The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-01-12
Loretta. the Jeffreys' maid

tcreSt In the man most threatened ny
my visit. Was 1t, could II he, on her
own account? Recalling what | had
heard whispered about the station con-
corning n maid Of the Jcffrcys who al
ways seemed on the point of sayin"
something which never really left her
lips, stopped her rs she was about to
slip upstairs and quietly asked:
Are you LOretta|
The way she turned, the way she
looked at me, as she gave me short
affirmative and then quickly proceed
ed on her way, convinced me that my
colleagues were right as to her being q
woman who had some cause for dread
ing police interference. instantly
made up my mind that here was a
mine TO be worked and that knew
Just the demure little soul best equip
ped to act the part of miner
In moment she came back, and l
had q chance to note again her pretty
but expressionless features. among
which the restless eyes alone bespoke
character or decision.
MIR. Jeffrey Is in the back room
upstairs" she announced. He says
for you to come up"
"Is II the room Mrs. Jeffrey used to
occupy" asked, with open curiosity,
as passed her.
An involuntary shudder proved that
she was not without feeling. So did
the quick disclaimer:
mo, no! Those rooms are closed
He occupies the one Miss futile had
before she went away"
"Oh. then. Miss futile Is gone"
Loretta disdained to answer She
had already said enough to cause her
TO bite her lip as she disappeared dowr
| the basement stair. Decidedly the boys
! were right. An uneasy feeling followed
| any conversation with this girl. Yet
while there was slyncss in her man
! ner. there was certain frank honesty
! visible in It, too. which caused me t.
think that If she could ever be made t
speak her evidence could be relied on.
Mr. jeffrey was sitting with hi
back to the door when | entered, bu
turned rs | spoke his name and hell
out his hand for the note ! carried. III
appeared to shrink from observation
and shifted uneasly rs long as stoo'
in front of him, though he said nothing
and did not lift his eyes from the lette
he was pcruslng till he heard me steI
bnck to the door had purposely lief
open and softly closed it, Then b
glanced up with keen If not a
alarmed look. which seemed an exag
gerated one for the occaslon-that Ii
If he had no secret to keep.
"Do you suffer so from draftsF h
asked, rising in a way which in itsel
was dismissal.
smiled an amused denial, ther
with the simple dlrectness | though
most likely to win me his confidence
entered straight upon my business |
these plain words;
pardon me, Mr.. Jeffrey, | hav
something to say which Is not exact
fitted for the ears of servants The
as he pushed his chair suddenly bac
| added reassuringly: at is not pr
lice matter, sir, but an entirely pc
sonal one. 1t may strike you as In
portant, and 1t may not. Mr.. Jenre,
was the man who made the unhapp
discovery in the Moore mansion whlc
has plunged this house into mourning
, This announcement startled him an
produced Il visible change in his maj
ner. His eyes flew first to one doc
? and then TO another, as If it were !
who feared intrusion now.
, 81 beg your pardon for speaking 9
, so painful topic" went on as soc
as saw he was ready to listen to III
, my excuse is that came upon n u
tie thing that same night which ha'
{ not thought of sufficient importance
| mention to any one else, but which
: may interest you to hear about"
| Here l took from a book ! held
, piece of blottlng paper, 1t was viii
! on one side and blue on the other, ri
: white side | had thickly chalko
t though this was not apparent Layil
{ down this piece Of blottlng pap,
chalked side NJ, on the end Of a lar