Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-24

senseless, it had been a glancing one,
the only thing that saved his skull
He removed the bandases, made him
self as presentable as possible, am
after hurried breakfast departed for
Concord; promising, however, " re
turn later in the day.
Jerry had already gone To the city,
Miss HOlcOmb was not up. and Edith.
who served his coffee. avoided the one
subject uppermost in her mind
Kingsblry's first cali was at Cruth.
ers's Office, but to his disgust the law
yer was not in and he could not find
out when he would return. II seemed
as if the very people he needed to see
were given to avoiding him
He went to the railroad station,
tried to get some Information along
the line of Cruther's statement to
Trench concerning MacLean's move
mens. and obtained no further infor-
nation.
A talk with Franklin over the wire
left him in doubt as to whether he
should go to the police. The manag-
ing editor of the News was puzzled
ard alarmed at MacLean's continued
absence, but he doubted the advisa-
bilty OF appealing to the law. He left
that question. however, up to Kings
bury, suggesting that the lawyer try
once more to get at the full facts as
known to Trench.
On such a mission kingsbury de-
parted for the Farewell Club, was as
sured by O'Brien that Trench was not
there. and set out. late in the after
noon, for the politicians home.
As he drove along the road he
glanced down through the extensive
grounds and caught sight of Marjory
Hocomb across the lawn.
He seized the opportunity he had
wanted and hurried. to join the girl.
She saw him coming and turned,
deep sympathy in her eyes.
Pm so sorry. Edith told me-" she
said, holding out her hand. Il hope
You are feeling better?'
Fine" he agreed MY head is
little sore, that's all When one comes
/ down on hardpiece of wood some
thing has to give
She looked as if she would like to
question him, but held silent.
Kingsbury moved along slowly at
her side. and they went for some
distance down under the spreading
trees and away from the house.
A bench under clump of elms Of
fered a cool spot to pause. and Mar
jory sat down, glancing up into
kingsbury's GAGE.
He had been talking earnestly for
some time, and the girls face was
just the least bit troubled.
Il understand" she agreed. Il am
as anxious to get at The bottom of this
matter - you do admit that there is
something TO be explained in Mr.. Mae
Leans absence-as you can be. Edith
is terribly worried.
I'm glad to have you say that, I've
admitted that there is something
to be explained because feel sure
you understand that fact as well as
do
Il have suspected it, she nodded.
Haven't you more than suspected
/ it? Haven't you something to tell
| me?'
Her eyes lifted to his face in sur
prise. II? Something to tell you?
You mean something that Edith has
said? She doesn't know thing; she
only suspects"
But you do you know some.
thing"
She bent forward, her hands clasp.
ed about her knee.
Pm afraid | don't comprehend"
she protested
He sat down quickly beside her.
Miss Holcomb, met you at the
/ crossroads. and but for that pistol
shot you would have told me some.
thing then. Why not now"
/ "You met me where?" she demand
/ ed
/ AT the crossroads, as you sug
gested in your note also saw you
/ enter Mrs. Carey's cottage; and |
know of the shot fired from the
dormer.window What would you have
told me had you not been fired upon
on the Norton Road? and who was
that man at Mrs. Carey's?"
That man. Uncle Jerry. told me
it was nothing. We heard the peb.
/ bles striking the glass; did. | mean.
/ Uncle Jerry was writing-and went
to the window and raised the shade
and sash Then there was the shot.
Uncle Jerry said il was signal, but
well, don't think II could be-
"Nor L. agreed Tom dryly.
But as for meeting YOU on the
Norton Road--what do you mean, Mr.,
klngsbury?'
Tom frowned He wondered sud.
denly il he could have made a mis-.
take. Until that moment such an idea
had never entered his head so sure
was he Of the voice and the glimpse
of the girls face caught as the veil
lifted.
II had a note, unsigned, asking me-