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

IeluSeu uSSbSTt, anu t9IL the LdplS
early, excusing himself on the ground
that he wanted to see Alex.
Alex, however, was not to be found.
1t was after eight when Halsey ordered
the car, and started down the hill at
a pace that, even for him, was unusual
| ly reckless. Shortly after, Alex re-
ported that he was ready to 60 over
the house, preparatory to closing It.
| for the night. Sam Bohannon came at
a quarter before nine, and began his
patrol of the grounds, and with the
arrival OF the two detectives to look
forward to, was not especially appre.
hensive.
| At half past nine | heard the sound
Of a horse driven furiously up the
drive. 1t came to a stop In front of
the mousse, and Immediately after there
were hurried steps on the veranda.
| Our nerves were not what they should
| have been, and Gertrude, always ap-
| prehensive lately, was at the door al
most instantly. A moment later Louise
had burst into the room and stood
| there bareheaded and breathing hard.
Where is Halsey?" she demanded.
Above her plain black gown her eyes
|
drive had brought no color to her face.
got up and drew forward chair.
HE had not come back" | said
quietly. "Sit down, child; you are
not strong enough for this kind of
thing
+ | don't think she even heard me.
HE has not come back?" she asked,
looking from me to Gertrude. do
you know where he went? Where can
find him?'
For Heavens sake, Louise" Ger
trude burst out, tell us what is wrong.
Halsey is not here. He has gone to
the station for Mr.. Jamison. What has
happened?"
ITO the station, Gertrude? You are
sure?"
Yes" I said. Listen. There is the
whistle of the train now"
She relaxed little at our matter
of-fact tone, and allowed herself to
sink into a chair.
Perhaps l was wrong she said
heavily. "He-will be here in few
moments if-everything is right"
We sat there, the three Of us, with
out attempt at conversation. Both
Gertrude and l recognized the futility
of asking Louise any questions; her
reticence was part of role she had
assumed. Our ears were strained for
the first throb of the motor as it turn
I ed Ten minutes passed, fifteen, TWEEN
/ ty. I saw Louise's hands grow rigid
/ as they clutched the arms of her chair.
1 watched Gertrude's bright color slow
ly ebbing away, and around my own
l,1N 1,,t r ,>I 4r. f~o1 41,Nr NJ
giant hand.
Twenty-Five minutes, and then a
sound. But it was not the chug of the
motor; it was the unmistakable rumble
of the Casanova hack. Gertrude drew
aside the curtain and peered into the
darkness.
Its the hack, I am sure" she said,
evidently relieved. Something has
gone wrong with the car, and no won
/ der-the way Halsey went down the
hill"
1 1t seemed long time before the
| creaking vehicle came to a stop at the
door Louise rose and stood watching
her hand to her throat. And then
(, Gertrude opened the door, admitting
Mr. Jamison and a stocky, middle
aged man. Halsey was not with them
/ When the door had closed and Louise
realized that Halsey had not come,
her expression changed. From tense
watchfulness to relief. and now again
to absolute despair, her face was an
open page.
"Halsey?" l asked unceremoniously,
Ignoring the stranger. Did he--not
meet you?'
/ No" Mr.. Jamison looked slightly
surprised 81 rather expected the car,
but we got up all right
You didn't see him at ALP Louise
demanded breathlessly.
Ito Be Continusd).