Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-10-03

alternative. Having once decided to
speak. will tell you all without omit
ting any particular
d" 1t is your wisest course said !.
Mr.. Drebber has been with us
nearly three weeks. He and his sec
retary, Mr.. Stangerson, had been trav-
cling on the Continent. ! noticed q
Copenhagen" label upon each Of their
trunks, showing that that had been
their last stopping place. Staugerson
was quiet, reserved man. but his en-
ployer, l am sorry TO say. was far
otherwise. He was coarse in his hsb-
its and british in his ways. The very
night OF his arrival he became very
much the worse for drink. and, In
deed. after IL O'Clock in the day he
could hardly ever be said 20 be sober.
His manners toward the maid servants
were disgustingly free and familiar.
Worst OF all. he speedily assumed the
same manner toward my daughter,
Alice, and spoke to her more than
once in way which. fortunately, she
Is too innocent 10 understand. On one
occasion he actually seized her in his
arms and embraced her-an outrage
which caused his own secretary to re-
proach him for his unmanly conduct
but why do you stand all this?' I
asked. I suppose that you can get ri1
Of your boarders when you wish
Mrs. Charpentier blushed at my
Pertinent question.
would to God that I had given
him notice on the very day he came,
she said. But it was a sore tempta-
Thar l,-
each-14 pounds a week. and this is q
slack season. I am a widow. and my
hoy in the navy has cost me much.
grudged to lose the money. acted for
the best. This last was too much,
however, and l gave him notice to
leave on account Of it. That was the
reason Of his going
"Well?'
my heart grew light when l saw
him drive away. Ny son is on leave
Just now but I did not tell him any.
thing OF this. for his temper is violent
and he is passionately fond OF his sis
ter. When ! closed the door behind
them a load SCENE. to be lifted from
my mind. AIas. in less than an hour
there was a ring at the bell, and l
learned that MI. Dre0ber had re-
turned. He was much excited and
evidently the worse for drink. He
forced his way into the room where I
was sitting with my daughter and
made some incoherent remark about
having missed his train. He then
turned to Alice. and. before my very
face. proposed 10 her that she should
fly with him. You are OF age" he
said. "and there is no law to stop you.
have money enough, and TO spare.
Never mind the old girl here. but
come along with me now straight
away. You shall live like a princess =
Poor Alice was so frightened that she
ehrank away from him, but he caught
her BY the wrist and endeavored 70
to draw her toward the door. !
screamed. and at that moment my son
Arthur came into the room. What
Happened then I do not know. /
heard oaths and confused sounds OF Z
scuffle. was too terrified to raise my
head. When l did look up I saw Arthur
standing in the doorway laughing,
with a stick in his hand. 81 don't
think that fine fellow will trouble US
again" he said. 81 will Just go after
him and see what he does with him
self" With these words he took his
hat and started OF down the street
The next morning we heard OF Nr.
Drebberis mysterious death
This statement came from Mrs.
Charpentier's lips with many gasps
and pauses. At times she spoke so
low that I could hardly catch the
words. I made shorthand notes of all
that she said. however, so that there
could be no possibility Of mistake
IT'S quite exciting" said Sherlock
Holmes, with yawn. What hap
pened neIt?"
When Mrs. Charpentier paused"
the detective continued. 81 saw that
Fixing her with my eye in a way
which I always found effective with
women. I asked her at what hour her
son returned.
az do not know she answered.
"'Not know
"'No; he has a latch key and let
himself in
After you went TO bed?'
Yes
When did you go 10 bed?
about eleven
$50 your son was gone at least two
hours?'
Yes
Possibly four or fve?
yes
What was he doing during that
time2'
"T do not know she answered,
turning white 10 her very lips.
Go be conunued.J