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

been intense enough to drive him to
this dirty alternative rather than trust
to our sending the man safely away.
There was something unnatural here.
mot quite" said. cot course, you
know the exact nature of the fellows
Matchmaking story?"
Certainly. Pack of lies Won't dis
cuss it. Utterly absurd, the whole
thing, but we can't have 1t 60 any
further" l
Precisely, and 1t won't 60 any
further, now. What want to know Is
the foundation for 1t. You must see the
reason for my knowing that much OF
the facts, and for trusting me with
them. If there is any entanglement-
Look here, Crosby" Reid leaned
forward across the table, his face
scarlet and working, "that'll do. l
don't propose to slit over my life with
you. Not for a minute. What's more,
II we could afford row, I'd punch
your head for having the assurance to
repeat that Internal slander to my
face. That's all do you understand!
That's all"
There's plenty Of time for that" l
said, lowering my voice instinctively,
as felt my own temper slipping. I'll
ask you just one more question. On
your word, Is Miriam Tabor alive, or
not?"
I never saw man so broken by
word. He turned from red to greentsh
white, the perspiration shining on his
forehead; and for the moment 1t
seemed that he could not speak. Then
he dragged the words out hoarsely
and unnaturally.
you've taken a damned cowardly
advantage-Miriam Tabor was my
wife, and she's dead. Now are you
satisfied? Because I'm not"
There was nothing to add. I rose IN
silence, and we made our way to the
door. On the sidewalk, he waited for
me to choose my direction; then with.
out word, turned pointedly in the
opposite one, and walked quickly
away.
set out for the Carucci tenement
in state Of no great comfort BY fore
ing scene had gained nothing; and
had made an overt enemy Of Doctor
Reid Not that I was particularly con-
cerned over that development; l had
never liked the man from the first;
and was impressed not so much by
what he had said as by his open and
disproportionate confusion. Think
what might of my own side of the
affair, Reid had confessed to a per-
sonal concern with Carucci; he had
flown into. rage upon my asking for
an explanation; and the name OF Mir
lam had stricken him like blow. He
had told me nothing, after all, and had
made me the more anxious over what
he refused to tell. II he had been alb
solutely. in the right, I had done moth
ing worse than to touch upon grief
brutality. and he would have said pre-
cisely what he did say II had been
justified and he had been lying. Well,
Carucci was out OF reach, and Reid
worse than silenced. What chance re-
manned to me Of an, answer to my
problem depended upon Sheila.
l had no time to doubt If l should
find her; for her window was lighted
up, and she herself plainly to be seen
leaning far out to watch the street be
low as I turned the corner. When
was still half was up the block she
called to me by name. bidding me
come up at once; ard answered as
picked my way along. trying to re-
assure her. The scene for moment
resembled a ludicrous burlesQue OF
serenade: nor did the street miss
anything of its humor. With one &C.
cord the women in the doorways, the
lounging men about the lamps and
the scurrying screaming groups OF
youngsters underfoot caught up the
Implication, and began babel OF
1ocose advice and criticism in dozen
languages. And although understood
but little OF it, and was somewhat pre-
occupied with graver matters, yet |
was fain to dive hurriedly into the
doorway with heated and tingling
countenance The little room was
itself again. save for dull spot upon
the clean-scrubbed boards; and the
canary in the window paused In a
burst of singing as entered.
"Sheila," said. I'm very much
afraid YOU won't like my news"
well. sir. what's happened him?'
she asked briefly.
You're right" / answered. It's
your husband. but it's nothing to be
alarmed about. nothing at all danger
GUS. You must"
For the love of God don't thry
to break things to me, sir. Speak right
out. He's not hurt. We saw; well, he's
pinched then, supposed"
mo. it's not the police. He's been
shanghaied, If you know what that
means"
"Crimped? It's thrne for ye | know;
tits twice before he's been. but who
done it never could tell. Av thought
amy av my folk that's afraid av his
silly tongue wud do. that dhirty thrick
- she stopped short, her strong
face working.
was rather angry myself. "Well
Sheila, don't believe they had any.
thing to do with it before; but 1t
was Doctor Reid who had it done to.
day I was there. but it was over be-
fore understood what was going on
Reid? I shud ha' know twas Reid
the shamblin' scum he Is. an small
good them that loved him best ever
had av him! Now, the divil hould his
dhirty little pinch Of soul! For why
shud he harm my man."
That's what want to know" l
said. He's afraid of what Antonio Gays
about him and vo, Know