The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-03-14


part Of it. At the place
where he boarded we learned that he
got a letter from Arizona-trust the
average landlady to look at postmarks
that he seemed greatly agitated all
that day and left that night. No one |
has seen him since. Why he went is
a puzzle, where we don't care. So long |
as he keeps out of our way that's
enough"
Captain Cy did not care either. He
surmised that Mr. Atkins might prob
ably explain the disappearance. And
yet, oddly enough. this explanation
was not the true one. The Honorable
Heman solemnly assured the captain
that he had not communicated with.
Emily's father He intended to do so
as part of the compact agreed upon
at the hotel. but the man had fed.
And the mystery is still unsolved. The
supposition is that there really was a
wife somewhere in the west. Who or
where she was no Bayporter knows.
Henry Thomas has never come back
to explain.
81 told Miss Dawes of the photo
graph and what it proved" went on
Peabody. ''She was dreadfully disap-
pointed. She could hardly speak when
she left me- urged her to come in
and see you, but she wouldn't. Evi-
IDENTIFY she had set her heart on help
ing you and the child. 1t is too bad,
because. practically speaking, we owe
everything to her. There is little doubt
that the inquiry set on foot by her
scared the Thomas fellow into fight.
And she has worked night and day to
aid US. She is very clever woman,
Captain Whitaker. and good one.
You can't thank her enough. Here!
What are you about?'
Captain Cy strobe past him into the
dining room The hat rack hung on
the wall by the side door. He snatch
ed his cap from the peg and was strug-
Cling into his overcoat.
Where are you going?" demanded
the lawyer. You mustn't attempt to
walk now You need rest"
"Rest! I'll rest by and by. Just now
of that pea jacket"
But
mo butts about it I'll see you later
So long,
He threw open the door and hurried
down the walk The lawyer watched
him in amazement. Then slow smile
overspread his face.
Captain he called. Captain Whit
takerp'
Captain Cy looked back over his
shoulder. What do you want?" he
asked
Mr. Peabody's face was now intense
~ solemn. but there was twinkle in
his eye.
81 think she's at the boarding house."
he said demurely I'm pretty certain
you'll find her there"
All the regulars at the perfect board
ing house had. of course. attended the
reception at the Cy Whitaker place
None Of them. with the exception of
the schoolmistress, had as yet return
ed Dinner had been forgotten in the
excitement of the great day. and Ketu-
rah and Angeline and Mrs. Trip had
stopped in at various dwellings along
the main road to compare notes on the
captains appearance and the Atkins
address. Asaph and Bailey and Al
pheus Smalley were at Simmons.
Captain Cy knew better than to at
tempt his hurried trip by way Of the
road He had no desire to be held up
and congratulated He went across
lots, in the rear of barns and orchards.
wading through drifts and climbing
fences as no sane convalescent should.
But the captain at that moment was
suffering from the form Of insanity
known as the fixed idea. She had done
all this for him-for him. And his last
message to her had been an insult
He approached the Bangs property
by the stable lane. No one locks doors
in our village. and those Of the perfect
boarding house were unfastened. He
entered by way Of the side porch. just
as he had done when Gabe Lumley's
depot wagon first deposited him in
that yard But now he entered on tip
toe. The dining room was empty. He
peeped into the sitting room. There
by the center table sat Phoebe Dawes.
her elbow on the arm Of her chair and
her head resting on her hand.
"Ahem! Phoebe" said Captain Cy.
She started. turned and saw him
standing there Her eyes were wet,
and there was a handkerchief in her
lap.
Phoebe" said the captain anxiously,
''have you been cryin'|
| She rose on the instant. A great
wave Of red swept over her face. The
handkerchief fell to the door, and she
stopped and picked 1t up.
"Cryingy' she repeated confusedly
"Why. no. Of course OF course not
I-how do you do, Captain Whitaker
Pm-we're all very glad t. see you
home again-and well.