Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-12
81 RED MOUSE
A Mystery
Romance
"
CHAPTER vi.
every one of them.
and Billy Murgatroyd the
worst of ALP The exclama-
- ton fell from Shirley BLOOD.
Copyright. 1869. by Dodd.
Mead & Co.

and Billy Murgatroyd the
worst of ALP The exclama-
ton fell from Shirley Blood
goods lips.
why, 1 thought you liked Mr.. Muir
Is stroyd, Shirley?"
1"You have things badly twisted,
bIiriam--he likes me-" And. suddenly
1rising to her feet, she clapped her
bands impulsively. "Oh, Miriam. I've
|lgood news for you!"
"Good news? What good news?"
Miriam asked incredulously.
Prosecutor Murgauoyd," she began,
told me in CONFIDENCE
I'm confdence!" Miriam repeated.
Then you had better not
Shirley shook her head belligerently.
"Oh. no." she laughed. Its all
right. Billy Murgaroyd likes to tell
things to me. He told me once that
he believed that to be one of the con-
trolling motives that led to matrimony
7Lthat a man should have somebody
ITO tell things to-"
But again protested Miriam.
Once more, Shirley silenced her.
"No shall tell you. This may be a
matter of life and death. Besides. you
are entitled to know the truth"
Eyes, yes" assented Miriam; "tell
me. must know
"Murgatroyd told me. Miriam, the
greatest cock and bull story you ever
heard" Miriam looked as if her brain
would snap. 1T seems that the papers
have distorted. exaggerated every
thing. The fact is, Miriam, dear, the
case is the flimsiest'-
Miriam drew deep breath.
Then Shirley went on to tell that
nobody had seen Hargraves killed, no.
body had seen the shot fired; that they
had only got some disreputable gam
a bier or other who claimed to have wit
fessed quarrel between them. \
AZ "And. oh, yes" she added moment
6later, 'the man that killed Hargraves
roBsed him of $4,000. and. of course.
VI Lawrence Challoner wouldn't rob a
man, much less kill one so. don't you
see, there's nothing in the story at ALL"
II don't know" answered Miriam
fslowly, whether he would or not"
"Whatw gasped the girl
Don't misunderstood me-" pleaded
ethe woman. "There are two Lawrence
Challoners One is the man l love
yhat loves me: the other is the Law
fence Challoner who-weil. + don't
care" she added fercely. what he's
ldone, want him back" She sobbed
for an instant. You didn't know
EShirley, that we had quarrel. !
treated him badly, shamefully. He
hasn't come back SINCE"
"You quarreled-you, Miriamw
q about money" admitted the con.
science stricken woman-"money. He
wanted me to give him some. Men
Y have got to have money" she went on,
repeating his words. land i wouldn't
] give him any. 1t was brutal in me. /
can never forgive myself"
A look of aStonishment crossed Shir-
ley's face.
Il "You wouldn't give him any mon
\ey? And he didn't have any when he
Invent away?"
NJ Miriam wept After moment she
\ answered:
mo. My poor Laurie! Think of
Thin starving. freezing, perhaps dy-
Ting"
Y Shirley Bloodgood drew a long
breath.
"And Colonel Hargraves was rob-
bed" she murmured to herself.
\ Il don't think you understand" Mi
\ Ram went on. breaking in upon her
thoughts. "Of course l don't believe
! that Laurie is guilty Of the things they
Charge him with. But he must come
pack and stand trial and be acquitted
U-and must stand by his side through
1t ALL" She broke down completely.
whats that?" inquired Mrs. Chal-
loner, starting up nervously, in alarm.
tits that horrible bell ringing again"
she went on breathlessly.
Shirley stole to the door and listen
ed. Suddenly the door was pushed
{ stealthily open.
N Stevens came in and stood at atten-
tOn. He drew long intake Of breath,
then he spoke the name:
\ Mr. Challoner!'
And hardly were the words out Of
Ais mouth than he was thrust aside,
md there stood in his place spare,
yaunt tottering figure-a man dishev-
Dled, sotled, exhausted-James Law
renee Challoner had come home!
The young wife's face turned pale,
md for moment words failed her.
Ehen all Of sudden she sprang to her
let, crying in an ecstasy Of joy:
Laurie. Laurie! You've come home
10 me at last" And throwing her
Arms around his neck, she kissed him
many times, laughing Historically and
crying the while, you've come back
% mel"
H But Challoner cast her OF with a
frantic sweep Of the arm.
keep away" he cried. "rm dog
Il bred! I've got to sleep, sleepy'
\ Shirley was keenly alive to what his
presence there might mean.
Y Stevens" she called. pointing to a
N window, pull that curtain down. l
pulled it up after they went; pull It
town."
~ Challoner now turned upon her.
leave the curtain alone, tell you"
he said. u don't care IL It is up6. I
don't care about you either. nor you"
looking at his wife. Il don't know
4 you. must have sleep. sleep, Sleep"
n Deep down in her soul Shirley knew
that she should not hear all this, and
II she would hive fed if Sha had NIT