Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 2 — page 129: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE SICKLE OF dream that I knew what she’d done. I always kept friendly, because that was the only way I could think of to harm her. You see, she didn’t have taste about things, and she let me choose colors and patterns. So I picked out what weuld be unbecoming. She was short-waisted for one thing, an I made her look shorter.”’ 4» vindictive light flushed in her eyes. ‘“ Flora’s been to me with her things, too lately, and for her I always done the best I knew. She wa’n’t to blame for her mother’s wickedness. About two weeks ago she brought me silk enough for a new dress, and when I see how particular she was about it, of course I kind of guessed. I knew she’d been going with Will Davis, and 1 thought she was getting her wedding things. I sat up nights making it just the way she wanted it, and of course I didn’t ask any questions—even though once, when I was fittmng her, I looked up and she was crying. But I never' dreamed till yester- day—”’ She paused. In the silence they had heard the tramp of feet on the stone step at the rear of the house. Men were entering the kitchen, and their shadows obliterated the patch of sun- light on the floor. “What's that?” Hetty screamed, start- ing up. ‘“‘ Who’s out there? Oh, Mr. Grant, they ain’t come for me already?” * The constable’s figure loomed in the doorway. Joel Benton and Will Davis were behind him, and two of the selectmen. Hetty spoke shrilly. ‘* What’s Joel come for?”’ “T took him into custody last night,” Jim Amsden retorted, “because he con- fessed, here in this room, to the murder. I hear there’s a different story now?” | Hetty took a swift step forward. ‘‘ Joel said that? Why, you didn’t be lieve ‘twas him, did you? Yow that have known him all his life. You ought to have guessed he was only trying to save some- body else. You let him go; don’t you lay @ hand on him!. I’m owning to the murder!” Joel Benton edged past the constable. He looked shrunken and exhausted in the morning light. His hair was . uncombed eee a he FATE. 3il and his face was drawn with sleeplessness, but when he spoke he kept his voice steady. Its soothing tone was meant for Hetty’s ear, but his words were for the others in the room. | “You oughtn’t to pay any attention to what she says, when she’s wrought up so. You ought to see she ain’t responsible. I told you how it was last night here, and if you'd listen to me—”’ His voice trailed off gradually into silence and he stood looking toward the hall. The others turned to follow his glance. Mrs. Winslow had appeared in the door- -way. She was steadying herself with one hand against the wall, while the other hand clutched at the neck of her dress. Her eyes were staring. “TPve been looking for Hetty every- where,’”’ she gasped, ‘“‘ and I’ve been for the doctor. He’s up there now. But it’s too late for him to do anything. Some one tell Hetty.” 66 Lucy?” ; The figure of the little dressmaker stood immovable, as if seme thought had fixed it “I oughtn’t to have left her!” she whis- pered. They noticed that she asked no other question, but stared straight before her at some picture fear had printed on her brain —some picture, perhaps, which had always been there. Mrs. Winslow peered from face to face. “I went over there just now to find Hetty and pay her for making that wedding dress.’ Didn’t any one come to the door, so I walked in. It-seemed dreadful still, but ‘I knew Lucy must be somewhere around, $0 I called and called. Finally I went up- stairs, because sometimes she sits up there alone in her room. She was kneeling there by. the window with her head on the sill, and when I spoke to her she didn’t answer. I see a tumbler on the light-stand—”’ She paused, shuddering. | For a moment no one spoke. Benton stepped forward. “Our Hes weren’t any use, Hetty,” he said; “ yours no more than mine.’’. She covered her face with her hands and dropped down upon the sofa. Then Joel C - COLM tatoe KS) __) COlini