Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-18

81 RED MOUSE
A Mystery,
Romance
r
Copyright. 1909. by Dodd.
Mead q Co.

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CHAPTER XII.
COMEWHERE ON the east side,
beyond Creamery park and lrv-
ing place, with their beautiful
- old houses, where poverty and
suffering are all about, and which are
commonly termed 1.-The slums" some
where there. we say. in one OF the
smaller tenement buildings some
months later Miriam Challoner, one
time woman of society, took refuge.
In far corner Of one of her two
little rooms was stove on which a
frugal meal was cooking-a meal that
in former days she would not have
thought possible even for her serv-
ants. At the window Of this room,
which was bedroom and living room
combined, upon small table was
typewriter, before which sat Miriam
Challoner, clad in somber dress. She
was pale, and her face was grief strick-
| en-the look Of q woman acquainted
with grief
Suddenly she halted and fingered the
copy lying on the table at her right.
Twenty more pages. 1 can't dc
them now" she muttered and, cross
Ing the room, threw herself upon the
bed, cheap bed that groaned as If it
felt her weight upon it.
"Nred: I'm so tiredv" she moaned.
Suddenly she sat bolt upright, for
the sound of timid knock on the door
had reached her ears. A moment
more, and she was at the door. For a
second Miriam could not believe her
own eyes. Then she cried, half joy
fully, half regretfully:
"Why. it's Shirley Bloodgood! oh,
why did you comeT'
"Why did you hide from me?" quick
~ returned Shirley. II have searched
for you for months, and it was only
yesterday that learned from Stevens
where you were, who, by the way, had
orders not to reveal your wherea bouts %
But why did you Gomez" Miriam
protested.
Shirley stretched forth her arms, say
ing:
"And you didn't want to see met"
Eyes, yes!" cried Miriam, clinging to
Shirley affectionately. But l hoped
you never would see this" And she
spread out her arms as though to ex-
hibit the room.
"What poor opinion you have of
me! Why, Miriam, value your
friendship too highly to desert you on
account Of this.'
"And Laurie-how is he" asked
Shirley.
Miriam's eyes kindled for an instant.
Poor boy" she answered, hes un-
der such strain. It's wonder he
doesn't break down. He's SO good and
kind through it all too. He's a fine
fellow now," she went on, with great
| enthusiasm.
Let me see" said Shirley reminis-
Gently. His conviction was reversed
on appeal. wasn't it?"
why, no. Don't you remember that
it was affirmed
II do remember now. And it was
the next day that you ran away from
me. and I've never seen you since. AT.
firmed- affirmed, she mused and then
inquired eagerly, Then how did he
| get OFF,
Nobody knows" replied Miriam
mot even Laurie. One day after the
affirmance the jail doors were opened
and he was free-that's ALL"
Surely Murgatroyd knows" said
Shirley.
"Oh, yes, he knows, but we never
ask questions. Why should we?
shall never forget him. remember
him in my prayers. He was honest
he kept his word"
Shirley smiled grim smile.
"Murgatroyd, the man with prtceg
II can't forgive myself" sighed Mir
lam.
you? What for, pray?" asked shir
ley.
For hurting out in the courtroom
what did when the jury found Lau
RE guilty. 1t was treachery! 1 had
promised, don't you see?"
"Murgatroyd would have been foo
to acquit Laurie on that trial." added
Shirley sneeringly. "Oh. yes, he's
clever"
Fortunately nobody believed me-
exclaimed Miriam.
Except myself" observed Shirley
land Murgatroyd."
"Even Laurie didn't believe me-
went on Miriam. I'VE never discuss
the subject. anyway. It's barely pos.
sible." she said. flushing. that he
thinks we spent the money long ago."
There was pause that was trifle
embarrassing to both women. Miriam
was the first to speak.
"Murgatroyd is making name for
himself, isn't he?"
who wouldn't with stolen money
/ to back him!' Shirley exclaimed.
Miriam shook her head.
Hes doing good work with it. He's
breaking up the organization-the in
side ring. I'm sure that his work is
felt even over here in-the-slums.' .
| And then she added vehementiy, .'But
his best work will be over when he
breaks up Cradlebaugh's. IL he''-
after he downs Cradlebaugh's," in
terrupted Shirley. II hope he'll down
himself. That's my wish for Billy
Murgatroyd."
"Murgatroyd is honest" protested
Miriam.
You mistake his motive, Miriam"
i mt M, fss1A unSo %r{~