Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1906-05-03
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turned the parlor maid, promptly. IF
ithad beenme, andme a married woman,
ia have knocked him down; but she
only seemed to get on her guard to
keep him just so far, and no-nearer.
But then, you know, she says she amt
married, and suppose IL she's got that
notion, 1t makes difference. And ah,
Richardl' she says, when l think Of
what we two have lost because Of our
own miserable folly'-I can swear to
them words miserable folly--says she,
when think Of It almost go mad.
have punished myself by q year Of
toTmeAt, and a wasted, ruined life, and
you And then she covered her face
with her hands and began TO cry"
What! Marion Stackhousel Cry!
Impossible!" exclaimed the detective.
"Cryl" echoed the parlor maid. And
why not? I've seen the tears come into
her eyes for very spite. Oh, guess
you don't know that woman. She can
cuddle up and be as cunning as a kit
ten, II she wants to. Well, she was very
melancholy then, and sat down and
cried for a long time, and he tried to
console her, and she kept saying 1t was
useless, to leave her alone to have
pity on her'-and that sort. And says
he; But what's the harm, Marion, after
/ all, since you know the truth and /
know It, why can't we go long way
from here and be happy YETI But she
wouldn't hear to 1t. No., she says,
there's no happiness for me anywhere
and I guess that's true enough, too,
Tor she's not the kind that would ever
be happy, If she had the run Of every
thing. Oh she says, you don't know
me, Richard Fetridge, or you'd repulse
me, instead of sitting beside me-"
did she say that? Are you sureT"
broke in Thomas.
THAT, or something awfully near 1t,
sir. I'm not taking my oath to every
word; but I'll take my chances on get
ting the sense out of a thing once l
hear it good. know you, Marion,
says he, very we'll. You're reckless,
and impulsive, and proud, but you mean
to do right. You have carried your
pride before this to the brink of ruin
ing your own happiness and making a
wreck of my life, but I'll answer fol-
your meaning to do your duty And
she says to him: What you call
my pride, Richard Fetridge, is the evil
in me. Do you know, sometimes be-
lieve my mother and there she
stopped and said: AT times feel as
IL was possessed of the devil And l
| thought to myself, others in your serv-
ice have thought so besides you, young
lady. But the way she said it, can
tell you, gentlemen, half beneath her
breath, was enough to give one the
creeps. 1t even seemed to scare him
for the minute. And then he tried
to cheer her up, and she began to go on
about her sister Stella, and to say she
believed she'd been the death Of that
girl And right in the middle of 1t
she had regular Mysteries, and she just
sat on the sofa and wrung her hands
and screams out: ooh, I'm wicked!
wicked! wicked; I'd give my life to
undo what have donel Oh, will moth
ing come to my relief? Oh, I'm dying
by inches.'"
Thomas and Lamm exchanged puzzled
and startled glances.
There is no question" said the de-
tective, In a low voice, that Marion
accused herself in such language?"
mot the faintest," said Miss White,
positively. THAT part of it is quite
certain. She cried it out so loud it's
a wonder folk IN the street didn't hear
her. And then he grasps her hand
and says: Come, Marion; you must
no longer keep me in the dark You
must tell me everything-even If 1t does
criminate him whom the world calls your
husband
mol" interrupted both men at once,
He didn't say that, did he?"
He used them words" said Miss
White, with positiveness that set at
defiance both doubt and syntax. "And
he was very particular about it, too. ]
can tell you, had both my ears wide
open about that time. And she didn't
seem to hear him, but kept right on.
And, oh! Richard she said, do you
suppose anything any provocation, the
worst treatment you can imagine a
person to have received at another per-
sons hands, would justify a mean and
-cowardly crime?' And with that he
starts away from her, and she shrieks
out: oh, for PHYS sake, don't cast me
on am tortured beyond bearing!'
Confess he says, and she threw her
arms right around his neck and whis-
perd in his ear. And just at that mo-
ment l was nearly frightened to death
by hearing the latch lock. knew If
stayed I'd be caught the next min
ute, and 80 ran. It was Miss Har-
wood, and was none too soon, either,
for she lit the hall"
"Confound Miss HarwOod!' said the
detective, heartily. She has spoiled
everything for u"
yes, and for them, too" said the
parlor maid. For Mr.. Fetridge did not
stay i've minutes after she came"
did you see him when he went? How
did he act?" Lamm FASTENED to ask,
Just as usual; only q bit excited.