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


impauently. It's OF no particular
consequence. We have other things
to occupy our time now"
Yes. indeed. Thornton" said Aunt
Comfort. with a sob She was port
~ woman, but exceedingly nervous
and ddgety in spite Of her size. and
she made half a hundred purposoless
movements In a moment when excited.
"Oh. the body, Where is IL? You
must go straight back 70 Boston and
get il. Those body-snatchers are ter
ribly sly creatures. Thornton. did you
read in yesterdays paper"
Mr. StackhOuse could endure no
more
Nonsense. womsni" he interrupted.
sternly Leave this matter 20 me and
attend 20 your household duties But
tell me" he added. Immediately. In
voice which he vainly endeavored 70
render Indifferent. what sent the girls
oG 10 the city yesterday afternoon!
Did YOU observe nothing? What did
they say"
"Oh Thornton. Hush! They are
coming"
True enough. there was q sound OF
a door closing. the rustic Of skirts and
the echo of voices simultaneously
floating down the staircase from the
region above.
Stackhouse took step forward. but
started back immediately. looking up
ward 10 puzzled, spprehensive way.
ooh. don't. don'ti don't. beg OF
'ou, Marion. on my knees 1 beg of
-ou!"
A woman's voice raised In that keen,
penetrating fashion that reveals a cli-
max, an outburst OF depressed emotion.
altering such words as these. could not
oe "a common sound fra such q house as
his. Stackhouse. whose face was iu
direct line OF the detectives vision,
Ooked ar 80 a b0mbshel had burst at
ais feet He was speechless with won
Ter and dismay.
stella. returned an luGexbIe voice.
I command you Co let me go. know
what my duty is and I shall DO IT,"
The other woman might have been
Silenced by fear or overawed by the
Iternuess OF her 90 whom she had APP
Pealed. for she made no further out
try. The footsteps were already on
ihe stairs. "a white skirt futtered by
he raiuuE Again Stacthouse took a
step forward. and again be stopped.
ia may have been a gesture on his
wife's part or something that he saw
In her face. Certain 10 is that be be
came a shade whittier. and that in his
EFFORT TO speak his tongue seemed 20
-leave to the roof OF has mouth. He
stammered two words.
why Mariout"
Don't speak Co me! Don't touch me.
Never call me by that name againl"
The tone was certainly not a loud
one. IL could not be said that there
was theatrical ring about the man
ner OF enunciation The words were
low. distinct. and uttered with such
calm, terrible intensity that blase as
he was. Detective Lamu experienced
genuine thrill He felt himself In the
presence OF a remarkable woman. and
The same sort OF keen and GREATNESS In
terest with which lac had followed
great acting on the stage took posses
sion of him.
ooh. Nar.oni" IL was tho sister
who spoke, aud the tone was quite
heartbroken and hopeless
Stackhouse seemed Co recover from
his temporary paralysis
You had better go 20 your room.
Stella he said. ia "a voice bat barely
audible "I must talk with Marion
alone"
DO not stir a step," commanded the
other woman. as stella went towards
the door. Il wish you TO hear what
little have 90 say 20 this man You.
too, Aunt Comfort. Don't stand In the
doorway there looking SO frightened.
Come back The more witnesses the
better"
There was a brief interval, marked
only by otella's sobbing and the elder
womans wheezy CALCULATIONS, uttered
Ike signal guns almost every second.
Marion Stackhouse. have you taken
leave OF your senses?" faltered the
business associate Of the late Paul
North
NO. have just found them. Do
not dare 20 associate your name with
mine This is the last time I will
ever speak 10 you. Witness. Stella.
and you. too. Aunt Comfort From
this hour We live apart"
But Marion" interrupted the wom-
an, remember your promise az the
altar! You are not feeling well. and
don't know what YOU are saying. On
this day, too. OF all others, when your
poor father"
Stop. Aunt Comfort" interposed
Marion, imperiously. You do not
know-how is IL possible you should
know-the terrible cause that impels
me. Ny contempt for this man whom
I have called husband"
What fend possesses you?" inter
rupted Stackhouse. unable TO restrain
himself Called your husband2
What do you mean?"
"A name is all need TO speak" re-
sponded Marion, scOrn and contempt
expressed IN every word: Marie
MoissOt!"
The name burst from Marion's lips
like the accusation OF an ayenging an
eel II IL nroho b1c that Cfoclyhc.sa