every day in the
week"
| Perhaps I was growing suspicious OF
/ everyone, but'it seemed to me that
Gertrude's gaiety was forced and arti
i fetal | watched her covertly during
the rest of tire drive, and l did not
like the two spots of crimson in her
pale cheeks. But said nothing more
abous sending her to Scotlond:
knew she would not go.
i, CHAPTER XIV.
That day was destined to be an
eventful one, for when | entered the
house and found Eliza ensconced In thu
upper hall on chair, with Mary Anne
doing her best to stifle her with house
hold ammonia, and Liddy rubbing hel
wrists whatever good that is suppos
ed to do knew that the ghost ha6
been walking again, and this time il
|
daylight.
Eliza was in frenzy of fear She
clutched at my sleeve when ! wen
close to her, and refused to letgo unit
she had told her story. Coming JUS
after the fire, the household was de
moralized, and it was no surprise tt
me to find Alex and the kindergarten
er struggling down stairs with heay.
hat utnop 4haY,,
+ Il didn't want to do it, Miss lines,
Alex said. But she was SO excited,
+ was afraid she would do as she said
drag it down herself, and scratch TIN
t staircase"
: was trying to get my bonnet OF
| and to keep the maids quiet at tn
t same time NOW, Eliza, when yo1
< have washed your face and stoppe'
/ bawling.' said, come into my sitting
= room and tell me what has happened.
J, Liddy put away my things withou
Il speaking. The very set of her shou
e ders expressed disapproval
: Welt l said. when the silence be
e came uncomfortable, things seem t
:. | be warn ing up."