The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1907-02-21

Il u
trace of annoyance. That's why
asked them all at once. But you don't
deny that Clifford had been calling on
you and was taken sick up thereT
mo, don't deny It,"
"Did you give him anything to eat or
drinkT
mo"
As she made this reply my memory
dashed at once to the glimpse Of her
that I had had at the window, but
even without the sight of the wine
glass l should have known that she
was not telling the truth.
did he say what seemed to be the
matter with himf"
"Yes; he was faint He thought 1t
was the cigar that he was smoking
He said his lips felt numb"
II thought they looked queer" said
Ford. Here's the cigar" showing us
half of very small one. II found II
In his pocket. He was going to have
1t examined, l suppose. Well. I'll do
that, but it's poisoned sure enough.
Now" be continued, pointing his finger
at the girl ITO whose advantage Is this
mans death-to whose advantageT
II beg your pardon" said !, "Is this
young lady under arrest7"
At this moment hasty hand was
laid upon the knob of the door which
communicated with the shop.
"You can't come in," said the mar
shall, but he was mistaken. The lock
Of the door burst with rattle Of splln-
sers, and Frank Clifford precipitated
himself into the room.
Cant come in, eh|' said he. What
do you think about It now?'
He strobe across to ths little milliner
and, standing beside her, giared ut the
marshal, who had not risen from bis
chair or even paused in earessing his
silky mustache.
"Glad to see you, Mr.. Clifford" said
be, speaking through his hand. Have
Q seat and tell us where you got this
cigar that you gave to your uncle"
Before he could reply the young wo-
man stepped In front Of him. and she
was picture. had always thought
her beautiful, but in somewhat tepld
style. She was quite different crea-
ture now.
"Mr. Clifford-Mr. Duncan Clifford
got that cigar here in this store" she
cried. HE told me So"
The marshal rose and stepped to the
broken door, now guarded on the out
side by some serviceable citizen who
had appointed himself deputy.
"Send Edgeworth In here" said the
marshal. but 1t appeared that the to-
bacconist- -jeweler was not present. No
one knew what had become Of him.
"Ah, he told you sov' said the mar
shal, turning to the milllner and calm
ly resuming the conversation. How
did he happen to do thatT
II don't remember" she answered,
'but If the cigar was poisoned ! know
why. Mr.. Edgeworth has annoyed me
beyond endurance with his attentions
He knew that Mr.. Duncan Clifford
came to see me often. He believed that
l preferred Mr.. Clifford. and he hated
him insanely."
$50 Mr.. Clifford used to come to see
you? Whyf"
'To persuade me to go away" was
the reply. 'He offered me money. He
was trying to separate me from
Frank"
"To give up Frankf" said the mar
shal. "What are you to himY'
II am his wife," she answered, "but
Mr.. Clifford did not know It,"
"And If he had known 1t Frank
might have lost half a million dollars.
l see."
The entrance Of Mr.. Edgeworth in
terrupred this line of questioning.
"Ah, Edgeworth; good evening"" said
the marshal.
Good evening Captain Ford" re-
sponded the tobacconist In deep,
heavy voice that sounded strange from
his narrow chest and thin lips.
when did you sell this cigar to
Duncan CliffordY' asked Ford,
The tobacconist took the half con-
sumed cigar and examined It In the
manner Of an expert.
II never carried these goods" he
said. "It's sort of large tobacco ciga.
rette, sold eight In box-a little tin
box. I think they're called the Mar.
quls."
The marshal turned to Frank.
"Give me your cigar case or what
ever you carry them fn," said he.
"You have no authority" Frank be-
gan.
Haven't II" retorted Ford, drawing
q revolver. "You are under arrest.
Well search you at the station. and
know what we'll And"
"Wait one moment" said Frank,
with more calmness than should have
expected of so excitable man. "
will admit that gave that cigar to my
uncle after dinner and another like II
this evening do not believe that II
Is poisoned. OF course 1t isn't. I had
nothing to do with this crime, II It is
crime, and
'T gave him wine in my ROOM" cried
Esther, panic stricken with fear for
the man she loved. The bottle has
been uncorked, where any one-this
man She finished the sentence By
a wild gesture toward Edgewcrth.
| .r,l,erord ,,,aa III hafer.. vo,, Oava hin
the wine," said the marshal. "You toll
US 80, and you were telling the trutl
too. Sit down, all of you"
Presently man, red faced an
breathless, burst into the room.
"He went home an changed hi