Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-24

himself and threw the key out of the
Window" the little man asked.
THE windows are covered with mos
quito netting, nailed on. The mister
blamed it on the children, and II might
have been Obadiah, He's the quiet kind,
and you never know what's he's about"
Hes about to strangle. isn't he" Nc
Knight remarked laziy, "or is that oba-
diah2"
Mrs. Carter picked the boy up and in
verted him, talking amiably all the time
Hes always doing it," she said, giving
him a shake. Whenever we miss any
thing we look to see IL ObadIahs black in
the face She gave another shake, and
the quarter l had given him shot out as
IL blown from gun. Then we prepared
to go back 10 the station.
From where l stood 1 could look into
the CHEEKY farm kitchen, where Alison
West and 1 had eaten our al fresco break
fast ! looked at the table with mixed
emotions, and then, gradually, the mean
ing OF something penetrated my mind.
Stl in its papers, evidently just opened,
was a hat box and protruding over the
edge of the box was a streamer of vivid
green ribbon.
on the plea that l wished to ask Mrs.
Carter few more questions, ] let the
others so on. l watched them down the
fagstone walk; saw Mcknight stop and
examine the gate posts and saw, too, the
quick glance he threw back at the house.
Then turned TO Mrs. Carter
II would like to speak to the young lady
upstairs" ! said.
She threw up her hands with a quick
gesture OF surrender. 'Tve done all 1
ppt,Id gha a.
very well, Nbut-she's in the room over the
parlor"
l went eagerly up the ladder-like stairs,
TO the rag-carpeted hall. Two doors were
open, showing interiors OF four poster beds
and high bureaus The door OF the room
over the parlor was almost closed.
hesitated in the hallway: after all what
right had l to intrude on her? But she
settled my difficulty by throwing open the
door and facing me.
IL beg your pardon, Miss West" I
stammered. 1T has just occurred to me
that 1 am unpardonably rude. saw the
hat downstairs and II guessed"
The hat" she said. Il might have
known. Does Richey know 1 am here?"
Il don't think 80" ! turned TO 20 down
the stairs again Then / halted. ''Tbs
fact Is" said, in an attempt at iustifIca
tion, I'm IN rather a mess these days
and I'm apt to do irresponsible things II
is not impossible that ] shall be arrested
in day or so, for the murder Of simon
Harrington"
She drew her breath In sharply MUIR
der" she echoed Then they have found
YOU after ALI"
Il don't regard it as anything. more
thsn-er-inconvenient, lied. They
cant convict me- you know. Almost all
the witnesses are dead"
She was not deceived for a moment She
came over TO me and stood, both hands
on the rail Of the stair II know Just
how grave 1t is," she said quietly Ny
grandfather will not leave one stone un-
turned, and he can be terrble-terrible.
But"-she looked directly into my eyes as
l stood below her on the stairs-"the time
may come o--soon-When 1 can help You
I'm afraid l shall not want to; I'm a
dreadful coward. Mr., Blakeley. But--I
VIM She tried to smile.
Il wish you would let me help you" /
said unsteadny "Let ms make IL a bar
gain-each help the other"
The girl shook her nead with a sad little
smile ~ am only as unhappy as l de.
serve 90 be, she said. And when / pro-
tested and took a step toward her she
retreated, with her hands out before her.
why don't you ask me all the questions
you are thnking?" she demanded, with
catch In her voice. on / know them or
are you afraid 20 ask?"
10 BE Continued)
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