Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-07-01

was oppressed even to insanity by the
situation. But what was the situation?
II the mothers madness of bereave-
ment were at the root Of all. what had
the family to conceal? Or why should
not the remaining daughter marry
whom she chose? Shetla's explanation
Of tho first was absurdly tenuous; and
the last she had not attempted to ex-
plain. No, there was one shadow over
them all: the cause OF the mothers
grief was the cause OF the daughters
terror, and OF the irrational behavior
of the sane and practical man of the
family. could find no ALTERNATIVES;
either Mrs. Tabor was haunted by
medieval ghosts, or some part OF the
scandal must be true.
"a At last, one unbearably humid morn
Ing, when l was almost on the point
of going blindly out to Stamford on
the chance of any happening that
might let my anxiety escape into &c.
ton, Of any opportunity that might
force a climax, Mr.. Tabor called me
on the telephone.
Hello, Mr.. Crosby? Mr.. Lawrence
Crosby well. Crosby, this is Mr.. Ia
Dor talking. Are you free this morning,
so that you can give us few hours
of your time? You can help us very
much If you will"
Certainly, I'll be out as soon as
can get train The idea of seeing
Lady again was compensation under
any circumstances but the next words
destroyed that hope.
+ "No, don't do that. What I want OF
you Is right there in New, York" He
hesitated q moment "Hello--that--
same situation which occurred the
other day, when you were alone In
the house, and we were In town, has
arisen again. You understand me?,-
We're looking after this neighborhood.
The person in question has been gone
an hour, leaving no word: may have
gone to New York Now, will you
meet all trains until further notice,
and keep your eyes open? Call us up
about every half hour. In case Of sue
cess, use your own judgment--don'
excite any one, don't be left behind.
and telephone as soon as possible. Am
making this explicit enough?"
Eyes, perfectly. I'm to meet trains,
let matters take their own course as
far as possible, keep in touch, and let
you know"
That's it exactly. knew we could
count on you.
was not many minutes in getting
to the Grand Central, laying my plan
of action on the way. To be sure that
no one arrived unobserved in that
great labyrinth of tracks and exits
was no such easy matter, even though
l knew the point of departure. be-
gan by thorough search of the wait
ing-rooms. Then, finding, as had ex-
pected, no trace of Mrs. Tabor, I
learned the times and positions OF all
the Stamford trains, and set myself
to meet each one as 1t arrived. had
to make certain of seeing every pas.
senger, and at the same time to keep
out of the expectant tlirong that
crowded close to the restraining ropes
on similar errand; for II Mrs. Tabor
should appear must not seem to be
watching for her. The next hour and
a half was divided between studying
the clock, running my eyes dizzily
over streams of hurrying humanity.
racing anxiously from place to place
when a late train crowded close upon
its successor. and snatching a moment
at the telephone in the intervals Of
nervous waiting. Even so, could not
be morally sure that she might not
ltslir by me unnoticed. And when at
last recognized her fragile figure
far down the long platform, was
lees excited than relieved.
She came on quickly, carrying a
little shopping bag, and stepping with
a certain birdlike alertness. It was
hard to imagine that this eager, pretty
lady, with her spun glass hair and her
bright eyes. could be either Ill or in
trouble. let her pass me, and fol-
lowed at little distance into the
waiting-room; then crossed over and
met her face to face by the telephone
booths on the west side. Her greeting
was fresh surprise.
"Why, Mr.. Crosby, this is delight
fully fortunate was just going to call
you up and here you spring from the
earth as II had rubbed magic
ring. You must have known that was
thinking about you. You're not going
away, are you7 Or meeting any one?"
II she had meant anything in partic-
ular, had reason to feel embar-
raised; but the big, childish eyes that
smiled into my own seemed wholly in.
nocent of suspicion.
NO" I said. I've been seeing
somebody off, and I'm very gladly at
your service for as long as you like"
was praying Heaven to inspir me
with mendacity.
well, that's the best that could
have happened. came in town to see
some friends, and promised myself
to see you at the same time. Excuse
me Just half q minute while I tele-
phone them"
(To Be Continued.)
A Life Sentence
OF suffering with throat and lung
trouble is quickly committed by DR..