Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-10-10
CHAPTER VII.
A GLIMPSE AT A SKELETON

Godfrey moked for q moment in sill
cnce. The story he had Just heard
needed digestion. 1t shed a new light
upon the problem-a light at the same
time illuminating and confusing-a
light. indeed. which served only to dis
close new depths OF mystery. So Miss
Croydon's story had been true in an
other particular. Her sister had been
cognisant of her errand: she had not
approved Of 1t: she had tried to hold
overriden the weaker n e The elder
woman had tried to shield the younger
one. had even He'd for her-she had
known. then, that the errand vas one
that could not be explained: she. with
her experience of the world. had real
lied. perhaps more strongly than her
sister. Its compromising nature. What
guarded.
Drysdals hitched impatiently in his
chair.
Out with 1t. Jim." he said. Don't try
to soften it, can stand 1t 1 guess.
The only thing l can't stand is this
''f'm not going to soften IT," God
frey assured him. and he rapidly OUT
lined the tragedy Of the evening. while
his companion listened with horrifed
attention. Godfrey watched him as he
sat staring into the fre with haggard
face.
Don't make 1t blacker than it IL.
Jack" he said. at last. Personally. I
don't believe they've got the right man.
but I'm sure Of one thing-Niss Croy-
don had no hand In It,"
"Oh. I know she didn't" Drysdale
burst out. 1T isn't that. Don't you
sect isn't that! But what took her
TO that house? Why should she 60
there alone. at night. to meet q drunken
brute? AnQwNp ma that Tim 6OAPpA~
I don't care a hang for all the rest"
Godfrey's face hardened a. he turned
back to the hre. That was the very
question to which he himself had been
striving vainly all the evening to dnd
an nswer
"Of course. Jack" he said slowly. II
can't tell o just what her whole pur-
pose was. I don't know the secret Of
the papers she hoped to get-it's q fam
lily secret-and none OF our business.
But n things certain-Whatover it 10.
there's no cause for you to worry about
It,"
And why not9"
Why. don't you see. Jack. II Mr..
Delroy knew her sisters GRAND Il could
have been no Questionable one-no vul.
gar intrigue-nothing that would touch
her IN any degrading way-pEobably
nothing that would touch her At eli.
One doesn't coniide things Of that sort
~ oscsSts bbVV 00A oOvlCS o0OUv
them. To b sure. she didn't heed the
advtce-but 1t the very worst. all shes
been guilty Of 10 an tndiocretion. That
I think any mar would b giad 10 for
Drysdale drew q deep breath Of re-
lief.
"0f course" no assented quickly.
And that" continued. 0odfrey earn
estly. 'is al you need to know. / be-
lieve she tells the exact truth when
che says she tried to save ThoHupeon's
life. Therefore. you may 90 back to
her tomorrow without the need OF TX
ing 2 single question Depend upon Il.
shell explain Il all In time. SHOW her
now that you trust hsr-that'e the least
you ean do-.yse. and the most you can
do 70 help her."
II WIN asrssd Drysdels instantly.
low 81 eAasn . great load on my
You hadn't faith enough. WY. ons
needs only to look Il her to - thai
shes above suspicion. I don't think
you quite apprsctats her. MOTT man
wouie D giad 20 gse . woman like
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