Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-04-29
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.


them. Finally, as If satisfied with
what he saw, he asked:
Have you been shoppingW
She seemed surprised at the trivial
question following so closely upon
the scrutiny she mad undergone, and
said:
rs that all, Mr.. Bluebeard? Ora
cious, how you scared me. l expected
to hear you say in sepulchral tones,
Woman, there Is guilt on your face
where have you hidden the bodyY And
Instead, after that soul-searching gaze,
you ask the commonplace question in
commonplace tones, Have you been
shoppingT"
With sigh or content and love and
relief he threw his arms round her
and drew her close to him for a mo-
ment. Then she seated herself oppo-
site him in a low chair, where the
freight fell on her face, bringing out
all its charm.
In the magnetism of her presence
her husband became almost happy
once more-unttl the memory of that
letter came back to sting him.
Suddenly he asked her:
Adele, were you ever in Dorking?"
She opened wide her eyes and. an
swered:
No, dear, why do you askH"
Just curiosity" Then, after a
pause, he added: Did you ever know
man named Tom Spencer"
She laughed softly and, folding her
dainty hands, replied:
Now am indeed on the rack. Why
torture my innocent soul with the Gu
rlosity to know the reason for placing
me in the witness boxY"
At her irrevelant answer his doubts
rose again, and he rather sternly re-
peated his question, with a request for
direct reply.
TON Spencer - Tom Spencer -
where have l seen or heard that
name?" she Queried softly, as If to
herself. II certainly don't know any
Tom Spencer, but l believe l have
heard the name somewhere"
And now, you dear cross ogre, are
there any more conundrums for me?
Because, If you have finished, l will
go and dress for dinner"
He laughed and watched her disap,
pear through the door.
A month passed, and during this
time Robert Malcolm tried to detect a
flaw In his wifes devotion to justify
him In the doubt which would creep in
whenever he thought of that letter.
But 1t was In vain that he sought an
explanation in her manner. There
was nothing about her to suggest that
wealth had palled upon her, or that
without poverty and Tom Spencer her
life was blank. She was as ever
airily affectlonate, daintily tyrannical,
hippant and serious in one breath,
with that Infinite variety" which was
her greatest charm. One night when
they had returned from dance be de-
cided to make a full confession to her
and to ask her for an explanation.
She had thrown herself into an easy
chair and looked even fairer than usu-
al.
rapidly he told her all-all about the
letter, his doubts and despair and the
unhappiness he felt whenever he
thought OF the matter. While he was
talking she was looking down and
twisting the rings on her slender fin
gers. When he finished she looked up
at him with slow, amused smile
creeping over her face.
NOW | understand those questions
you asked me about Tom Spencer.
Yes, that was the name-and | know
why the name seemed familiar to
me-"
well, what of Tom Spencer? Who
is hep
HE is a creature of my own i'm
agination, and once having created
Thomas l straightway forgot him.
When you asked me that day l won
dered where l had heard the name"
What do you mean" he demand
ed.
Only this, Bob-but first you must
promise not to laugh at me-" She
stopped, looking at him anxiously. He
nodded impatlently. and she went on.
Some time ago l conceived the idea
of being literary. thought out story
and decided that l would depart from
the usual routine and have 1t told In a
series of letters. You got hold OF the
beginning of the story. l was called
away that day. and never thought |
again Of my literary venture"