davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-27
CIR ApTER NH.
Ianee Ends

1oo@c 1.luSe
Meditation furrowed the brow Of
Lawyer Adam Balm. Customarny an
easy-minded participant in the placid
affairs of his community. ne had been
shaken out Of his nut by the case in
which Kent had enlisted him and in
which he had thus far found oppor-
tunity for little more than thought.
Nobody VS.. Sedgwick." grumbled
him. Public opinion VS.. Sedgwick. :"
he amended "How's a self-respect-
ing lawyer going to earn q fee out Of
that? And Len Schlager standing over
the grave OF the corpus deficit with
q warrant against searching SO to
speak, in his hand. For that matter
this Professor Kent worries me more
than the sheriff"
sharp humming rose in the air
and brought the idle counselor 10 his
window, whence he heheid the prime
author OF his bewilderment descend
ing from car. A minute later the
two men We're sitting with their feet
on one desk. n fairly good sign of
mutual respect and confidence.
Blair - said Lawyer Balm. mo.
| don't know him, not even to see.
Took Hogs Haven, didn't he?"
Then he doesn't use this post
office ?"
NO. Might use any ono of half
dozen. See here lie drew a county
map from a shelf Here's the place
Seven railroad stations on three diff
feerent roads, within ten miles Of ii.
Ahnalaka would be way ont Of his
reach"
Yet Gansett Jim seems TO be
known here"
oh; Is it Blair that the Indian
works for? never Knew Closrr'n
q deaf mute with lock jaw. he iS Wen
| expect the reason he comes here oc-
casionally is that it's the nearest Ii
ceDse town.
" foi the poor Injun when he wants
a drink
WIN walk ten miles as easy as you'd
do you know most Of the post
offices around here ,"
There isn't but one postmaster
Within twenty miles that l don't call
by his first name, and she's post
mistress.
Then you could probably find out
by telephone where the Blair family
get their mail
Easy
And perhaps what newspapers
they take
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-27
CHAPTER XII.

One of Kents Washington friends
once criticised the scientists mode
OF motoring as follows: "kents a
good driver, and n fast one, and care
full, but he can never rid himself OF
the theory that there's strain Of
hunter in every well-bred motor car :"
Cross country travel was. in fact
rather a lad of kents, and he had
trained his light car 10 do everything
but take "a tive-barred gate. After de-
parting from the Nook, IT rolled along
beside Sundayman's Creek sedately
enough until 1t approached the wide
bend where II INDUCED in a bit OF
path-f1ndlng across the country. and
eventually crept into the shade OF
clump Of bushes and hid, Its occu-
pant emerged, and went forward afoot
until he came in view Of Hedgerow
House. At the turn of the stream
he leaped a fence, and made his way
TO group of willows beneath which
the earth was ridged with little
mounds. Professor Chester Kent was
trespassing. He was invading the ter
ritory of the dead.
From the seclusion of the grave
yard amid the willows a fair view
was afforded Of Hedgerow House
Grim as was the repute given 1t, II
presented to the intruder an aspect
of homely hospitable sweetness and
quaintness Tall hollyhocks lifted
their flowers TO smile in at the old
fashioned windows. Here and there
on the well-kept lawn, peonies glow
ed, crimson and white, great
clambering rose tree had thrown its
arms around the square porch soften
ing the unCompromising angles into
curves OF LEAKAGE and bloom Along
the paths pansies laughed at the sun.
and mignonette scattered it's scented
summons to bee and butterfly The
place was a loved place: SO much
Kent felt with sureness of instinct
No home blooms except by love.
But the house was dead. It's eyes
were closed. Silence held It. The
garden buzzed and tiiekered with vivid
multicolored life; but there was no
stir from the habitation OF man. Had
Its occupants deserted it? Chester
Kent, leaning against the headstone
of Captain Hogg of damnable mem
DRY, pondered and wondered.
From the far side of the mansion
came the sound of door opening and
closing again. Moving quickly along
the sumac- fringed course of the creek,
Kent made q detour which gave him
view of side entrance, and had bare
ly time to effact himself in the shrub
berry when a light wagon, with a
spirited horse between the shafts.
turned briskly out into the road.
NCHts "Sil SAt4tS4ftsf tduEiL one bIlGI
sufficient glimpse of the occupant
1t was Doctor Breed, The medical
officer looked, as always, -heset
but there was a greedy smile on his
lips.
Kent's mouth puckered. He took
deep breath of musical Inspiration
and exhaled II in painful noiseless-
ness. fiattening himself amid the
greenery as he saw q man emerge
from the rear Of Hedgerow House.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-27
HIN, Yes. ] guess sa,'

HIM Yes. i guess so"
Try it, as soon as You get back
Back from where
Back from the medical officer 3
place think he must have returned
by this time"
You want to sec Tim Ereed?"
NO. just his records Burial per
mits, l suppose, are matter OF pub
lie record
Yes. All you've got 10 do is 20 -
and ask for EN-. You won't need
me-"
'Regrettable as his had taste is. :"
said Kent with q solemn face, I fear
that Doctor Breed doesn't regard me
with that confidence and esteem which
one ref-s Of In Illuminated resulu-
tons
And YOU want me as an acoeIe-
rator IN 2" smiled the lawyer IAN
right It's the Jane Doe permit you're
after I suppose.
which p"
Jane Doe. They buried the corpse
from Lonesome Cove under that name.
Unidentified dead. you know"
"Of course, OF course," assented
Kent
IF you're looking for anything
queer "a the official paper you won t
find it,"
You've examined IT yourself?''
Good! Nevertheless, I'd like to see
the record"
Together they went Ia the medical
officers quarters. Doctor Freed had
come in fifteen minutes before With
out preliminary Lawyer Balm said:
Il want To see that Jane Doe GER
tidcate again"
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-27

The man was Gansett Jim. lie car
ried "a pick and "a spade and walked
slowly Presently he disappeared in
the wlllow-sh place of mounds
The sound Of his toll came mutfled. to
the cars Of the hidden man
Cautiously Kent worked his way
row in the stream. now through the
heavy growth on tho banks unul he
gained the roadway. Once there. he
went forward 10 the front gate Of
Hedgerow House. The hrICked side
walk runs thence straight and true
70 the rose powered square porch
which Is the mansions main entry
Kent paused for the merest moment
His gaze rested on the heavy black
door. Heavier and blacker against
the woodwork a pendant waved lam
guidly in the faint breeze
To the normal human being the
Erlsly insigntum of death over a por-
tai is provocative Of anything rather
than mIrth. Bat Chester Kent, view
ing the Grape on Hedgerow House.
laughed as he turned to the open road.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-27
,contlnued from last sunday

CONTINUED from Last Sunday)
keep the man out of my way,
then"
"That depends. Anything else in
your place damaged?'
Not that / noticed. But l didn't
pay much attention to anything else.
] came here direct to find You"
That's right. Well, I'm with you
for the Nook"
Locking his curious room after him,
Kent led the way to the hotel lobby,
where he stopped only long enough to
send some kilograms. The sun was
still a few minutes short Of its set
ting when he and his companion
emerged from the hotel. Kent at once
broke into a trot.
Its n prevalent complaint" muir
INJURED Kent, land highly contagious 4"
bennett stared. My own suspi-
rions," he proceeded firmly. SIS that
the young Teller hasn't got no more
consumption than you have. [ think
old Blair has got him here to keep
him out OF the papers"
Publicity is not TO Mr.. Blair's
taste, then ?'
'Not's' no word for it," declared
The human Bureau Of Information,
delighted at this evidence Of dawn
ing interest on the part of his hear
er Hes crazy against 1t. They
SAYS he pays Town Titbits q thou
T9lajr,s name al0ne don,t boI{a,le
1be ola man vVoI,ld hardIv ston short
- rnnrdar n lean bfe na,,a o,,t 81
nrlnt He's kind q. 1o0nv an the
s,,btert
,syou've hsan to HIS country ,,faca p,
,ra - ,ham sc,antfc aim i her fa m,
Srorn Rosfnn rh ri bi@r, 't tone Vas
81 egspuCa a rail- and worm wood
..yvnnst had a iob ,hars tboreb
nm seen v"1in,, mar rnaoriy,, aro'n5
tba grounds yuift . rnaI ,,,,s, :.
..6ufte a Mace her e,,a,.aetels
ganf
"sa{lor egu4 e,,tth &. ,t,,, re14.r 4ta4
can teIl Won eho,It fba rlara 90 q
ssed 10 he Wore he frr,aa I'm nc
stras."
IL thrust h{s hood o,t og .ho d,o~
and called sailor smith atur5f and
Win anfera1 sr}d srreeted Izer,+ go -
teouslv
"Err parnot+ Was. sowing, r.,r,a,.,,
ri Eonf .'that ,.@,, 1870 ~,
rf tbo h{e.or,, ~ yTe7e,e,e. H., =,
heItera me-, cali ~ :, ''''1' as
'--rbev cali ~. renaa+cd ,ba o1a
sst,a~ .tSSyto t,,,rts as - - -.
va pisfr ,.Iaca that.a Tgrrre. t4a,,ar'
that ts, You can't vine opt fbat
rarna while tnAr@,s 49, 49, Ia, a.
knew tho place n It's worst ,r1st'' ola it' eans
.atn No., h,,tl+ - - ~, =, =. Ap
d s 4 ~ ~ Ana - s'1 ,bnre ~ ~ tl'd
nan In hall tha dev3I Re- fr,45,, 49,,
80 - rla T4nsre go. 49,. ~, go.
~ aona ~ tbat house
now long since dt3 he afa9.
ron tv,entH, y-ear Ts~}. ;;
And the house was sold .oor
.e,ar9,' 'i'
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-27

preston with suspicion. "Oficially?
Then he's very Ill"
NO. he isn't i'll at al"
Don't you think you overdo this
business of mystificauon sometimes,
Kent o.
Merely a weli-meant effort smiled
the other. Ito avert your mind from
your own troubles--before they get
any worse"
With which cheering farewell Kent
stepped out and into his waiting car
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-27

shocked my moral sense In those days;
but he certainly offended my sense OF
decency. He came back to America.
and / lost track Of him. Is he tbs
man you're going To see?'
No ouch luck" said Chester Kent
7 never expect TO see Mr.. Wilfrid
Blair, Probably I shan't even be IN
vited 70 his funeral
oh, is he dead ?"
His death is officially expected any
day."
Sedgwick examined his friends ey-
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-27
Announcement

We wish to announce to the public that there will
be demonstration Of Of the greatest discoveries
made in recent years at THE COHEN COMPANY, start
ing next Monday April 28th and continuing for limited
time only After many years Of experimenting by the
professor of chemistry at JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVER-
SlIY, this wonderful discovery was made It will pre-
vent fabrics Of any kind from wearing by friction Sc
we're tests have proven that this wonderful discovery will
make stockings of any kind much longer especially
the expensive silk hose costing from SOC to $500 per
pairs silk shirtwasts, silk gloves, bottom trousers and
shirts any fabrics that by friction All that is
necessary hose is application the spot that is
most apt to wear. Ii YOU are wise you will not miss
this wonderful demonstration. Don forget the date
next Monday, April 2sth, at THE COHEN co.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-11-21
Mary returned. "If you'll take the

Mary returned. ''If you'll take the
money to Mr.. Harris Miss Lynch will
meet you in his Office at 4 O'Clock this
afternoon, and, when her suit for dam
ages for breach Of promise has been
legally settled out Of court. you will
get the letters. Good afternoon. Mr..
Irwin"
The lawyer made hurried bow
which took in both Of the women, and
walked quickly toward the door,
"Oh, you forgot your marked money.
Mr. Irwin" Mary said.
The lawyer wheeled and stood star
ing at the speaker with certain sheep
ishness of expression that bore wit
ness to the completeness of his dis
comfiture. Without word he walk
ed back to the desk. picked up the
money and restored it to the bill case.
Young woman" he said emphatical-
~. "yon ought to have been a lawyer.
And he took his departure, while Mary
smiled in triumph and Aggie sat gap
ing establishment.
you've darn near broke my heart,
she cried. bouncing up violently, let
ting all that money go out OF the
house. Say. how did you know 1t was
mark ed g
Il didn't" Mary replied blandly.
But it was pretty good guess. wasn't
it," Couldn't you see that all he want
ed was to get the letters and have us
take the marked money? Then. my
simple young friend, we would have
been arrested very neatly indeed-for
blackmail."
"Geer' she cried. THAT would have
been fierce! And now" she question
ed apprehensively.
Mary's answer repudiated any posi-,
bility OF fear.
"And now" she explained contented,
ly, "he really will go to our lawyer.
There he will pay over that same
marked money. Then he will get the
letters he wants so much. And just
because it's strictly business trans
action between two lawyers. with
everything done according to legal
ethics
"And it's actually the same old
game" Aggie unused.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-11-21

Quivering q little as the lawyer, after
a short nod, dropped again into his
seat. "Oh, I'm SO frightened" She
hurried. fiuttering. to low stool be-
hind the desk beside Mary's chair, and
there she sank down. dropping slightly
and catching hold of one of Marys
hands as If i'm mute pleading for pro-
lection.
NONSENSE Mary exclaimed sooth-
ingly. There's really nothing at all to
be frightened about. my dear child.
You mustn't be afraid. Agnes. Mr..
Irwin says that General Hastings did
not promise to marry you. OF course
You understand, my dear. that under
no circumstances must you say any
thing that isn't strictly true and that
Il he did not promise to marry you you
have no case-none at all. Now, Ag-
mes, tell me. Did General Hastings
promise to marry you:"
"Oh. yes-oh. yes. indeed! Aggie
cried falteringly. And wish he
would He's such delightful old gen
tleman,"
The legal representative of the de-
lightful old gentleman scowled disgust
eddy at this outburst.
WAS that promise made in writing?"
NO" .Aggie answered gushingly.
but all his letters were in writing,
you know. Such wonderful letters!
So tender and notwithstanding"
Yes. yes. dare say" Irwin agreed
hastily, with some evidences of cha
grin.
"But you're quite sure. Agnes" Mary
questioned gently, that General Hast
ings did promise to marry you"
"Oh yes" Aggie declared tensely.
"Why, would swear to it." The
limpid eyes. so appealing In their soft
ulster. went first to Mary. then gazed
Irustingy into those of the routed at
torney.
Were beaten" he confessed defect
eddy. turning his glance toward Mary,
whom plainly he regarded as his real
adversary in the combat on his client
behalf. I'm going to be quite frank
with you. Miss Turner. quite frank, y
he stated. with more geniality, though
with very crestfallen air. I'VE can't
afford any scandal, so were going to
settle at your own terms" He took
from his pocket thick bill case and
from this sheaf of banknotes, which
he laid on the desk before Mary, with
a little laugh of discontinue over hav-
ing been beaten in the contest.
AS he did so Aggie thrust forth an
avaricious hand. but it was caught and
held by Mary before it reached above
the top of the desk, and the avaricious
gesture passed unobserved by the at
torney.
I'VE can't fight where ladies are con-
cerned." he went on, assuming as best
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-11-21

room. I'm be a squab-surest thing
you know"
Next moment Mary gave n formal
greeting to the lawyer who represent
ed the man she planned to mulct eff
fectively
Irwin lost no time in coming to the
point.
Il called in reference to this suit
which Miss Agnes Lynch threatens to
bring against my client. General Hast
ings."
Its not threat" Mr.. Irwin. The
suit will be brought"
You realize. of course, that this is
merely plain blackmail."
IF it's Dlackmail. Mr.. Irwin, why
don't you consult the police:"
Mary turned to the maid. who now
entered in response to the bell she had
sounded a minute before. Fanny.
will you ask Miss Lynch to come in.
glesse:" Then she faced the lawyer
again. with an aloofness of manner
that was contemptuous. Really. Mr..
take this matter to the poiice:"
You know perfectly WE'LL" the law
yer said bitterly, that General Hast
ings cannot afford such publicity"
"Oh. as for that" Mary suggested
evenly. and now there was trace Of
fippancy in her fashion of speaking,
I'm sure the police would keep your
complaint secret. Really. you know,
Mr. Irwin. think you had better take
your troubles TO the police rather than
to me. You will get much more sym
pathy from them"
The lawyer sprang up with an air of
sudden determination.
Very well. will then" he declared.
Mary pushed in his direction the
telephone that stood on the table.
"31OO Spring" she remarked encour-
agingly. will bring an officer almost
Immediately" She leaned back in her
chair and surveyed the baffied man
amusedly.
Nevertheless, he rejoined. you
know perfectly well that General Hast
ingS never promised TO marry this girl.
You know He broke off as Aggie
entered the drawing room.
Now. the girl vas demure in seem
ing almost beyond beIief-a childish
creature. very fair and dainty, guile
less surely, with those untroubled eyes
of blue, those softly curving lips Of
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-11-21
Aggie. who had observed develop

Aggie. who had observed develop
ments closely, now lifted her voice In
tardy lamentations over her own stu
pidity
Why, the poor gawL's hungry she
exclaimed. And never got the dope
on her. Amt the simp!"
The girl reganed a degree OF self
control and showed something OF for
lOrn dignity
YES" she said duly. T'm starving"
Mary regarded the afflicted creature
with that sympathy born only of ex-
perience.
Yes" she said softly. 81 under
stand Then she spoke to Aggie.
Take her to my room and let her rest
there for awhile. Have her drink the
egg and milk slowly and then lie down
for few minutes anyhow"
Half an hour afterward Aggje re-
ported with her charge. who, though
still stumbling of gait and STOPPING.
showed by some faint color in her face
and an increased steadiness of bearing
that the food had already strengthened
her much.
she would come" Aggie explained.
II thought she ought to rest for awhile
longer anyhow"
"Tm all right. | tell you" came the
Querulous protest.
Are you quite sure?" Mary said to
the girl. Then tell us all about it
this trouble of yours, you know. What
is your Nance"
"Helen Norris
al don't have to ask If you have been
in prison. Your face shows it,"
I-I came out-three months ago"
"And you'd made up your mind to go
straight
YES" The word was a whisper
You were going to do what the
chaplain had told you.'' Mary went on.
You were going to start all over
again. weren't you?'
The bent head Of the girl bent lower
in assent.
ut doesn't work very well. does it?'
"No; I'm whipped"
Mary's manner changed She spoke
cheerfully for the first time.
"Well, then. how would you like to
work with us?'
"You-you mean that
Our kind of work pays well when
you know how. Look at us. Suppose
| should stake you for the present and
put you in with good crowd All
you would have to do would be to an
will see that you have the best Of
references. Then. when you get in
with the right people you will open the
front door some night and let in the
gang. OF course you will make get
away when they do and get your bit
as WELL"
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-11-21

There flashed still another or the
swift, sly glances, and the lips of the
girl parted as if she would speak. But
she did not: only her head sagged even
lower on her breast and the shrunken
form grew yet more Shrunken.
1T doesn't suit you? Good! was
in hopes it wouldn't So. here's anoth-
er plan. Suppose you could go west
some place where you would have a
fair chance. with money enough so
you could live like human being till
you got start?'
There came a tensing of the relaxed
form, and the head lifted q little, so
that the girl could look at her ques-
toner.
II will give you that chance" Mary
said simply, IF you really want it."
The wretched girl sat suddenly erect,
and her words came eagerly.
"Oh, | dor And now her hungry
gaze remained fast on the face Of the
woman who offered her salvation.
Then | have just one thing to say
" yOu III 81 IL yOu are gong u i've
straight start straight. and then go
through with it. Do you know what
that means?"
you mean keep straight all the
timer" The girl spoke with force
drawn from the others strength.
81 mean more than that. | mean
forget that you were ever in prison.
don't know what you have done-I
don't think l care. But whatever 1t
was. you have paid for tia pretty big
price too"
81 have, haver' The thin voice
broke. wailing.
well, them" Mary went on. 'just
begin all over again, and be sure you
stand up for your rights. Don't let
them make you pay a second time.
Go where no one knows you. and don't
tell the first people who are kind to
you that you have been crooked. If
they think You are straight. why, be
it. Then nobody will have any right
to complain. Will you promise me
thiS?''
Eyes. l promise" came the answer.
very gravely. quickened with hope.
Good" Mary exclaimed. with a
smile of approval. "Wait minute"
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-11-21

he might contrive chivalrous tone.
so. if you will just hand over Gen.
cral Hastings letters, why, here's your
money. You have the letters. haven't
youf" he demanded abruptly.
Aggie coyly took thick bundle from
its resting place on her rounded bosom.
"They never leave me" she said.
well. they can leave you now. all
right" the lawyer remarked unsympa-
thetically. He reached quickly for
ward for the packet. which Aggie ex-
tended willingly enough. But it was
Mary. who. with swift movement
caught and held it.
II think" Mary explained tranquil
ly, that you had better see our lawyer,
Mr.. Harris. in reference to this. We
women know nothing of such details
of business settlement
"Oh. see." he said disagreeably.
with frown to indicate his complete
sagacity in the premises.
Il thought you would, Mr.. Irwin .
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-11-21
CONTINUED.

ANYWAY" the officer went on. with
a new confidence. now that his eyes
We're free from the gaze that had
burned into his soul you've got to
clear out. the whole gang of you-and
do il quick"
I'VE don't scare worth cent" Ag-
gle snapped with the virulence of a
vixen You can't do anything TO us.
We amt broke the law" There came
a sudden ripple of laughter. and the
charming lips curved joyousiy as she
added. Though perhaps we have bent
ii Il bit"
We'll. you've got the tip" Cassidy
returned. somewhat disconnected. after
a stolid fashion of his own. Its up
to yOu 10 take it. that's all. If you
don't one of you will make a long visit
with some people out Of town. and it'll
probably be Mary. Remember. I'm
giving ii to you straight"
Cassidy turned and went noisily out
of the drawing room. AS she heard
the outer door close behind the detec-
tive Aggie's expression grew vicious.
The truck horse detective" she
sneered IAN eighteen collar and a
six and half hat. He sure had his
nerve trying to bluff u.s.
Perhaps it wasn't bluff. Aggie,"
Carson suggested.
We'll. what have we done. I'd like
10 know"
Carson answered with q note of
WEAKNESS that was unlike him.
1T Amt what you have done" he
said quietly. It's what they can make
a jury think you've done. And. once
they set out to get you-God. how
they can frame things. If they ever
start out after Mary He did not
finish the sentence, but sank down
into his chair with groan that was
almost of despair