Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-11-17
CHAPTER VII.

ana SWeetWater was ready for
the road. Musing and NUT
tering, be plOdded up the road, his
insignificant figure an unpromising
break in the monotonous white of the
wintry landscape Under ordinary cir
cumstances Sweetwater would have
met not more than half dozen carts
or sledges between the clubhouse gates
and the city streets. But today the
road was full of teams carrying all
sorts of incongruous people, eager for
a sight of the spot made forever no.
torious by a mysterious crime. He
noted them all-the faces of the men,
the gestures of the women-but he did
not show any special interest till he
came to that portion of the road where
the long line of half buried fences
began to give way to a few scattered
houses. Then his spirit woke, and he
became quick, alert and persuasive.
He entered houses; he talked with the
people Though evidently not dis
sipated man, be stopped at several
saloons, taking his time with his glass
and encouraging the chatter of all
was a natural talker and welcomed
every topic, but his eye sparkled at one
only. This he never introduced him
self; he did not need to. Some one
was always ready with the great
theme, and once 1t was started he
did not let the conversation languish
till every one present had given his or
her quota Of hearsay or opinion to the
general fund.
1t seemed a great waste of time, for
nobody had anything to say worth
The breath expended on It,
He had left the country road behind
and had entered upon the tumble Of
sheds. shops and streets which marked
rection when his quick and expert
enced eye fell on woman standing
with uncovered head in an open door
way, peering up the street in anxious
expectation of some one not yet in
sight. A second survey of the wo-
mans face convinced him that his or
dinary loquaciousness would not serve
him here There was a refinement in
her aspect quite out of keeping with
the locality in which she lived. and
he was hesitating how to proceed
when fortune favored him by driving
| against his knees a small lad on an
Ill directed sled. bringing him almost
to the ground and upsetting the child,
who began to scream vociferously.
1t was the woman's child, for she
made instantly for the gate, which, for
some reason, she found difficulty In
opening. Sweetwater was at his best
with children, and, catching the little
fellow up, he soothed and fondled him
and finally brought him with merry
air of triumph straight to his mothers
arms.
He had In his pocket an ingenious
| little invention which he had exhibited
all along the road as an indispensable
article in every well kept house. He
wanted to show it to her, but it was
too cold a day for her to stop outside
| Wouldn't she allow him to step in and
explain how her work could be ma
terially lessened and her labor turned
to play by contrivance so simple thai
a child could run it?
1t was all so ridiculous in face OF
this woman's quiet intelligence thai
he laughed at his own words. and this
laughter, echoed by the child and IL
another instant by the mother, made
everything so pleasant for the moment
that she insensibly drew back while
he pulled open the gate, only remark
Ing as she led the way in:
| 81 was looking for my husband. He
may come any minute, and I'm afraiC
be won't care much about contrivanceS
to save me work-that is, If they cost
very much"
Sweetwater, whose hand was in his
pocket. drew it hastily out.
"You were watching for your hus
bandf Do you often stand in the oper
doorway looking for him"
Her surprised eyes met his with {
stare that would have embarrassed the
most venturesome book agent. but this
man was of another ilk.
.If you do" he went on imperturb
ably, ''how much would give If yot
had been standing there last Tuesday
night when certain cutter and horse
went by on its way up the hill"
She was self contained woman
this wife of q master mechanic in ont
of the great shops hard by, but he
law fell at this. and she forgot tt
chide or resist her child when he be
gan to pull her toward the open kitch
en- door.
"You were looking out" venturet
Sweetwater. And you did see tina
horse and cutter. What luck! 1t ma!
save q mans life"
"Savew she repeated, staggering bacl
a few steps and dragging the chii'
with her, "Save a mans life! Wha
do you mean by thatT'
"Not much If 1t was any cutter ant
any horse and at any hour. But II !
was the horse and cutter which left tn
whispering Pines at 10 or half past II
that night then it may mean life o
death to the man now In jail unoe
the dreadful charge Of murder"
I oh