The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-04-01
Continued from Yesterday
CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER XI.
Eliza Shaeffer went back to
Horner, after delivering her
chicks somewhere in the city.
Things went on as before. The
trial was set for May. The dis
trict attorneys office had all the
things we had found in the house
that Monday afternoon - the
stained towel, the broken knife
and its blade, the slipper that
had been floating in the parlor,
and the rope that had fastened
my boat to the staircase. Some
where-wherever they keep such
things-was the headless body of
woman with a hand missing,
and with a curious scar across the
left breast. The slip of paper,
however, which | had found be-
hind the Dashboard, was still in
Mr.. Holcombe's possession, nor
had he mentioned it to the police.
Mr.. Holcombe had not come
back. He wrote me twice asking
me to hold his room, once from
New York and once from Chicago.
To the second letter he added a
postscript:
"Have not found what I
wanted, but am getting warm. If
any news, address me at Des
Moines, Iowa, General Delivery.
"H."
1t was nearly the end of April
when ] saw Ida again. had
seen by the newspapers that she
and her mother were coming
home. I wondered If she had
heard from Mr.. Howell, for | had
not, and I wondered, too, If she
would send for me again.
But she came herself, on foot,
late one afternoon, and the school
teacher being out, l took her into
the parlor bedroom. She looked
thinner than before, and rather
white. My heart ached for her.
81 have been away" she eX-
planned. Il thought you might
wonder why you did not hear
from me. But you see, my moth
er-" she stopped and flushed.
Il would have written you from
Bermuda. but-my mother watch
ed my correspondence, so l could
not"
No. knew she could not. AL
ma had once found a letter Of
mine to Mr.. Pitman. Very little
escaped Alma.
81 wondered If you have heard
anything?" she asked.
II have heard nothing. Mr..
Howell was here once, just after
| saw you. | do not believe he is
in the city"
Perhaps not, although = Mrs.
Pitman, | believe he is in the city
hiding!"
Hiding! Why"
81 don't know. But last night
I thought | saw him below my
window. l opened the window,
so if 1t were he, he could make
some sign. But he moved on
without a word. Later, whoever
ii was came back. l put out my
light and watched. Some one
stood there, in the shadow, until
after two this morning. Part of
the time he was looking up"
Don't you think, had it been
he, he would have spoken when
he saw you?"
She shook her head. "He Is in
trouble" she said. "He has not
heard from me, and he-thinks
l don't care any more. Just look
at me, Mrs. Pitman! Do l look as
If | don't care?"
She looked half killed, poor
lamb.
HE may be out of town,
searching for a better position,
| tried to comfort her. "He wants
to have something to offer more
than himself"
81 only want him." she said
looking at me frankly. II don't
know why I tell you all this, but
you are so kind, and I must talk
to some one"
She sat there, in the cozy cor.
ner the school teacher had made
with a portiere and some cushions,
and | saw she was about ready to
break down and cry. l went over
to her and took her hand, for she
was my own niece, although she
didn't suspect 1t, and l had never
had a child of my own.
But after all, l could not help
her much. ] could only assure heI
that he would come back and ex.
! plain everything, and that he was
all right, and that the last time
| had seen him he had spoken oil
her, and had said she was "tht
best ever" My heart fairly
yearned over the girl, and I think
she felt 1t. For she kissed me
| shyly, when she was leaving.
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