The Huttig news., 1913-05-17

come. MT. Brotherson has con fessed-"
 "Confessed!"
 "Yes, he killed both women; my daughter and his neighbor, the wash 5rwoman, with a."
 Wait" broke in Sweetwater, eager- y, let me tell you" And stoopng, Q whispered something in the others ear.
 Mir. Challoner stared at him amez- d, then slowly nodded his head.
 How came you to think" he be- gan; but Sweetwater in his great anx- iety interrupted him with a quick
 Explanations will keep, Mir Ghal- loner. What of the man himself? Where is he? That's the important thing now.'
 He was in his room till early this morning writing letters, but he is not there now. The door is unlocked and l went in. From appearances l fear the worst That is why your pres ence relieves me so. Where do you think he is?"
 
 else would be go to-"
 T have thought of that. Shall we start out alone or take witnesses with us?"
 We will go alone. Does Oswald anticipate"
 He is sure. But he lacks strength to move He lies on my bed in there Doris and her father are with him."
 We will not wait minute How the storm holds off. I hope it will hold off for another hour"
 Mr. Challoner made no reply. He had spoken because he felt compelled to speak, but it had not been easy for him, nor could any trifies move him now.
 The town was up by this time and, though they chose the least frequent ed streets, they had to suffer from some encounters. It was good half hour before they found themselves in the forest and in sight of the hangar. One look that way, and Sweetwater turned to see what the effect was upon Mir Challoner.
 murmur of dismay greeted him. The oval of the great lid stood up against the forest background.
 He has escaped cried MT. Chal- oner.
 But Sweetwater. laying a fn~er CT his lip, advanced and laid his ear against the door Then he cast quick look aloft. Nothing was to be seen there. The darkness of storm in the heavens but nothing more--Yes! now. flash of vivid and destructive lightning!
 The two men drew back and their glanees crossed
 Let us return to the highroad." whispered Sweetwater; I've can see nothing here.'
 Mir. Challoner, trembling very much. wheeled slowly about.
 Wait enioined Sweetwater. First let me take look inside''
 Running to the nearest tree, he quickly climbed It, worked himself along Erotruding branch and looked down into the open hangar. It was now so dark that details escaped him, but one thing was certain. The air ship was not there.
 Descending, he drew MT Challoner hastily along He's gone," said he. Let us reach the high ground as quickly as we can. I'm glad that Mir. Oswald Brotherson Is not with Us or or Miss Doris.'
 But this expression of satisfaction died on his lips At the point where the forest road debouches into tho highway, he had already caught glimpse of their two figures. They were waiting for news, and the broth CT spoke at the instant he saw Sweet water:
 Where Is he? You've not found him or you wouldn't be coming alone. He cannot have gone up. He cannot manage it without an assistant We must seek him somewhere else; in the forest or in our house at home. Ah!" The lightning had forked again.
 He's not ill the forest and he's not in your home," returned Sweetwater. Hes aloft; the airship is not in the shed. And he can go up alone now" Then more slowly: But he cannot come down."
 They strained their eyes in a mad. dening search of the heas ens. But the darkness had so increased that they could be sure of nothing.
 Doris sank upon her knees.
 Suddenly the lightning faEhed :; s n, this time so vividly and so near thatt'l whole heaven burst into fiery illumination above them and the thunder, crashing almost simuitane- oGsly, seemed for a f,oment to rock the world and bow the heavens to- wards them. Then a silence; then Sweetwater's whisper in Mir. Chal lener's ear:
 Take them away, I saw him; he was felling like shot
 MT. Challcner threw out his arms, then steadied himself. Oswald was reelng; Oswald had seen too. But Boris was there. When the lightning flashed again, she was standing and Oswald vas weeping on her bosom.
 (THE FND)