Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-11-24

between these two windows was a
semi-continuous window which form
ed curved corner. The couch was
pushed up close in the corner, in such
a way that it would catch any pass
ing breeze. The desk was facing the
couch. and rested against the wall
which made the alcove. On the walls
were foils, boxing gloves, miniature
boat, a broken oar with crimson rib
bon and similar articles. On the wall
opposite the desk was a gun, on a
rest, powder flask, and above these
a baseball bat and a catcher's mask.
OF course I examined the gun and
found it empty, with not even a cap
on it. These were the only articles
Of any consequence the photograph
disclosed.
The next day l was called upon by
Miss Sawyer and young lady whom
she introduced as her friend, Mena
Bell, of Boston, who had come to
make her long visit; and she said
must make her house my headquar-
ters. She thought I could do better
service by being constantly about the
premises, and, besides, it would not
be unpleasant to have a man in the
house.
While | had not made any progress
in solving the mystery which brought
me to Tiltonsville, it is not quite true
that 1 had not progressed favorably
toward a wholesome friendship with
Grace Sawyer and Mena Bell, who
were delightful companions. l was
treated as a guest and equal
We were lively trio, and one day,
in the midst of gale Of merriment,
Miss Sawyer suddenly became serious
and said:
Perhaps, Mr.. Fox, you think me
an odd mixture. I loved my father as
devotedly as an only child could love
an only parent and my grief is strong
upon me at all times. But I know
papa would wish me not to shut out
sunshine; and if 1 can get away from
sadness and gloom 1 am best serving
myself and paying the highest tribute
to his memory"
l admired Grace Sawyer for that
speech but I admired more the phil
osophy which prompted it.
Three weeks had passed and had
made no Roadway in the case We
were on the river, and Miss Bell in
quired in an easy, off-hand way If
had made any progress. I replied
promptly and almost abruptly:
mo. 1 have discovered nothing"
"Is that possible?' she drawled pro-
vokingly.
'Is what possible. Miss Bell?'
''To discover nothingn
Miss Bells speech nettled me, not
SO much by the words as her manner
while speaking them, and ] wondered
if she had seen through the veil and
had discovered that 1 was in love with
Grace Sawyer. Later on 1 met her
alone, and resolved to dissipate that
impression. assuming my conclusion
was correct With this thought up
permost l remarked:
"You tainted me this afternoon.
Miss Bell and I want to say, in self
| justification, that l offered to surren-
der this case some time ago, but Miss
Sawyer would not consent. / am free
to say to you that I see no hope of
solving this mystery unless luck
points the way, and /"
somehow 1 feel as if you will win
out yet" she responded, kindly; "but
1 know Grace will never feel content
until the mystery surrounding her
fathers death is cleared up. | am
sure l wish you success, but Grace
will never-there, she is calling me;
good-by for the present. | am dumb"
! The next day Miss Sawyer came to
the study for what she termed con-
sultation. l was lying on the couch
when a rap came upon the door, and
before the echo of my "Come in" had
died she was in the room. She told
me not to move and seated herself at
the desk, and said:
81 cannot bear this doubt and I'M
certainty. If my father was muir
dered l want to know it. and l want
to see the murderer. Oh, l wouldn't
harm him, If he'd confess I think l
could almost forgive him; if l don't
| know for certain I shall go mad"
She had swung about on the swivel
chair, with her head and body thrown
forward, and was sobbing bitterly. I
sprang from the couch, more crazed
| than ever l was before or since, and
placing my hands on her shoulders,
| cried:
"Grace, Grace, don't you know l
would turn the world upside down for
| your sake?"
| Then I became lucid and realized
what had said; the reaction was as
painful as the paroxysm had been de-
| licious. I drew back. Grace turned
and faced me! as her eyes confronted
mine was startled at their brilliance,
and in making a backward movement
my hand rested on the gun; the touch
| of that sun-heated iron formed an
electric current, and in pain, fright
1 "A