The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-09-11
CHAPTER VIII.
MAKING TROUBLE.

EM Et!S florists use.
Us~N II was gone longer
~ than I had expected"
he said. IT did not know Just where
TO find a florist hereabout They are
all covered up. you see. IT Is an even
ing that might witber a flower with
one breath"
He passed the bouquet somewhat
awkwardly across the big table to
Brenda, who in the act Of receiving IT
was so startled by the sudden appear
ance Of the ward detective, Barnes,
upon the threshold that she let the
flowers fall.
With due allowance for its general
lack Of intelligence, It may be said that
the countenance of Barnes was full OF
meaning. The mar looked self as
sertive. confident and pleased
az beg your pardon" said he. "Who
Is In charge here?"
IT am for the moment" replied Ken
dali.
Barnes hesitated, looking sidewise at
Alden. Then his glance shifted to the
bouquet upon the table and rebounded
in the direction of the doctor.
I'D like to have a word with you.N
be said.
Speak up" said Kendall What Is
TT"
Those flowers are for the Miller girl.
Of courseT' said Barnes. well. you'd
better take a look at 'em before you,
send 'em tn. Oh, they're all right, l.
guess, but you can't be too careful"
"What do you mean?' demanded
Kendall,
Barnes pointed a finger at Alden.
That man put something into them"
he said. II saw him do It. l don't
know what 1t was, but there's drugs.
that. II you smell OF them. why. it's
your finish"
speak. Alden took q hasty step toward
Barnes and collided with Elmendorf,
wto courteously begged bis pardon.
Meanwhile Brenda picked up the bou-
Quet from the table. and as they all
turned toward her she opened the Pc
per over Tue NFOtetS ara p'SScN hSn
against her lips.
'eTtey are very fragrant" she said.
That's all right" returned Barnes
dogsedly. but he put something In
there. What vas itT'
This bit Of paper, ] suppose" said
Brenda. taking 1t in her fingers. your
message. Clarence:
Il think somebody ought to read It."
said Barnes. looking at Elmendorf out
Of the corner Of his eyes.
Alden thrust Elmendorf aside 80 If
he had been q paper dummy and then
checked himself. Barnes was already
On the hall.
90! can have no quarrel with this crea-
ture," said Alden. AS to my NEE
sage. | appeal to DR.. Kendall"
This is more than absurd" retoined
she doctor. Miss Maclane. whenever
you are ready
As Brenda stepped forward the bit
OF paper slipped out from among the
flowers and fell TO the floor. E1men-
lorf picked 1t up.
HOlV " " Q
me-" he said perhaps ! see farther
ahead than you do. II | was In Mr..
Alden's place, I'd let somebody read
this"
He gave the message to Brenda, who
glanced ut Alden az she took Il. He
raised his hand In a gesture Of mega
ton.
Now. look here. all OF you" exclain-
ed Barnes. Here's this girl IN the
and he pointed with his thumb tn tie
supposed direction Of Else's roon-
"who's hiding what she knows don't
say it's In this mans interest, but IT'S
In somebody's interest; that's sure.
She wouldn't be the first woman that's
had the nerve to get the knife and say
nothing. don't accuse anybody. es-
pecially not this man. for atn't got q
thing against him. He's all right so
far as know. But what soy Is. that
the girl ought not to be getting mes
saSes on the quiet"
Alden's face was white as paper. and
his eyes were aine. 1t ts probable that
every bone In Barnes body sched With
anticipation, but be bad been Kicked
too often In The way OF business to dee
before the actual contact
"l'ye stood all OF this that my sTs'
tenn IAN absorb" said Kendall With q
seriousness that scarcely lifted with
the peculiar phrase which bad come
into his mouth. AFTER this dime o%e
nonsense Of poisoned boUquets I ooirt