Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-07-04

Z 4, 1911.
the head Of It. MY own people would
hear reason II 1t weren't for him. he
knows--oh. he knows all the things
that nobody ought to. He doesn't want
me ever to see Miriam II can't get
away from him. / can't possibly get
away from him" She was growing
historical again, and I dared not let
her go on, much as ! wanted to hear
more.
He isn't here, anyway" I said. He
isn't anywhere about, and he isn't
coming, and you have got away from
him this time. And I'm going to take
you safe home and see that no one
troubles you any more"
felt that was talking like q fool,
but my reinsurance, fatuous as It
was, had its suggestive effect. She
grew steadier, and was able to lead
her mind away from It's terror. until.
as we reached the station, she had be-
come almost like herself.
"Mr. Crosby" she said as the cab
stopped, you've done me difficult
service very tactfully, and you are a
wonderful nurse; I'm really quite my
self now. and there's no need at all of
your coming home with me. But l
want you to understand a little why |
had such an absurd shock. That man
Is insane, and I'm afraid of him. But
I can't make my family believe II"
I tried to pay the least attention.
I'd better come with you anyhow" l
said carlessly, just to be on hand.
There's no harm In having man
along"
She protested that she was quite
well, and that there was not the slight
est occasion for my trouble. And in
deed, she was SO marvelously. recOv-
cred that 1t was hard for me to be-
lieve my own memory of the last few
the oppression had passed
from her as a slate Is cleared by q
sponge, and there was hardly a sign
Of visible nervousness to show that
she had been excited. Nevertheless,
could not leave her so, though was
my brain for an explanation,
and raging at the responsibility which
prevented me from hurrying back to
seek It, AS | was buying the tickets,
a god from the machine appeared in
the person of Sheila, armed for travel
and looking more anxious than our
selves She took possession of the
older woman like nurse discovering
a lost child.
Here We are on your way home
again." she cried, IAN me thinkin' I'd
have to go all thd way out alone on
the hot thrain, with no one. better than
That man Of mines off to sea,
Mrs. Tabor, an Miss Margaret sent
me word to come back an make me-
self useful But ye'd be KNOWN that
already. Ye're only In the city for the
day"
''Mrs. Tabor and have been lunch,
ing together" I said. land 1t seemed
so hot In town that hardly liked to
have her go home alone"
"Ye've been" Sheila shot a quick
glance at me- "Well, there'lll be no
need, Mr.. Crosby, unless We were to
come to Stamford yourself. anyway"
and she began to inquire volubly after
the health of the family.
So far as could tell, she was right:
and l had no further need of overrid.
ing dismissal. saw them both safely
on the train, and hurried back: re.
solved to reach the bottom of at least
this new mystery before | slept that
night. My telephone call was answered
by Reid. upon whom wasted no I'M
necessary words, telling him that Mrs.
Tabor had been continuously with me,
and was now on her way home in
charge Of Shelia.
why on earth didn't you phone
before?" he snapped.
Couldn't" said shortly. Good
BY" and raced for the subway.
A north bound express was Just
leaving, and / had barely time to
squeeze inside the door The nearest
station to the house would be Sixty
sixth street; but by taking the express
to Seventy-second. and running back
on a local, should save time hung
on my strap, fideeting with impotence
while we howled through the clashing
darkness and flashed past the blurred
brilliancy of the stations. AS we
passed Sixty-first street, a local drew
out in the same direction as ourselves,
running for moment side by side
with us before 1t fell behind. It's rows
or nSlCeO WINDOWS DdlHnCeO almost
within reach; and close inside. in one
Of the cross-seats amidships of the car
sat the man whose presence had 80
terrified Mrs. Tabor.
There was no MISLEADING that face,
even If the silk hat and formal frock-
coat had not been at that season al
most an Identification in themselves.
1 could as soon have mistaken Ibsen
or Napoleon appearing in the, flesh.
The massive head was bent forward
and one broad white
hand lay loose along the window-sill.
I noticed plain gold ring on the little
finger. Then, as the express began to
slacken speed. the window. moved
slowly past me and out Of sight ahead.
| had a strong sense OF having seen
the face many times before. though,
try as would. could not fit,i to q
name. He was either some person
well enough known to have his picture
often In print or else the striking dis
of his features had given me
that impression.