Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-06-13

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would have rnlsed. her. would her
heart ever have known the world as 1t
does now? Where's the anguish, Wes-
ley. that child can'tscomprehend? See
ing what she's seen Of her mother
hasn't hardened her. guess we'd
better keep out. Maybe Kate Com
stock knows what she's doing. Sure
as you live. Elnora has grown bigger
on knocks than she would on love-
II don't s'pose there ever was very
fine point to anything but ! missed 1t. !"
said Wesley. because I am blunt.
rough and have no book learning to
speak Of Since you put it into words
I see what you mean, but It's dinged
hard on Elnora. just the Same. And l
0on'r keep out. keep Watching closer
than ever. got my slap in the face.
hut If I don't miss my guess. Kate
Comstock learned her lesson. same as
did. She learned that l was in ear
nest, that I would haul her to court If
she didn't loosen up bit, and she'll
loosen. You see II she don't"
Up in the attic Elnora lighted two
candles, set them on her little table.
stacked the books and put away the
precious clothes lovingly. Then she
slipped into her little white nightdress.
shook down her hair that it might be-
come thoroughly dry. set chair before
the table and reverently opened one of
the books, A stir draft swept the at
tic, for 1t stretched the length Of the
cabin and had a window in each end
Elnora arose and. going to the east
window. closed it. She stood for q
minute looking Mt the stars, the sky
and the dark outline Of the struggling
trees Of the rapidly dismantling Linn
berlost. In the region of her case 9
tiny point Of light flashed and disap
peared. Elnora Strengthened and won
dered. Was it wise to leave her pre-.
cious money there? The light flashed
once more, wavered few seconds and
died out. The girl waited. She did not
see it again, and so she went back to
her books.
In the Limberlost the hulking figure
Of a man slouched down the trail.
The Bird Woman was at Freckles'
room this evening"" he muttered.
Wonder what for?"
He left the trail, entered the inclo-
sure still distinctly outlined and ap-
preached the case. The first point of
light flashed from the tiny electric
lamp on his vest. He took duplicate
key from his pocket. felt for the pad
lock and opened it. The door swung
wide. The light flashed the second
time. Swiftly his glance swept the in
terror
''Eout fourth Of her moths gone.
Elnora must have been with the Bird
Woman and given them to her" Then
he stood tense His keen eyes discov-
cred the roll Of bills hastily thrust back
in the bottom of the case. He snatched
them up, shut OF the light, relocked
the case by touch and swiftly went
down the trail. Every few seconds he
paused and listened intently. Just as
he reached the road the low boot Of q
screech owl waveringly prolonged fell
on his ears, and De stopped. An in
slant later second figure approached
him.
-..Is 1t you. Pete?" came the whispered
question.
EYES," said the first man.
II was coming down to take peep
when I saw your lash." he said. Il
heard the Bird Woman had been at the
case today. Anything doingY
'.Not thing said Pete. "she just
took away about q Fourth Of the moths.
Probably had the Comstock girl get
ting them for her. Heard they were
together. Likely she'll get the rest
tomorrow. Amt picking getting bare
these days?"
'eWell. 1 should say So" said the Sec
ond man. turning back in disgust.
Coming home now
mo; I am going down this way" an
swered Pete, for his eyes caught the
CLEAN from the window Of the Com
stock cabin. and he had desire to
learn why Elnora's attic was lighted at
that hour. e
He slouched down the road, occasion
ally feeling the size % the roll he had
not taken time to count. He chuckled
frequently.
.Feels fat enough to pay" he whis-
.pered "BilL I best you just about
seven minutes
Tho attic was too long. the light too
near the other end, and the cabin stood
much too far back from the road. He
could see nothing. although he climbed
the fence and walked back opposite the
window. He knew Mn. Comstock was
probably awake. ana that she some
times went to the swamp behind her
home 1t night AZ times cry went
mp from that locality that paralyzed