The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-02-08

BY W. CRAWFORD SHERLOCK
lcoDyright. isa, by DaIly story Pub. co1


drawn curtains and speculating 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 thousand tongues and the
tread Of host of feet would not have
disturbed the slumber Of Edward Dal-
rymple.
BY pistol wound, inflicted by his
own hand,7 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. TIE 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, MISUNDERSTANDING
man, who bore a strong family resem-
blance to the dead master of the
house.
rs Mrs Dalrymple in?" inquired the
visitor, then, not waiting for reply
continued: Tell her wish to see her
few moments"
Az 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.
I know it all, Ned" he murmared,
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 u
the broad stairs and entered the \
brary.
His brothers wife arose to sreet
him as he stood before the open CRATE
the reflection Of the blush flames
upon her face, she looked pale anC
haggard As he gazed upon her, VIII
liam Dalrymple wondered how biz
brother had found this woman sC
attractive. To him. she was beau
tiful but repellant.
What do you wish with me, viii
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 Isl | wisl
my brothers funeral to take plac'
from my fathers home. His body vii
have to be removed from here"
"That is impossible" returned Mrs
DalrympIe, haughtily. My husban,
shall be buried from his own home
and from no other place"
You know that my mother will not
under any circumstances, enter
house Of which you are mistress?"
"Then she viii have to go to tn
cemetery if she wishes to attend.
will not agree to such plan to salts
fy the caprice Of an old woman"
Her tone was defiant, even insolen
and Dalrymple flushed holly at he
! words. With a strong effort, he col
troiled himself and continued;
have made a request and you hay
= refused to grant it. now deman
that my brothers body be taken froi
this house and buried from my 4
theirs home. Be careful how you O
pose me-"
You dare to threaten a defenselel
woman who is mourning her husband
untimely end. do you? l have a goC
mind to ring the bell and have yc
elected from the house"
DO so if you wish" returned Di
rymple, carelessly, but consider Il
consequences before you act. tt
servants would not eject me in Il
FIRST place. They know me, and, 81
nidcantly, they know you. The
such a step would lead to very u
pleasant results SO far as you are CO
csned.
you speak in enigmas. Be mo
g. explicit; ! don't understand yot
Of Yet the flush that had crept into h
st pale cheeks and the frightened lo
ly that had stolen into her dark ey
10 told him that she knew more tn
she would admit
ot 4 wish to speak about the mann
IS of my brothers death, continued b
is rymplc, eyelng his brothers. wido
le keenly.
to There is nothing to tell she
IN terrupted, hurriedly. You know
le as you were present when the G
lg oner came. There is nothing more
at q know that you told the coror
he .hot NV hrothar came bor,. 49,. .