The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-01-06


she checked off from her memora ndum
upon mr. household pad.
There ws. an almost nnheard sinkle
az an altogether unseen bell ard he
fore It's Sound died away Stevens bad
gone to answer.
-Wha, il it.~ asked Mrs ChaIIoner
when she summoned Foster. 4 don't
want 10 see anybody. | can't see any
body. WON'T she ended almost hys-
tericalIy. and. gathering her trailing
skirts in her hands. she Ted TO her
room.
But no scaner had she reached the
door than Shirley Bloodgood followed
on her heels.
Il Just simply couldn't stay away
from ynu my longer. Miriam" she de-
cIared. Il know you don't want me
here. but can'i leave ron.
Miriam Chalioner sank weakly al Q
table Finally she leaned toward llpr
visitor and asked. world of pathos In
the question:
Isis there any news outsider"
Shirley hesifated irnnerceptibly
None IL haven't seen the papers.
No. there's nothing new
Mrs. Challoner threw her arms about
the girl
Shirley. Shirley. I'd hare gone mad,
| think. If you iiadn't Gomez she cried
and fell TO sobbing. but after mo-
ment she Strengthened up again. There
was defiant look in her face now. a
tremor In the voice that said: Il don't
care what he's done. want Laurie to
come back do you understand?
want him baek-I want him
Shirley BIcodgood bit her lips
Il know, | know. Miriam do I'M
derstand--
aOh. but you can't understand she
persisted you haven't husband,
and you don't know"
Yes. res. Miriam. know were
the only words that rose to the girls
lips TO comfort her. for at that mo-
ment the faint sound of the insistent
doorbeII broke in upon them.
Mrs. Chailoner's slight frame shook
with sudden agitation as she exciaim-
ed:
THAT doorbell will drive me crazy
And. almost instantly recovering her
composure. she gasped:
If it should be Laurie.'
The girl glanced at the snoldering
fire In the CRATE. where to her excited
fancy In all their hideousness rose be-
fore her the headlines she had read in
the evening papers, "ChalIoner Caught
In Chicagor'
How are we going TO break the
news to hery. sighed Shirley as she
quickly left the room Just outside OF
the door she encountered Stevens. and.
quickly placing her finger on her lips.
she motiuHed hinl to be silent When
they were well ont OF hearing he an
nounced in confidential tone:
-Mr. Murgatroyd. Miss Bloodgood.e
MIR Murgairoydl William Murga-
troyd? What does he want, Stevensy"
She was plainly excited
"Sh-h-h"' warned Stevens gently
Hes the prosecutor OF fhe pleas"
'.Oh. then Ii is Mr.. William Murga-
ivy W. bul h1dt OOf-S Tx WANT.
Stevens shook his head The next
moment Shirley Bloodgood had enter
ed the drawing room and stood gazing
into the face OF William Murgatroyd
Shirley BlondgoedF' The name fell
Incredulously from his lips. "You
here?"
Shirley held out her hand.
And you what are yon doing
here?" she nsked quickly. Il didn't
know that you were friend Of the
family"
Tall. well built with smooth shaw
en- face. a square chin and nose that
stood well out into the air. Murgatroyd
was man who appeared to be with
out enthusiasm; but although sharp
and businesslike. his manner was easy
Turning to Shirley, he came to the
point at once.
announced. But I'm glad you're here.
for don't know her very well. and
You can't very we'll see her now"
Shirley interrupted shaking her head
shes frightfulIy unstrung. She's iii.
You know It's almost three weeks now
since Laurie first went away. and
Il know he broke in Just a bit Inn
patiently.
'What!'' Shirley gasped, the truth at
last dawning upon her. You don't
mean TO say that you're here in--in
your official capacityT'
Murgatroyd smiled grimly.
ITS the oniy capacity in which I'm
likely TO be here. Shirley" he remind
ed her.
But" she protested. 81 thought they
| left these things to-
THE police he finished. and again
smiled grimly. They do. but there
are reasons. You see he went on to
explain. since was appointed prose-
cutor of the pleas I've turned up a
thing or two in the police department,
and. well. the police department and !
are somewhat out Of tune This case
they have put up to me and my men"
Surely you can't mean TO imply that
you have TO do this kind of thing your
selfT'
Yes: it's up to me ! am sorry to
remind you he went on. the full re.