The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1907-03-21

A throng of men and women passed
and Tepassed the home of Edward
Dalrymple, glancipg curiously at the
drawn curtains and specializing about
the cause of the sudden death of the
master. Within the house, the serv-
ants tiptoed noiselessly along the
broad halls, whispering to each other
as If afraid that motionless figure
in the parlor might be disturbed by
any unseemly' noise. Yet the clat-
ter of a thousand tongues and the
tread of host of feet would not have
disturbed the slumber of Edward Dali
rymple.
by pistol wound, inflicted by his
own hand" the coroner had decided,
and the world wondered why man
of such great wealth, of such re-
nowned lineage, endowed with an in
tellect superior to that of most men
and popular with all classes from the
lowliest to the most exalted, should
have committed such an act at time
when honors were ready to be thrust
upon him and the ambition of his
life was within his grasp. The won
der deepened as the people remem-
bered that the sound of his marriage
bells had scarcely died away when
the news of his tragic death was re-
ported.
The electric bell tinkled softly, and
a servant noiselessly opened the door,
admitting a tall, distinguished-lookin
man, who bore a strong family resem-
blance to the dead master of the
house.
is Mrs. Dalrymple in?' inquired the
visitor then, nor waiting for reply,
continued: Tell her l wish to see her
a few moments"
AS the servant went to deliver the
message, William Dalrymple stepped
into the parlor and stood beside the
body of his brother. Long and earn
estly he gazed into the pale face of
the sharer of his childhood joys, the
companion of his youth and the conf
dante and close friend of his manhood.
The tears, unbidden, dimmed his eyes,
and his lips quivered with suppressed
pain. Bending down, he pressed his
lips to the forehead of his brother.
4 know it all, Ned" he murmured.
softly, "and / will try to do what
you would have me do, but it is
against my own desires" AS he re-
turned to the hall, the servant told
him that Mrs. Dalrymple would re-
ceive him, and he walked slowly up
the broad stairs and entered the Ii
brary.
His brothers wife arose to greet
him as he stood before the open CRATE,
the reflection of the blush flames
upon her face, she looked pale and
haggard AS he gazed upon her. Will
liam Dalrymple wondered how his
brother had found this woman so
attractive. To him. she was beau
tiful but repellant.
What do you wish with me, Will
liam?" inquired Mrs. Dalrymple, sink
ing into an easy chair and surveying
her brother-in-law curiously.
There are several matters that |
wish to speak about" replied William
Dalrymple, slowly The first is: / wish
my brothers funeral to take place
from my fathers home. His body will
have to be removed from here"
That is impossible" returned Mrs.
Dalrymple, haughtily. MY husband
shall be buried from his own home,
and from nc other place"
You know that my mother will not,
under any circumstances, enter a
house of which you are mistress?"
Then she will have to go to the
cemetery if she wishes to attend.
will not agree to such a plan to salts
fly the caprice of an old woman"
Her tone was defiant, even insolent,
and Dalrymple flushed hotly at her
words. With a strong effort, he con
trolled himself and continued: Il
! have made a request and you have
refused to grant it. | now demand
| that my brothers body be taken from
| this house and buried from my ia.
| thers home. Be careful how you op.
| pose me-"
You dare to threaten a defenseless
| woman who is mourning her husband S
untimely end, do you? j have good
mind to ring the bell and have you
| elected from the house"
do so If you WISH" returned Dal
rymple, carelessly, but consider the
consequences before you act. The
servants would not eject me in the
first place. They know me, and" sig
niflcantly, they know you. Then
such step would lead to very un
pleasant results so far as you are con
cerned."
"You speak in enigmas Be more
explicit; l don't understand you
Yet the flush that had crept into hei
pale cheeks and the frightened lool
| that had stolen into her dark eyes
| told him that she knew more thar
| she would admit.
Il wish TO speak about the manner
of my brothers death" continued Dal
rymple, cycling his brothers widow
\ keenly.
/