New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1903-04-08


than l had expected"
he said. II did not know just where
to find florist hereabout They are
all covered up, you see. 1t is an even
ing that might wither 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 it's general
lack of intelligence, it may be said that
the countenance Of Barnes was full of
meaning. The man looked self as
sertive, confident and pleased.
II beg your pardon" said he. "Who
is in charge here?"
II 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,"
he said tots
Speak up," said Kendall. what is
it?"
'Those flowers are for the Miller girl.
Of course?" said Barnes. "Well, you'd
better take look at 'em before you
send 'em in. Oh, they're all right, I
guess, but you can't be too CAREFUL
What do you meanY 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 it was, but there's drugs
that, If you smell Of them, why, it's
your finish"
Kendall was too much surprised to
speak. Alden took a hasty step toward
Barnes and collided with Elmendorf,
who courteously begged his pardon.
Meanwhile Brenda picked up the bou-
quet from the table, and as they all
turned toward her she opened the pa
per over the violets and pressed them
against her lips.
'They are very fragrant" she said.
That's all right" returned Barnes
doggedly, "but he put something in
there. What was it?'
'"This bit Of paper, l suppose" said
Brenda, taking it in her fingers. 'Your
message. Clarence" Wy
II think somebody ought to read it,"
said Barnes, looking at Elmendorf out
Of the corner of his eyes.
Alden thrust ElmendOrf aside as if
he had been paper dummy and then
checked himself. Barnes was already
in the hall. .., .go
II can have no quarrel with this crea-
ture," said Alden. "As to my mes
sage, appeal to DR.. Kendall"
''This is more than absurd" rejoined
the doctor. Miss Maclane, whenever
you are ready 49,.
AS Brenda stepped forward the bit
of paper slipped out from among the
flowers and fell to the floor. Elmen-
dorf picked it up.
Il hope you won't misunderstood
me-" he said. perhaps l see farther
ahead than you do. II was in Mr..
Aldeus place, I'd let somebody read
this"
He gave the message to Brenda, who
glanced at Alden as she took it. He
raised his hand in gesture of mega
ton. W. #
- "Now, look here, all of you,' exclaim-
ed Barnes. Here's this girl in the
and he pointed with his thumb in the
supposed direction Of Elsie's room
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 I amt got a
thing against him. He's all right SO
far as know. But what / say is that
the girl ought not to be getting mes
sages on the quiet"
Alden's face was white as paper, and
his eyes were afire. 1t is probable that
every bone In Barnes body ached with
anticipation. but he had been kicked
too often in the way of business to flee
before the actual contact
give stood all of this that my sys-
tenn can absorb" said Kendall, with q
seriousness that scarcely fitted with
the peculiar phrase which had come
into his mouth. AFTER this dime novel
nonsense Of poisoned bouquets I don't
care to have anything more from you.
Get outy'
you're making mistake" said
Barnes and then backed out OF the
room, grinning IKE q monkey, as Ken
dali advanced toward the door.
Brenda replaced the note among the
flowers and gave her free hand to Al
den, bidding him good night.
81 shall not be far away" he said as
the woman preceded Kendall out Of the
room. There's lodging house next
door. shall get place to sleep there.
Sleep7 Well, at least I shall be there.
You viii not fail to summon me fiji
there should be any reason for It
4sYeu may depend upon me-" said