The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-12-20


Mason's heavy tread along the pass.
and across the kitchen. He clinehe
the back of chair in the effort K
calm himself by forcible means Then
be heard the unbolting of the door and
the telegraph messengers prompt an
nouneement:
Phillip Arson, ESQ.,
Mason came TO him carrying the TEL
egram.
held. This time he was prostra ted.
He could scarcely open the f1imsy en-
velope.
Abingdon counsels caution. Says there
3 some mistake. Much love.
EVELYN.
That was all, but it was a good deal.
Grenier looked up with lackluster
eyes. He was almost fainting.
"Send him away" he murmurea
''There is nothing to he done. In the
morning"
Mason saw that his ally was neariy
exhausted by the reaction. He grin
ned and cursed,
'Of all the chicken hearted
But he went and dismissed the boy
Grenier threw himself at full length
On a sofa.
whats up now?" demanded Mason,
finding him prone.
wait just a little while-untl my
heart stops galloping That confound-
I'd knock IT Jared my spine"
"Take some more brandy"
How can I? 1t is impossible.
haven't got an OK head, like YOU
Mason placed the lamp on a central
table. Tts rays fell on Philips hat
Something in It's appearance caught
the mans eye. He picked up the hat
and examined 1t critically.
"Do you know" he said, after 81
lence broken only by Grenier's deep
breathing. II fancy | didn't kill him,
! after ALL"
"Not-kIl him? Why-he was dead
IN that chair-for an hour"
perhaps | hit hard enough, but
! this hat must have taken some of it,
When you were busy. / thought his
chest heaved slightly And just now
when carried him outside he seemed
to move"
Rot
1T may be struck very hard"
Grener sat up.
Even If YOU are RIGHT" he mufter-
ca. III does NOT matter. He fell .5ba
feet. The fall alone would kill him.
And If he is drowned and the hodv +
picked up 1t is better so. Don't Eou
see? Even If he were recognized he
would be drowned, not--not We'll.
hts death would be due to natural
causes"
He could not bring himself to say
murdered = an ugly word.
''If you were not such milksop,
there would be no fear of his being
recognized
But Grenier laughed hollow and
unconvincing laugh. Nevertheless II
was sign of recovery.
"What nonsense we are talking! A
g2Eed 6o aoInelqe fNeoatd l tfe s N2E}n
surely! Philip Arson is gayly gaddnc
about England on his private affairs
Where is Green? Hunter, go and tell |
Green to bring my traps here instantly. !
wish him to return TO town on an
urgent Grand"
There was CLINT of admiration IN I
Mason's eyes Here was one with An
sons face, wearing Ansons clothes and |
addressing him in Anson's voice.
That's better he chucked. you're /
clever when your head is clear"
Nov be off for Green. You know
what to say"
you viii be alone. viii you be
afraid?"
The sheer was the last stimulant
Grenier needed.
eff you were called on to stand IN
Philip Ansons boots during the next
week or ten days, my good friend,
he quietly retorted, you would be
afraid sixty times in every hour. Your
Job has nearly ended; mine has barely
commenced Now leave me-"
Nevertheless he quilted that cham
Der of death carrying with him all that
he needed and hurrying over the task
while he could yet hear the dogcart
rafting down the hill.
He commenced with an inventory of
Philips pockets
His eyes sparkied at the sight Of
web filled pocketbook, with hundred
pounds In. notes stuffed therein, cards.
a small collection Of letters, and, other
edds and ends. Among Philips books
was Evelyns hurried note OF that
and, on lit a peneiledL. meme.
randum:
Sharpe left for Davonshtre yesterday,
Lady NJ wrote from Yorkshire.
That was a neat stroke" thought
0rsnier, with q SMILE when he smiled
be least resembled Philip. Being q
man of affairs, Anson promptly Went q
10 the Moriands' solicitors. I was sure !
pf 1t. wonder how Jimmie arranged
matters with sharpe. viii know to.
morrow at York"
A checkbook In another pocket added /
10 his Joy. I
THE last rock out OF my pathg' he \
|