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

much, suppose. Why do you ask?''
"Answer my question first. What do
yon know about him?"
Ralph clasped his knee with his hand
and flushed.
"Hang it, Hendricks" he blurted
out, "that's q beastly indelicate cues
ton, coming right when it does! You
see, the fellow
~ mean 30 oTense," broke in Hen
bricks, his voice still tense and firm.
"But what do you know about him?''
"The truth u.s." foundered Ralph
in the rough waters of embarrassment,
"the truth is, ! don't-that isl can t
say know blamed thing about him
actually. have only known him slight
" for about three months He and l
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, 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 "a gentleman. You may be sure if ]
had not thought he was I should not
have consented to have him here.
found him pretty good fellow-a lit
tie slow-a little more English than
the 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" he said, "the tes-
timony of Miss Hastings at the inquest?
She stated that she heard your father
telling some enc that he would disown
somebody the next day"
lyon mentioned it last night" an
gwered Ralph. ''It was the first 1 had
heard of it. 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. / 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 Montcastle last night when was
under arrest I 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 a deep
breath before he began to speak.
'Bentcn," he saiG, Il am sure your
father was speaking to Miss Benton
that night. Moreover, 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 80 train for New York.
/ have''- {
Ralph sprang to his feet.
by heavens, Hendricks" he cried,
"beware of what you are saying! If
you impugn the good name eff my sister.
if you CARE
keen .7uiet," 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 yen cGn account for Miss
Benton's and Montcastle's conduct that
night, you May do tEern a valuable serv-
ice. Fer the present., however, am
bound to own that their acticns tCgelh-
or with thelr evident secrecy slice that
night, have decidedly ugly lock. I"
The young mans anger subsidized. 1t
was as if sudden fear and suspicion had
overpowered it. He leaned CT the back
of his chair with trembling LS.t.s. Lis
face was deathly pale.
Pardon me-" he said "CUt yen
say you know " kat you have just stat
ed? Yen know that they tried TO catch
the 1880 train for New Ycl.:''
II Go. They were not quick enough
The nexs train was not due before 1920
They came back home, bringing their
luggage OH a cab. MCEtcastle did Tot
unpack his bag, but Miss Benton tcok
ont her wearing G.-arcl u,.3 hung it
up."
Ralph stared; Lis white lips parted.
Ihey could hear Kin breathing.
Its absurd y rfectiy ahsCrd," he
said, trying to s,.lile. lily sis.tr would
not
Hendricks interrupted him with a
gesture CT the hand.
II am not," he said, working on
ne theory that your sister had hand
in the crime But, if may ask, Go yen
think the relationship tetwecn Miss
Benton and Montcasile is such that if
mind you, if-he were 10 tell Ter he had
accidentally killed your father, or did
it in the heat of passion, under impulse,
or in self defense, and as afraid to
face the law-do yen think, say. that
she would stand by him?''
An expression of vast relief trcmbled
in the young mans eyes and passed
over his face.
"They are engaged to be married,
In nd, ct, ,,,,l-- tt>n