Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-03-14

May ask why?"
Shame flashed across the fellows
face. His voice was a little more than
q whisper.
OTIS easy to ask" he said.
Therefore ask"
The red deepened.
IL had come from the end OF the
island already. and the path through
the woods-it was too dark. II was
better to stay there"
He pointed towards the house.
Although that was empty. and !
amt anxious to try it again,
The flush faded. He spoke with
more confidence now. Evidently he
felt his plainly confessed terror was
justified.
when you ask like that all | can
say is you haven't tried it Yourself
But" Miller said, Il spent the night
in that piece Of forest you were afraid
to cross. Nothing happened to me-
What are you talking about"
The man shook
II don't see how YOU did IT, he
whispered. 81 don't see how you did
It,"
Miller laughed shortly.
Come. That's enough. TOny's grow
: ing nervous. You've forgotten ,he suns
shining now, must have little con-
mon sense from both of you. No word
OF the torOner yeti"
Tony point at tie hose.
He came re inmates 20 Nc gam
man answered. Inside w.,h Ms. An
derson."
"Why didn't you tell me-" Miller
snapped, annoyed at the delay.
He hurried TO the house and enter.
ed the damp, unhealthy hall. AS the
door closed behind him his ugly
thoughts OF last night rushed back.
Without any other provocation than
the air one breathed here he could
imagine Molly and Anderson hating
this house.
A voice came to him from the din
ing room. Immediately it aroused a
disagreeable sensation. 1t reached Mil
Ter raspingly. Its nasal tone was al
most belligerent. A sob from Molly
brought it to a pause. Then it contin
ued on the same note.
Miller stepped forward. Molly had
evidently heard his entrance, for sne
met him in the dining room doorway.
Her face was red from weeping. Miller
could not be sure her tears had any
source beyond the tragedy. He had
not caught what the other had said
but he felt II the coroner was respon
sible in the slightest degree for this
breakdown he would like to force that
rasping, nasal vioce TO the humiliaI
ing s0ftness Of apology.
The coroner followed Molly into the
hall. Miller glanced at him.
He was lanky native, unoouth ard
with a sharp jawed, assertive face.
His stringy moustache was stained
and repulsive He wore frOck coat
which appeared not unreasonably. as
old as himself In his hand he carried
Z black felt SLOUGH hat.
As soon as he saw him Miller was
glad Morgan had decided not to vic
late any of the formal procedure In
such cases.
Has anything unexpected happen
ed?" he asked Molly.
She shook her head.
i've just been talking 10 the core
ner, Jim. This is Mr.. Miller" she
went on, motoning the man forward
Mr.. Miller Is very dear friend Of
ours--a very old friend. think he viii
look after everything as much as pos.
sible. As--as I told you Id rather
not be troubled any more than is nee.
esssry."
Her voice tralled away
"That's right, ma am" the coroner
rasped out. "I've heard your story.
Don't see much to be gained by ask.
ing YOU any mOIe uow'
Jim she said pitifully, II didn't
.ealize some Of the things he's told
me-"
Don't think Of them Molly. He's
said he's through with you. Trust ma
for the rest"
why are you here7" she asked.
"Who--who's with Jake?'
Morgan. He came along early. He
was on his way TO you. OF course
he didn't know we'd been there all
night"
The coroner started.
you were alone all night back N
aAtnh- ng- ao0ds!" he asked.
lQllsr nodded siass. =. ~