Mexico Missouri message., 1906-01-18

messed did not therefore seem incred-
ible in itself, but the time and cir
cumstanees at and ia which It had oc-
CURED rendered it, In John Lamm's
estimation, of most peculiar and
astounding nature, AZ yet his ideas
we're too Gisorderly and confused to
enable him IN draw logical deductions.
The moment had not yet come for
theories and explanations. He could
only stand sim with bated breath and
rapid pulse and await the outcome of
the strange situation.
When Marion tainted Stella, male
and trembling, and looking very unlike
her smiling and roguish self, as the
photograph had proclaimed her, ran
down to her assistance, and while
Aunt Comfort was Rmbling ailllessly.
wringing her fat hands and rejecting
audibly that she couldn't see why on
earth she wasn't ali eady crazy, she
was making repeated and intellie ent
efforts at restoration. The sprinkIing
Of water, which Stella procured with
out summoning the serN ants, eventual
ly having the effect OF causing the
eyelids, upOu which some of the drops
fell, to unciose, Marion murmured
some incoherent words, arose, and
with her sisters help, staggered to q
chair, where she sat for several min
utes as motionless and as speechless
as If she had been in trance Aunt
Comfort suddenly awakening to her
responsibilities, ran TO fan her with a
book cover, murmuring continuously
soothing and re1ssuring expressions.
Marion did not appear to notice her,
though the detective saw the girls
eyes more than once following her sis
ter's motions in a relentless. question
ing way. Mr.. Lamm hoped for some
conversation which would throw light
on the dramatic charade that had been
enacted IL his presence, but he was
disappointed.
A ring at the dooIbell fell with
startling effect upon the silence NJ the
house. Stella fled precipitately to the
upper regions, while Aunt Comfort,
with her hand on her heart, Stared ap.
prehensively at the door. II was
Marion herself who waved back the
advancing servant with an imperious
gesture and went resolutely to answer
the summons.
BLESS met" Mr.. Lamm exclaimed
within himself. cts my risky
client!"
And behold on the threshold, hat
in hand, bit flushed and embarrassed,
and with an expression of lively solicit
t1de as befitted the occasion, Mr.. Rich
ard Fetridge!
"You come at a sad time, sir" MUIR
INJURED Aunt Comfort, walking aimless-
ly between the door and the stair
case.
81 am very glad you are here, Mr..
Fetridge," Marion said, in collected
tones. eff we ever needed a friend,
it is at this moment"
II need not say with what eager
ness shall avail myself of any op-
portunity to aid you, Mrs. Stack
house," he said. earnestly.
She looked him directly in the eyes.
mot Mrs. Stackhouse, Marion
North"
He made painful effort to appear
unembarrassed, but it was quite evil
dent that he was graveiy alarmed.
"You-you-know-" he stammered.
Everything" she returned, with a
forlorn, bitter accent.
Good heavens!" he calculated. in
ill-concealed alarm "Who told your"
She made no reply in words, but
with a simple gesture indicated the
rortiere at the right. In moment
the two people had disappeared from
view, leaving Aunt Comfort staring
like a petrified figure in a museum
at the drawn curtain. She Was awalI-
ened from ner lethargy by the voice of
Stella calling piteously from above:
oh! Aunt Comfort! Do come here!
Do come here!"
And as the only remaining person.
age in the field of his vision disap-
peared John Lamm, detective, began
to exhibit sundry signs of exaspera-
ton. In vain he strained his listen
ing ears, in vain he ventured to raise
the sash of the window to an impru-
dent degree, Nothing but the vague
Of voices and the occasional
distant sound of sobbing rewarded his
efforts.
ITO be cut off at such a point as
this!" he fumed. 'Td enjoy hanging
the architect who put such a stupid
building together!"
There was nothing for him to do
but to conjecture and wait. The two
people remained in the parlor for near
ly half an hour. At the expiration
Of that time the impatient watcher
saw the portiere disturbed and they
in the hail. Mr. Lamm
eagerly marked their respective APP
Dearances, hoping thereby to construct
some theory of the nature OF their in
Lerview. Marion was very pale, cold, |
determined, collected. Fetridge bore
traces of unwonted agitation. His
lace was flushed; his hand unsteady.
She accompanied him to the door.
He had opened 1t, when he turned
aT..N ~. =