The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1913-06-26
Mr. CORAN'S ELECTION
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voice. my reply to him is torturer.
inquisitor. What are your views on
the subJcct7"
The same, my dear madam, as your
own" said the disgraceful little hypo-
critic. How does the cause progress
In Brendon?"
Il trust that In few weeks our local
branch will have been placed on such
basis as to be a model to the whole
society"
Aunt is rather crank on anti
vivisection." whispered Miss Emily in
my ear. do be careful. II she tackles
you about It."
! laughed. and the subject changed
between us.
After the ladies' left. Coran began
gloomy autobiography. His family, he
said, had been living In the north OF
England at the time Of the London es-
capade. No account OF the affair,
which appeared in only one paper,
had reached them. He had left for
Sheffield shortly afterwards, and 1t
was not until ten years later that the
death Of his fnther had given him a
couple OF thousand pounds, with
which he bought share in his pres
emit business, which had greatly pros
pered.
Concerning Thomas Appleton. the
young man whom he suspected, he
spoke most bitterly. He was, indeed,
in the middle of his denunciations
when Peace slipped from his chair
and moved softly to the window.
With a swift jerk he drew the blind
aside and stared out. From where |
sat l could see an empty stretch OF
lawn with shrubs beyond showing
darkly In the summer twilight.
"A lovely evening"" he said over his
shoulder
We both watched him In surprise as
he dropped the blind and walked back
to his seat, stopping on his way to pat
the terrier that lay on a mat by the
window.
rs there anything the matterY"
asked Coran.
IF we are to keep our business here
a secret you must not talk too loud
that is all"
Il don't understand you"
"One of your household was listen
ing at the window"
do you mean to tell me that am
spied upon by my own people7" cried
Coran, angrily. What gave you such
an idea?"
The dog there"
Absurd"
mot at all. Mr.. Coran. From where
he lay he could look under the lower
edge Of the blind, which was not
drawn completely down. He raised
his ears; some one approached; he
wagged his stall, 1t was friend with
whom he was well acquainted. II 1t
had been stranger he would have
run barking to the window. 1t is sim
pie enough, surely"
did you see who 1t WASP" asked our
host, with sudden change OF manner.
NO." said the little man. But
think this conversation unwise. Shall
we join the ladies in the drawing
room7"
Peace was in his most entertaining
mood that night. Poor Emily, who
was sitting by the French windows.
staring sadly out into the gathering
shadows, was led to the plano. where
she recalled her forbidden lover in
sentimental ditties. He engaged Miss
Rebecca in an argument on the local
control OF licensed premises, which
gave that worthy old lady an oppor-
tunity for genuine oratory. Even our
melancholy host was drawn out OF his
miseries by reference to the water
supply.
When ten O'Clock came. and the
ladies were led away under Miss Re
becca's wing-they keep early hours
In Brendon-I shook the inspector by
the hand in sincere admiration. 1t
had been really smart performance,
and told him So
The little man did not respond. In
stead, he drew us together In corner
and issued his orders with sharp pre-
cision
''Mr. Coran. at fifteen minutes to
eleven you will leave the house by the
drawing room windows and place the
envelope you have prepared in the
locker OF the summer house. When
you return do not fasten the catch, for
may wish TO enter during the night.
Walk upstairs to your bed and get to
sleep II you can. Mr.. Phillips. you
will go to your room and stay there.
The window overlooks the garden. II
you want to keep watch-for do not
suppose you can resist that temptation
see that your head Is we'll out OF
sight. When Mr.. Coran leaves the
house, listen at your door. II you
hear anyone moving, go and find out
who II may be. You understand"
Yes" l answered. But what are
you going to dor"
Discover a suitable place from
which can keep an eye on the sum-
mer house. Goodnight to you"
When reached my room, took on
my coat. placed a chair some six feet
back from the open window, so that
the rising moon should not show my
face to any watchers in the laurels.
and so waited events.
II was soft summer night. such as
only temperate England knows. There
was not breath OF wind; a perfume
OF flowers crept In from the garden;
every leaf stood black and still in the
silvery light / heard the clock chime
three-quarters OF an hour In some
room beneath me. The last stroke had
barely shivered into silence when |
saw Coran appear upon the lawn.
walking towards the summer house,
the outlines OF which could distin-