Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-01

girl VIII HIS TlSuC W eHIcI tuo HouoS
any time he desired and to stay as
long as he wished. The great place on
the hill. with the sea, at It's feet and
the woods at It's back made an ideal
and perfectly safe hiding-place for
one pursued by the law.
His one fear was Algernon himself
He must. keep out OF the latter's sight
as much as possible and always have
some good excuse If caught lingering
in the grounds or around the house.
He did not know how far Molly had
taken Algernon into her confidence,
but felt sure that she believed Alger-
non thought her the real Mrs. Todd
and that she would do everything In
her power to keep Holmes supposed
identity secret. Still. he must go
carefully. He must so impress the
girl that she would let him make free
with the place without question, and
yet would be willing to help him in
his masquerade as Mr.. Patterson and
not consider his desire so to pose as
suspicious. There must be good and
sufficient reason for it and for the mo-
ment IIclmes could think Of no such
reason.
He turned and paced the length OF
the hall again, always listening for AL.
gernon's APPROACH, knowing that Alger-
non was not so we'll trained a chauf-
feur as he might be and was on more
social than business terms with his
mistress.
What were you intending to do
when mama returned?" he asked, sit
ting on the edge OF the table, his
hands still in his pockets.
Il hoped not to be here then" said
Molly.
Planned quick getaway, eh?"
laughed Holmes. well. it is certainly.
too bad turned up. You do mama
very we'll; very we'll, indeed
He picked up silver paper-cutter
and poised 1t carefully on his finger.
while the girl said nothing. There
was nothing to say. It was for him to
do the talking.
Mama is in Europe, you know" said
Holmes. tossing up the cutter and
catching 1t skillfully by the handle as
it fell. II am sure do not know
what to do. I know she told me be-
fore she left that she had great con-
fldence in YOU"
Molly flushed, burning tide of
crimson flooded her white face. crept
up to her hair and down her delicate
throat. She started to her feet and
walked restlessly to the window.
"Yes,' said she, "she had great con-
fidence in me- | have betrayed it."
She came back to the circle of lamp
light, but she did not sit down; she
leaned instead on the back OF the
chair, her hands folded before her.
She had grown white again and for the
moment refused to meet his eyes.
"Oh. don't know" said Holmes
slowly. He must not seem to doubt
her innocent intentions or It would be
to make her understand
why he would be willing to leave her
there in his mothers absence after he
knew what she was doing. Il don't
see that you have betrayed it more
than to the extent Of taking her name
and giving a most enjoyable lawn
party. Nothing is missing in the
house. every thing is in the best order.
You say you took her name for fun.
I wish you would tell me just how it
came about"
The girl looked at him with a quick
throb of hope. Shej knew he was
good.natured fellow. kindly Indifferent
to most of the serious affairs OF life,
that he hated the country and was on
his way to Montreal. He might be
willing to go on and leave her there.
She would return as far as possible
all the purchases she had no right to,
make restitution as best she could for
those she was unable to return. and
when Mrs. Todd came back in the fall.
the good lady would never dream that
there had been anything amiss in her
absence. Hancocl: was too much IN
love now to notice her clothes a.
would doubtless propose in day or
two. She would not allow her former
foolish weakness to tempt her to put
him off again. She would accept and
then. indeed. ali would be we'll. Her
cheeks flushed again with hope and
she breathed quickly through parted
lips, as she told him Of her arrival
the country peoples mistake and her
mischievous acceptance of it.
ri have done all MY work WE'LL she
hurried on. 1.-THE whole place is in
order Just as your mother wanted it
to be. Don't you see it was only for
fun? That party this afternoon was
not right, know. But did so want
to give one. This place is like-like--'
Death" suggested Holmes, without
the pleasant excitement of funeral"
The girl nodded. Eyes, that's 1t.
WE'LL, gave the party. 1t hardly cost
cent. You would be surprised.
can return the money, indeed. plan.
ned and intended to do so, out Of my
salary"
Don't" advised Holmes. "Put 1t
down as one of the necessary ex-
penses., It was necessary to keep you
from insanity, you know
Molly laughed with historical RELIEF
and nodded again.
Holmes walked to the door and
gazed for some little time out at the
darkness. He thought he had heard
Algernon coming up the terrace steps,
but it seemed it was only the garden
er, carrying in few Of the tables, and
after watching the fellow until he dis
appeared from sight, he returned to
the table and the girl awaiting him so