Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-04-07
Earl Derr BiqG er5
If rs

leave the management Of the railways
affairs to his vice-president, Hayden.
Late yesterday the old man heard OF
this proposed bribe-on his sick bed
He was very nearly insane at the
thought of the disgrace it would bring
upon him He tried to rise himself
and prevent the passing of the pack
age. His daughter--a brave loyal girl
herself undertook the task
Then" said Mr.. Magee, Miss
Thornhill is not distressed at the loss
Of the most important evidence in the
case"
81 have explained the matter to her.
returned Professor Bolton. There is
no chance whatever that her fathers
name will be implicated. Both Dray-
ton and myself have the highest re-
gard for his integrity. The whole az
fair was arranged when he was too III
to dream of it. His good name Will be
smirched in no way. The only man
involved on the giver's side is dead IN
the room above. The man we are
after now is Cargan. Miss Thornhlll
has agreed that 1t is best to prosecute
That eliminates her."
"Did Miss Thornhill and Kendrick
meet for the first time, after his ex-
lie, up-stairs-in number severn MT.
Magee wanted to know.
eyes," answered Professor Bolton.
"In one of his letters long ago Hayden
told Kendrick he was engaged to the
girl. 1t was the last letter kendrlck
received from him."
There was pause.
"The important point now the old
man went on, lis the identity OF this
girl to whom you have made your
princely gift, out of the goodness or
your young heart. propose to speak
to the woman she has introduced as
her mother, and elicit what informa-
ton l can"
He crossed the floor. followed by
Mr.. Magee, and stood by the woman s
! chair. She looked up, her eyes heavy
with sleep, her appearance more
tawdry than ever in that faint light
Madam, remarked the professor,
with the air Of judge trying case,
your daughter has tonight made her
escape from this place with a large
sum of money earnestly desired by the
prosecuting attorney of Reuton coun-
ty. In the name Of the law, com
mand you to tell me her destination,
and whct she proposes to do with that
package Of greenbacks."
The woman blinked stupidity in the
dusk.
"she amt my daughter" she replied,
and Mr.. Magee's heart leaped up. Il
can tell you that much. l keep q
clearinghouse in Reuton and Miss
the girl you speak about-has been
nv boarder for three years. She
brought me up here as a sort of chap
eron, though I don't see as I'm old
enough for that yet You don't get
nothing else out of me-except that
she is a perfectly lovely young woman,
and your money couldn't be safer win
the president of the United States"
The puzzled professor OF Compare.
tive Literature caressed his bald head
thoughtfully. "I-er-" he remarked.
Mr.. Magee could have embraced this
faded woman for her news. He look
ed at his watch. 1t was twelve-tWenty.
"The siege is over he cried. 81
shall not attempt to direct your &C
tons any longer Mr.. Peters, will you
! please 20 down to the village and
bring back Mr.. Quimby and-the
coroner?"
"The coroner!" The mayor of Reu.
ton jumped to his feet. II don't want
to be in on any inquest scene. Come
on Max, let's get out of here
| Bland stood up. his face was white
| and worried, his gray plumage no Ion
ger set the tone for his mood.
81 think I'll go, too" he announced
looking hopefully at Magee.
I'm no longer your ialler." Magee
, said. professor. these gentlemen are
your witnesses Do you wish to de
tain them?'
"See here" cried the mayor angrily
there amt no question but that you
| can find me in Renton any time you
| want me. At the little room on Main
Street anybody can tell you my
hours-the doors always open to any
reformer that has the nerve to clint
the stairs. Look me up there. III
make it interesting for YOU"
81 certainly SHALL the professor re
piled. "And very soon. Until then yor
may 20 when and where you please"
Thanks" sneered the mayor. "Il
expect you. I'll be ready. I've hac
to get ready to answer your kind be
! fore. You think you got me, Ell:
lWell, you're fool to think that. AS