The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-01-09


X and Billy Murgatroyd the
worst of allp' The exciama-
ton fell from Shirley Blood
goods lips.
why. thought you liked Mr. Muir
gatroyd. shirieyf'
You have things badly twisted,
Miriam he likes me" Aud, suddenly
rising to her feet. she capped ner
hands impusively. "Oh. Miriam. I've
good news for you..'
Good news. What good newsT
Miriam asked increduiously.
Prosecutor Nurgatroyd." she began.
told nae IN CONFIDENCE
In conndencew Miriam repeated.
Then you had better not
Shirley shook her head beiligerently.
'Oh. no. she laughed. Its all
right. Billy Murgatroyd 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
that man should have somebody
to 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
yes. yes" assented Miriam; ''tell
me. must know"
"Murgatroyd told me. Miriam. the
greatest cock and bull story you ever
heard" Miriam looked as II her brain
would snap. 1T seems that the papers
hare distorted. exaggerated every
thing. Tie fact Is. Miriam. dear, the
case Is the 6imsiest"-
Miriam drew a deep breath.
Then Shirley went on TO tell that
nobody had seen Hargraves killed. no
body had seen the shot fred: that they
had only got some disreputable gam
bier or other who claimed to have wit
messed quarrel between them.
And. oh. yes she added a moment
later. "the man that killed Hargraves
robbed him OF $4,000. and. of course.
Lawrence ChalloBer 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
slowly. whether he would or not"
What" gasped the girl
Don't misunderstood me-" pleaded
the woman. There are two Lawrence
Challoners One is the man love
that loves me: the other Is the Law
renee Challoner who--well. don't
care" she added Hercely. what he's
done, want him back" She sobbei
| for an instant. You didn't know.
| Shirley. that we had a quarrel. /
treated him badly. shamefully. He
| hasn't come back since"
You quarreled you, Miriam"
About money" admitted the con-
science stricken woman money. He
wanted ME 10 give him some. Men
have got to have money" she went on,
repeating his words. land wouldn't
give him any. 1t was brutal in me. /
can never forgive myself"
| look of establishment crossed Shir.
| ley's face.
You wouldn't give him any mon.
ey? And DC didn't have any when he
went away"
Miriam wept. After moment she
answered:
NO. My poor Laurie. Think OF
him starving, freezing, perhaps dy.
ing.'
Shirley Bloodgood drew a long
breath
And Colonel Hargraves was rob
bed she murmured to herself.
Il don't think you understand" Nj
| finm went on, breathing IN upon her
| thoughts. "Of course don't believe
that Laurie * gully OF the things they
cinrge him with But he must come
back and stand trial and he acquitted
-nnd must stand by his side through
It all" She broke down completely.
Whats that" inquired Mrs. Chat
Toner. starting up nervously, In alarm
Its that horrible bell ringing again.
she went Oh brra,llessly.
Shirley stole TO the door and listen
ID. Suddenly the door was pushed
stealthiIy open.
! stevens came In and stood Mt atten
ton. He drew II long intake OF breath
then he spoke the name:
Alr ChalIoner.''
! And hardly were the words ont oil
us mouth thnp he was thrust aside
md there STOOD IN his place spare
aunt. lettering hgure--n man disney
ed. soi'~d. exhausted james Law
'nce Challoner had come home.
The young wifs's face turned pnle
I'D for moment words failed her
hen MI OF sudden she sprang 10 he