Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-11-18

| case
u am very glad you are here. Mr..
Fetridge." Marion said. in collected
tones. If we ever needed friend.
! II is at this moment"
Il need not say with what eager
ness l shall avail myself OF any op-
portunity I'D aid you Mrs Stack
house" he said earnestly.
She looked him directly in toe eyes.
Not Mrs. Stackhocss, Marion
| North"
He made painful EFFORT 70 appear
anembarrassed. but It was quite evil
sent that be was Eravely alarmed.
-you-kRow-" he stammerod
| Every thing" she returned. with a
| lorlorn, bitter accent.
Good heavens!" he calculated in
| ul-concealed alarm. who tod your"
She made 20 reply in words. but
! with simple gesture indicated the
/ portere at the right In a moment
the two people had disappeared from
view. leaving Aunt Comfort staring
IKE a petrided fgure in a museum
II the drawn curtain. She was awak-
med from aer lethargy by the voice Of
stella calling piteOusly from above:
oh! Aunt Comfort, DO come here!
Do come herei"
And a. the only remaining person
| age in the field OF his vision disap-
| peared John LGmm. detective. began
| 20 exhibit sundry signs OF exaspera-
| lion. In vain be strained his listen
| ing ears, in vain he ventured 90 raise
( The sash OF the window 10 an impru-
ient degree. Nothing but the vague
| nUrmur of voices and the occasional
distant sound of sobbing rewarded his
| snorts.
To be cut of at such a point as
| .hisl" he fumed I'D enjoy hanging
The architect who put such a stupid
| building togetheri"
There was nothing for MIN 20 do
but 20 conjecture and wait The two
people remained in the parlor for near
/ ~ half an hour At the expiration
/ of that time the impatient watcher
saw the poruere disturbed and they
| feappeared in the hall Mr.. Lamm
| eagerly marked their respective APP
| 2earauccs. hoping. thereby 10 construct
| some theory of the nature OF their in
tervicw. Marion was very pale. cold.
| determined, collected. Fetridge bore
| races % uuwOnted agitation His
/ lace was flushed. his hand unsteady.
She accompanied him TO the door
He had opened &C.. when ho turned
tmpuisively and said. appealiugly:
Marion. won't you reconsider your
unhappy resolution and make con
| ddant OF meg"
Richard Fctridge, you ought 20 I'M
l HInr-fn-..H
| 20 know that I never go any other
way than straight ahead do not
act on impulse, but from determine
don."
lie seemed abashod for some reason.
His eyes were turned towards the floor
az her feet
1T was only for your good % ne muir
INJURED. and 7 shall still continue 20
do everything IN my power 20 make
the terrible blow easier for YOU"
he bowed oonstrainediy. glanced fur
| lively mp the staircase as II he hoped
/ TO see another face. and went out. The
| door closed.
Marion caught her breath. set her
teeth together cliuched her fists and
stood mouonless looking al the car
pet
I'D give $500 90 know what that
girl is thinking Of" thought the de-
tective. "she can assume the most un-
| pleasant expression for handsome
woman l ever saw. And, hang me. N
! shouldn't dislike 90 be 10 a position
| dependent on her and incur her enmi-
~ She would sting like serpent the
man who attempted TO throttle her"
The fair woman with the Medca
| face did not remain long the subject
OF his critical contemplation. Slowly.
and In tho same thoughtful attitude.
she began with firm step TO ascend the
! staircase. and soon vanished from
| John Lamms sight and hearing.
That gentleman rapidly came 10 the
conclusion that there was nothing
| further 10 be gained by longer remain
| ing in his precarious hlding-place. In
stead OF leaving by the door. he first
made sure that the coast was clear.
and then got out OF the window and
walked rapidly around the corner to
the front entrance.
He pulled authoritatively at the bell.
After a short delay the summons was
answered by the still tromulous
| mOHeJJ-
/ Il am sorry, man." said Mr. Lamm.
but l must see the ladies after all.
Give my card 20 Miss Harwood.
| please"
Monett accepted the preferred piece
OF pasteboard. on which was engraved:
LEVI DILLINGHAM;.
Police Detective.
Aunt Comfort responded. breathless
and asthmatic. She invited John
Lamm into the reception room. With
quiet dignity the detective proceeded
TO apologize and 20 reassure her. He
regretted the necessity which forced
him TO call at such a time. and en-
larged upon the great service she
| might do the cause OF Justice by max
ing him acquainted with whatsoever
facts OF any possible bearing on the
| motive for the murder that might be
in her DOSSeSSfOn II was ueaTaec A.