The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-08-10

Miss Cox III she knew anything about IL.
Seventeen has never been rented
as long as have had anything 20 do
with the office. II is away of there
I'm the corner where II Is hard TO SEQ
into There's always been moro
boxes than there was any call for. Not
one OF them in the lower row ever has
been rented, even I'm summer, when
there's alot OF city folks out here"
do you ever remember OF seeing
any mail addressed TO that box?"
She worked industriously at her
crocheting for minute or two before
replying and then. putting It aside, said
thoughtfully;
IT'S funny that you should have
asked me that"
"Why?"
IL don't know that I've any bust
ness telling YOU" said Miss Cox, as
she debated with herself whether or
not she was talking too much. "but
am as anxious as anybody TO find ont
what's become OF Charlie Rouser, and
from what I've seen OF you | guess
you're a sight more likely TO find him
than Jim Dobbs, the constable. II |
wasn't sure in my own mind that Char
lie hadn't done nothing out of the way.
don't know as I'd even be telling
you about Il. But since you've asked
me. guess | Will"
She hesitated, studying my face as
IL trying 10 read there whether or not
meant harm TO the missing post
master. tried not TO exhibit undue
interest though inwardly felt quite
jubilant. ] was certain that was on
the track Of important revelations.
let me gee" she continued. 1T was
a week ago Tuesday-no, II was We'd
nesday. for | went over to my sisters
Tuesday and Mr. Rouser left word
for me. and found IL waiting for me
when | came back. He asked me 70
come over and take the Office for the
day. | was surprised when | come
over here 10 open up 10 find him here,
for I'd understood that he was going
to be gone all day. He explained that
he didn't have to go TIL after the mail
was In, and he stayed here and helped
me sort There was lot OF mail
that day, people round here are great
for answering advertisements and get.
ting circulars. Besides that some OF
them get-rich-quick concerns have got
hold OF our telephons subscribers
book and there's always a lot or min
Inc stock letters. There was no less
Than four good.slzed bundles OF letters
from New York. Rouser was sorting
the letters and was handling the
second class and the papers. ! got
through with that and picked up the
last bundle OF letters. In II was no
less than six letters addressed to Lock
Box II. 'Seventeen's rented az last
says !, thinking Ii funny that | didn't
know the name on them, Henry NAL
colin Stewart. Who's got IL? III take
charge OF them says he, taking the
letters right out or my hand before ]
had chance 20 look at the postmarks
or anything. ! noticed too, that he
didn't put them I'm the box. but jammed
them into HIS pocket along with a lot
OF other letters he had / couldn't
say who the other letters was adj
dressed to. for | didn't get chance
10 see them They might have been
his own, for all know. But couldn't
help thinking that the only reason he'd
waited TIL the mail was distributed
was TO get hold of them Lock Box IL
letters AS soon as he got them he
went away, and he didn't come back
till after closing time"
Have you any Idea where be went7"
When ! come over here that day
opnppgaA b., Nuao Upiuoy IN fba rffv ht.f
a few minutes after he left the Office
saw him driving past in one OF the
livery rigs"
Which direction did he go?"
asked, feeling more and more sure
that had struck the right trail In
all probability this young fellow I'm the
post-ofilce was merely an innocen5 tool
OF Crandall lie had driven on koine-
where 20 meet Crandall and give him
the Lock Box IL letters, for was con-
WINGED that Stewart was merely an
alias OF the villain who had been send
ing out the yellow letters. II could
learn where the postmaster had gone
on this visit. | might be able to find
him now.
Every time Charlie Rouser goes
driving" said Miss Cox. "he always
goes that way" indicating the opposite
direction from the station. II shouldn't
be surprised In the least II he was
keeping company with some farmers
daughter"
A sudden light came into her eyes
and a smile OF satisfaction spread over
her face.
Land alive. I never thought OF IL
before" she exclaimed. but I'd bet
anything he's gone of TO get mar
ried."
Hardly likely" said I. "He wouldn't
Continued nsxt week.