The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-05-12

much, suppose Why do you ask?''
"Answ er my question first. What do
yoH know about him?'
Ralph clasped his knee with his hand
and flushed.
''Hang it, Hendricks" he blurted
out, chats beastly indicate ques-
ton, coming right when it does! You
see, the fellow
"I mean 10 oTense," broke in Hen
bricks, his voice still tense and firm.
"But what do you know about him?''
'sThe truth is,' fopndered Ralph
in the rough waters of embarrassment,
"the truth is, don THAT isl can t
say know blamed thing about him
actually. have only known him slight
~ for about three months. He and
have some mutual friends, but as he
lives far away-San Francisco is his
home-I do not know much about him.
You see," Ralph glanced into the draw
ing room, s'my sister and he are stanch
friends. They have met at Newport
and in Europe, and to come right down
to facts she asked me to invite him
here to our house party. She assured
me he belonged to good family and
was gentleman. You may be sure if ]
had not thought he was should not
have consented to have him here
found him pretty good fellow-a lit
tie slow-a little more English than
sAc average New Yorker, butt
Ralph's powers Of expression seemed
to fail him.
Hendricks crossed his legs, leaned
back Oh the lounge, and half of his
crushed cigar fell to the rug at his feet.
"You remember" be said, "the tes-
timony of Miss Hastings at the inquest?
She stated that she heard your father
telling some che that he would disown
somebody the next day"
"You msntioned it last night, an
swered Ralph. ''It was the first had
heard of it. I asked Miss Hastings about
it today. She seemed surprised that !
had not understood. She told me she
had plainly heard my father say it and
that she had ever since thought he was
speaking to me- She appeared very
much upset over it and seemed delight
ed TO have me assure her that my father
had not spoken the words to me- and
that had not been in his room that
night. I then went to my sister and
asked her if nay father had used such
words to her. She refused to answer,
seemed vexed at my question and asked
me if you had said anything about her
and Montcastls last night when was
under arrest. / told her you had not.
She wanted to know what had passed
between us, but kept my promise to
you and said nothing about your theo-
ries. She still believes my father COM
mitted suicide, is very nervous and has
not been at all like herself since the
murder"
Hendricks leaned forward. 1t seemed
TO Lampkin, who was watching his
features closely, that he drew deep
breath before he began to speak
'Bentcn," he said, Il am sure your
father was speaking to Miss Benton
that night. Moreover, l have conclusive
proof that both she and Mr.. Montcastle
hastily packed their things that night,
went in cab to the station and tried
to catch the 1880 train for New York.
have
Ralph sprang to his feet.
''By heavens, Hendricks" he cried,
"beware of what you are saying! 1t
you impugn the good name eff my sister.
if you dare
keen liuiet,' said Hendricks calm
y, and he leaned back Oh the sofa.
don + be impulsive. Ii you had known
me longer, you wculd know 1 do not
make rash statements. Besides. | have
said nothing against the character of
your sister. If you can account for Miss
Benton's and Montcastle's conduct that
night, you may do them Il valuable serv-
ice. Fer the present., however, | am
bound to own that their actions, togeth-
or with tLelr evident secrecy slice that
night, have decidedly ugly lock. -
The young mans anger subsidized. 1t
overpowered it. He leaned Gu the back
of his chair with trembling L&.l.s. His
face was deathly pale.
Pardon me- he said. Eat yen
say you know " lat you have just stat
ed? Yen Know that they tried to catch
the / 80 train for New Yoke
II CO. They were not quick enough.
The nexs train was not due before 1920
They came back home, bringing their
luggage OIL a cab. McEtcastle did rot
unpack his bag, but Miss Benton took
ont her wearing a.,Carel ard hung it
np."
Ralph stared; Lis white lips parted.
They could hear Kin breathing.
''It's absurd perfectly ahscrd.' he
said, trying to srliie lily sister would
not
Hendricks interrupted him with a
gesture Of tho hand
II am not" he said, working on
the theory that your sister had hand
in the crime. But, ii may ask, Go you
think the relationship tetwecn Miss
Benton and Montcas;le is such that if
mind you, if-he were 10 tell her he had
accidentally killed your father, or did
it in the heat of passi On, under impulse,
or in self defense, and was afraid to
face the law-do ycu think. say, that
she would stand by him?''
An expression of vast relief trembled
in the young mans eyes and passed
over his face.
"They are engaged to be married. =
Il