Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-09-25
leave that to me. just like you've left

L
and sparkling teeth. But 1t seemed
like trying to fire dead ashes now
Her face was serious and drawn. Sud
denly 1t entered his mind that shs
looked her age. Unacquainted witt
that defiance Of time by which {
charming woman may be fifty In one
minute and twenty in the next, hi
pondered on this with all his heav,
mental processes. And suddenly 4
come to Inspector MCGEE with kint
of shock that he regarded her all th<
more tenderly therefor. It was {
pity that such as Rosalie LIE Grange
should lose her young looks.
"Of course you're goin' to leave 4
to me! Now come ont" said Rosnlie LII
Grange. breaking into his meditations
The two city detectives and the one
police matron we're waiting silently ir
Rosalie lie Oranges room. AS the In
spectator entered, change came ovel
them. None rose or shifted position
but their bodies took on an appear
ance at alert stiffness, their faces {
look of attention. Salutes, square
shoulders, all the frills and decoration:
OF military etiquette, were unnecessar,
among these four to prove the strict
SIS Of the inspectors & .u,niand.
MCGEE locked the door behind him
Resale closed the transom.
rs this place safe for talk now"
Perfect" said Rosalie. "I've tried
! it. But talk low, to be sure"
The Inspector opened the bag.
There's your felt Shoes" he said
"Now listen, boys-and you, Mrs
Leary. This here lady is running THU
thing, until tell you different. Go
your notes and pencils, Kennedy? AL
fright. Mrs. LIE Grange. you tell 'en
Just what you want"
When Resale had rehearsed he
drama, with careful provision for un
forseen emergencies, when her force
had scattered-Hunter to the base
ment, Kennedy to Miss Harding
room, Mrs. Leary, impersonating thu
maid, to the front door Resale stool
alone with Inspector MCGEE.
"Well, everything's ready" said tn
Inspector, "and times precious"
eyes, I'm goin' in q minute" she re
sponded; but her voice was dead. !"
feel-like was going to be operated
on. That's how feel"
Jaw, brace up!" sal Martin MCGEE
Resale did not answer at once. He
eyes, sweeping the room to avoid d.
rect gaze lighted on the dresser, wher'
stood q photograph Of Constance Han
ska-a solicited gift. She fixed hel
gaze on that; and the fallen lines o
her face lifted with determination.
| Yes" she said, Pm goin' Il
brace up
| CAPTER XVIII.
! She started upstairs, then, to tina
room on the third floor back, the cen
ter Of the sinister web which she hat
made of this, her dwelling-place, 81
strangely acquired, SO strangely used
In that web struggled a half-blind, half
distracted fly, toward which she, tn.
spider, was now creeping. Some sucl
comparison may have struck Resale
for the shudder twice In her sloy
progress. And these were not the a
sumed shudders which announced he
false control"
Resale knocke at Miss Estrilla'
door.
! Come I'M" cried the invalid, NOR
eagerly than her wont. And as Rosali'
entered, ooh, was expecting you
Can you-will you-toay?"
"Tve been putin all the power
have into this thing" said Rosalie l.
Grange: you've no idea how I've tired
was awake half the night, just gettin
into touch"
"I'm sure I'm grateful for that" re
piled Miss Estrilla.
"rm pretty sure I'll be strong,
pursued Resale, "but I'm Just as sur
that It will be weeks an weeks befor,
| | can ever do It again This is m.
last sittin' with you for ever 30 long
Miss Estrilla. can feel 1t goin
When I'm playin' for all my power, q
i've got to now, conditions must b
right. You wouldn't mind, would you
liz I darkened this room complete? An
I let's have little more air."
There was winow, which opene'
{upon the flre-escape, at the foot Q
MISS Estrilla's bed. This window Re
sale darkened last Of all; but first sh
raised the sash a foot.
'.That curtain will blow an disturb
me-" she said. I'm goin' to pin
down."
| Had Miss Estrilla's soul held an.
emotions, In that moment, but grie
and eagerness-had she been capabl
)iust then Of suspicion-she might hav
noted tiny but significant sound
The flre-escape had creaked a little, a
Though weight had been imposed a
the bottom. It creaked again at intel
walls for the next 1--WE minutes, bu
afterward, usually, when the roar Of Z
passing Ninth Avenue elevated trait
drowned all slighter sounds.
Now I'm ready to try" said Ross
lie, settling down at the foot Of tn
couch. Dear, you do look anxious
Don't try to crowd the spirits that
always the best way-but remembe
again-th is about the last contro
that's In me for month. Be quiet
dearie." Her eyes sought the dit
tances, her body shook. Then came tn
change which Miss Estrilla had watct
ed so often, and with such fascir
ated eagerness. Rosalie's body re
Taxed and fell backward in the Morri,
chair. Her lids gradually closed. Sh
breathed as though asleep.
s"Oh, sad lady again!" babble
Laughing-Eyes. quite suddenly. Sh
could hear Miss Estrilla shift eagerl
on her couch. II can't stay long
John speaks. He says he wants yo