The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-07

stir about the McCallan house, in spite Of
the wedding day. Owens car was not at
the gate nor in the yard, and he certainly
would not have sent 1t to tho garage IL he
were making . business visit to the manager
OF the estate. Owen was not q friend Of the
family.
with Z hateful sense Of spying on the in.
nocent and the sincere dread Of being met
there by any one-even by Owen-he was
about to turn around. go back and agree to
take Pauline to the wedding. when the move
ment OF q figure through the distant garage
yard caused him to stiffen to attention and
strain his ga1e. s.
In an instant he had whipped his binocu.
lars from under the seat Of the runabout
and was staring through them at the estab-
1t was but few moments Afterwards that
he carefully replaced the glasses, turned his
car around and drove away.
Mr.. Owen had left the Marvin place In
haste. He was seemingly intent upon a
direct and important errand, but II any one
who witnessed his departure in his car had
seen where the car stopped an hour later.
both the haste and the errand would still
have been unexplained.
They were in the loneliest stretch of
woods a hah-mile beyond the McCallan
house when Owen leaned forward and said
to his driver: You may stop here"
Eyes. sir" answered the young man with
He drew the machine to the roadside and
then asked: Am I to go with you or stay
here?"
"stay here" answered Owen" But don't
broken down-you understand-and you
will keep us broken down and keep. on
mending the machine until return"
"All right. I get IT, said the valuable
servant with an unpleasant grin.
what do you get?" snapped Owen. stop
ping In the road.
Il mean 1 understand you. sir" said the
youth with just tinge of meaning beyond
his words.
Owen stepped back close to the driver,
shaking = threatening finger under his gel
low chin. what you get from me IA just
your salary. do you understand? Your salary
may be increased in certain emergencies.
But the minute You begin getting anything
else. you quit. Do you get MEr'
Eyes, 1 do, Mr.. Owen. You've been
mighty generous. amt cuttin' on my own
arm to see what somebody else has got up
his sleeve; no. sir.
VERY well. then; get to work"
The youth sprawled down and got out his
tools. For two or three minutes, while
Owens lank form was still visible walking
back along the way they had come, he pre-
the ground. where he could catch them up
again at short notice, strolled to the road
side bank, lit q cigarette and stretched him.
self at his ease.
OWeus VINO was NOT averS0 TO physical Ell
fort when his dearest object was at stake
walked the half mile to Windywild rapidly.
and mentally at ease. Unlike Harry, who
now stood upon the distant Hill. Owens plans
were definite and fixed.
He strobe through the front gate but took
his way Immediately to the stable in front
Of which two grooms were currying q rest
less horse.
Hello. Simon" said Owen to one Of the
grooms. my car has broken down up the
road b0fe. I Wond4P voaA can holm ma
out"
II guess 60" said the groom, mot very
cheerfolly. we got plenty to do today as
It II, Mr.. Owen. with the weddin' party on
an them gol blamed lions to look after"
Who talkA da -lionsf" cried grim voice.
ana. turning. Owen pretended to zee for the
Arst time the form Of a short hear~-eet man
Of the gypsy type. seated on q box at the
stable door smok1ng Z cigarette and ev:-
IDENTITY regarding an the world as the object
Of his personal hate.
Why. who II that mani" asked Owen Of
the groom in . tone Of condesceudiux ipts--