The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-01-12

= The +
RED MOUSE !;
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A Mystery Romance
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By WILLIAM HAMILTON
OSBORNE
(continued.)
Copyright. 1909 b, Dodd Mead q Co.

gentle his voice could be at times-..I
want you to realize the circumstances
of this case, which you seem to have
forgotten. In the presence of several
people. including yourself. this man
has deliberately confessed to pre-
meditated murder A man in my Gus.
tody is witness to the facts. No; il
Challoner were my brother or INV IA
ther-more than that. If you were in
Challoner's place today should have
TO try you-convict YOU
But the condition that made him do
this thing was abnormal she per-
sisted.
Like other men Of his kind. re-
turned Murgatroyd. .Challoner's de-
cent at times; but. generally speaking.
he's irretrieyably bad
But can't you get him off in some
way? There are ways. and you know
it,
Murgatroyd smiled grimiy.
My dear girl. if | would do this
thing l couldn't l shall go a step
further. If l could do it | wouldn't.
I couldn't look you in the face If l did
It"
You're cruel" she cried, rising. .T
ought not to have come! However,
have done what could for friend, .
she flung back at him and started to-
ward the door
Murgatroyd blocked her way.
No." he said good humoredly, not
the least discoucerted by her parting
shot. ITS my turn now. You have
attempted to corrupt me, swerve me
from my duty. and
And wasted your time, suppose.
as you were good enough to remind
me on previous OCCASION she re-
turned. looking up saucily at him I'M
der her lashes.
Murgatroyd was quick to detect her
change of mood. saying:
Won't you for the moment forget
the Challoners. Shirley? Be kind. You
give me little opportunity to see you
alone cheese days.
If you're going to make love to me
in that awfuily serious way of yours,
or, for that matter, in any other way,
I'll CO."
Aren't you going to marry me, Shir-
ley?' he demanded with characteristic
directness.
Same old story laughed the girl.
Yes; this Is the sixth time now
that I've asked you. Again, will you
marry lne?''
Don't be silly. This is hardly the
place, Billy"
4 quite agree with you. But one
has to make the most of opportunity
AS said before. the occasions are all
too rare when find myself alone with
you. And unless you want me to keep
asking you speak the word now, Shir
ley Make me happy. You may as
well say it first as last. for I'm deter
mined to win you. I'm going 10 have
YOU. he wound up enersetically.
Then why bother about my con
sent? smile lowered around her
lips.
why do you persist in refusing
me?p
Shirley flushed.
is it because Of Thorne? Is he my
successful riral:. he yentured.
Shirley looked perturbed.
No; It's not because of Thorne.
wish it were And after a moment
DO you still want to know
Yes; I've got to know, Shirley
VIII You stay right where you are
If tell you:"
Il promise raising his right hand |
half playfully.
We'll. then. it's because / love you,
she said easily.
Murgatroyd sprang toward her
@shirleyn
The girl quickly waved him back.
Its because love you or believe |
that | do that shall never marry
you. | mean it,
But why" he faltered.
Shirley sighed unconsciously.
1t is time that | made myself plain
TO you. not because you're
entitled to an explanation. but be- I
cause-well. because / like you Just q
bit"
a serious lock was on ller face. She I
seemed suddenly to have changed.
The thousand and one little manner
isns that were so large part Of the I
girls attractiyeness we're ali there. but
the voice was nc longer tho n1irthfrl I
voice of the Shirley nat he knew ard /
loved. She spoke as though in !.
rance:
Can you understand ne when j sa7
nat have got to have sometime
more than loee? | am TOO practical.
Billy. to fool ,nggeIf-or you. Perhaps /
M cursed with the instincts of my
lind-of thu American girl. oh, let
ne tell You now 1t is,o she exclaimed
mpusively "All my life I've been
by men who were failures.
W grandfather was failure. my IA /
her was failure. and my brothers
re failures. They have tainted ms
happiness. Don't misunderstood me. !
ore hem. but ! can't look up to them.
But-you don't want money!" he
rotested You're too much the right
ort Of nm American girl for that"
no. not exactly money. But the
nan who appeuls 10 me is one who /
an surmount all obstacles" she nm