Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-14

Gordon Sheldon swung himself down the
stems of the Pullman and cast a searching
glance about the station platform. Besides
one or two strangers seeking friends on
the incoming train, there was only the
usual group of station loungers, who SEEM
ed 10 eye him more curiously than even
his six months absence from town war
ranted Elizabeth was nowhere in sight
For a moment he stood there undecided,
then old Gailbraith, the statlonmaster
stepped up to him. Il wish you'd come into
the office a moment, Mr.. Sheldon" he said
quietly. II guess you amt heard the news;
it's better told IN there"
Nothing the matter with Miss Melden
is there?' he demanded as he followed
the old man across the station platform.
Not to her. said Gailbraith '1eastwise
she amt hurt In body. though I'm sure
she'd rather 1t had happened to her.
They had reached the door of the tiny Of
fee and after moments fumbling with
the key, the old man threw the door open
and led the way in. Sheldon grasped him
by the shoulder.
Let me know the worst at once. ne
cried. as the other shut the door, Tell
me, what Is the matter?"
Ned Meiden was convicted of murder in
the first degree this morning" was the an
swer Miss Elizabeth tainted and I guess
she isn't able to send anybody for you.
She was clean beat"
For a moment Sheldons face went white
From his earliest boyhood Ned Melden had
been his chum. 1t was with an effort that
he collected himself; but when he spoke
IL was quietly.
Tell me all you know" he commanded.
1T will save his sister that much"
Gailbraith pushed a chair toward him
and mechanically he sank into the seat
Gailbraith took the well-worn revolving
chair at the tiny desk and swung about in
it, facing Sheldon.
John Crostic was found dead in bed
three months ago he said. His throat
was cut from ear to ear and While there
wasn't any real clue, they found lot of
finger prints on the sheet and the bed and
some chaps from the city come up and
showed how there wasn't anybody what
had a thumb like that but Ned Medlen.
The jury sorter believed that there had
been some mistake somewhere, but 1t was
shown that Ned and the old man had had
a fight OF some sort; not with fists. you
know. just loud talking, and the judge
sorter told the jury that they'd just have
TO say as how Ned did it
And he was sentenced this morning"
unused Sheldon, land all the time l was
away l might have been helping him"
"'Taip't too late" comforted Galbraith.
They're going to have another trial"
Sheldon shook the old mans hand and
left the narrow Enclosure He felt that he
must see Elizabeth as soon as possible. He
had no home ties and he turned at once to
her He mounted the short flight of steps
To the Meldens' front door.
Hannah. the faithful old nurse, cautiously
opened the door on the chain, but when she
saw that 1t was Sheldon and not one of
the city reporters she FASTENED to fling the
door wide open. She motioned with her
hand toward the parlor and Sheldon passed
in.
For a moment he could make out nothing
in the darkened room, then he became
aware of the huddled little figure on the
divan. He went toward the corner.
Bessie" he called softly.
With a cry the girl sprang to her feet
and threw her arms about him.
ooh. Gordon she sobbed, II was afraid
you would come too late"
why didn't you cable me?' he demand
ed. II could have come as soon as this
happened"
I'VE did, she sobbed. I'VE cabled and
wrote again and again
at was all the fault of the service" he
cried. "Out there on the west coast COM