Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-17

Lazy bitterly. He Is like Lnat Wuen
he has been drinking. Sheila was
afraid something would happen when
he came back"
"Sheila?"
Lady glanced at the figure before US.
That is Sheila," she said. "She used
to be my nurse"
picked the woman up In my arms.
She was heavier than had thought;
not beyond my strength, but more than
/ could walk with safely down those
crazy stairs.
'Pll call the chauffeur" said. "He
can help carry her down.
Yes; but I'd rather he didn't see
this" s
He'd see her anyhow, when we
brought her down; and we can't do
anything for her here. Where shall
put herr"
Wasn't there bed in that room?"
she asked.
"Slip of your coat; she will be all
right on the floor minute"
Lady took of the long coat and
spread 1t upon the boards, taking
Sheila's hand in her lap as laid her
down upon it. I raised the little win
dow, and looked down into the street.
The car stood there, it's lights glazing
monstrously down the empty street.
"Hi!" called. "You chauffeur!
Leave the car and come up here"
Below, figure detached itself from
the shadow of the car. what, sir"
he shouted up.
Come up here: We want you"
The man did not answer, and turned
h4N II 10 II Ny0f oh -,
grily, but after a moment he crossed
the sidewalk and disappeared into the
hall doorway.
II wouldn't blame her husband too
surely" said, as turned from the
window. II think the man who struck
her was an Italian"
Lady started. What makes you
think so?" she asked in whisper.
I shook my head. but did not
answer.
Never mind" said Lady, "but you
are right. Her husband Is an Italian"
It was my turn to start. What I
cried. WAS he by any chance also a
sailor?"
She nodded, frightened eyes upon
me. And wondered what it was all
about, for the man lying upon the bed
in the inner room was the man whom
had seen at the inn bar, the man who
threatened her father, the man to
whom her-her husband had given
money.
met the chauffeur in the hall,
putting. and evidently Disguised.
"A very low quarter, sir. was
afraid for my life below; and this Is a
dirty, bad-smelling 'ouse, sir
WELL" said, there is woman
who Is sick in here, and Miss Tabor
has come to take her away In the car.
You are to help me to carry her
down."
He shifted dolefully, and I opened
the door, closing it quickly behind
him.
Mrs. Carucci has been hurt" Miss
Tabor. "You are to help Mr.. Crosby
carry her down to the car"
The man stared at the woman on
the floor. "Hurt?" he cried. "Mr.
Crosby said she was i'll" He glanced
about the clean little room, disordered
by the violence that had passed and
shranke back against the wall, white
and staring.
Whats that?" He pointed to the
dark stain near the door.
That" answered lightly. lis none
Of your business. Suppose you take
her feet"
The man turned sick green. Its
Blood he whispered. Its murder.
Nonsense, man: the woman Is
alive. She fell and hurt her head,
that's all. At any rate, we are going
to take her where she can be cared
for. Take her feet We ought not
to leave the car too long" "
The fellow shook his head.
"She is dead" he repeated sullenly.
There has been murder done. I'll
have nothing to do with it,
Miss Tabor broke in: Thomas,
you heard what Mr. Crosby said. You
are to help him this instant"
II am not" he said. II have done
more and seen more than decent
man should, already. A fine district
this is for this hour Of the night, with
cut throats asleep in the street and a
dead woman lying above. give no.
tice now, and go now
You'll do nothing Of the kind" re.
torted Have you no loyalty?"
II am as honest as the next" he an.
swered, too honest, or should have
gone month ago. 'Tis no place for
decent, quiet man, what with fly.
by-night sawbones living in my gar.
age, and all sorts of strange folks go
ing and coming at the house, and calls
at all hours, and Lord knows what go.
ing on. 'Tis no decent place. I'm
through right now! For the love OF
God, what's that?"
The sound had startled us all, and
It was repeated sound betwixt q
groan and growl. | glanced toward
the door Of the inner room.
my Cod" cried Thomas. There's
another of them!" He started across
the room, but was before him.
turned the key in the door, and placed
my back against it. From within the
growls came with greater frequency
The chauffuer stood before me, shak
ing with the anger Of terror.
VERY we'll" said, "you go down to
your car and start the engine. will
carry the woman down without YOU
The man hesitated.
"Go!" cried, and took step for.
ward. He whimpered out an oath
and turning. clattered down the stairs
as II the devil were after him. turn