Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-01-29


reached their ears. Then like a bolt
from the blue rang out the words.
''Charoner caught in Chicago.'
They've caught him. the maid al
most shrieked. pushing Stevens VIC
Iently away from her. and. starting In
obedience TO her mistress commands.
she added sympathetically;
Il hope she hasn't heard
And as fortune would have il Mrs.
Challoner had not heard. but went on
20 inform the maid that she was going
10 her room TO lie down.
On reaching her room. however. Mrs.
Challoner abandoned her intention TO
lie down. Apparently calm and col
lected. she took seat near the light
and started mentally to place her house
once more In order. Item after item
she checked OF from her memorandum
upon her household pad.
There was an almost unheard tinkle
OF an altogether unseen bell. and be
fore its sound died away Stevens had
gone to answer.
What is it," asked Mrs. Challoner
when she summoned Foster. Il don't
want 20 see anybody. I can't see any
body, WON'T. she ended almost hys-
terieally. and. gathering her trailing
skirts IN her hands. she ded TO her
room
But no sooner had she reached the
door than Shirley Bloodgood followed
on her heels
II just simply couldn't stay away
frcm you any longer. Miriam" she de-
clared. II lnow YOU don't want me
here. but l @ nj leave you"
Miriam CO Homer sank weakly az a
table. Final she leaned toward her
visitor ana sed. world Of pathos in
the question
Isis the any news outsider
Shirley hes tated impercepdbly.
None. u haven't seen the papers
No. there's "a thing new"
Mrs Chall' 1er threw her arms about
the girl.
shirley. Shirley, I'd have gene mad,
I think, II you hadn't conner she cried
aud fell 10 sObbing. but after a mo.
mcnt she Strengthened up again. There
was defiant look I'm hcr face now. a
tremor 10 the voice that said: ~ don't
care what he's done. want Israrie to
come back. DO you understand? L
want him back want him."
shirley Bloodgood bit hcr lips.
II know, I know. Miriam-I do un-
derstaud"-
con. but you can't understand" she
persisted. you haven't husband
and you don't know"
Yes yes Miriam. know" were
the only words that rose TO the girls
lips % comfort her. for at that mo-
meut the faint sound OF the insistent
doorbcli broke On upon them.
Mrs. Chalioncr's slight frame shook
with sudden agitation as she exciaim-
ed:
THAT doorbcn will drive me crazyr'
And. almost Instantly recovering her
composure. she gasped.
III 90 should Doe Laurier
The girl glanced nc the smoldering
Gre iu tine CRATE. where 10 her excited
fancy FOO AN their hidcousness rose be-
fore her tire headlines she had read In
the evening papers. "Challouer Caught
I'm Chicacor
How are we going 10 break the
ncws to hcrT' sighed shirley rs she
quickly Left the room Just outside OF
the door she encountered stevens. and,
quickly placing her ginger on her lips.
She motionod him 20 be silent. When
they were well out OF hearing he an
nounccd lu q confidential tone:
mir. Murcatroyd. Miss Bloodgood."
Mr. Murgauoyd. William Murga-
troydt What does he want, StevensT"
She was plainly excited
"Sh-h-h"' warned Stevens gently.
Hes the prosecutor Of the pleas"
"Oh. then It Is Mr.. William Murga-
troyd. But what does he wantT'
Stevens shook his head. The next
moment Shirley Bioodgood had enter
cd the Ora wing room and stood gazing
into the face Of William Murgatroyd.
shirley Bloodgoodr' The name fen
increduiously from his lips. You
heref"
Shirley held out her hand.
And you-whar are you doing
here?'' she asked quickly. Il didn't
know that YOU were n friend OF the
family"
Tail. well built. with a smooth shaw
en- face, a square chin and nose that
stood well ont into the air. Murgatroyd
was man who appeared TO be with
out enthusiasm; but. although sharp
and businesslike. his manner was easy.
Turning TO Shirley. he came TO the
point at once.
II want TO see Mrs. Challoner." he
announced. But I'm glad you're here.
FOR / don't know her very well. and
You can't very well see her now"
Shirley interrupted. shaking her head.
she's frightfully unstrung. She's ill.
You know it's almost three weeks now
since Laurie first went away. and
Il know" he broke In just bit i'm
patiently.
"WhatT' Shirley gasped, the truth at
last dawning upon her. you don't
mean 70 say that you're here min
your official capacltyT
MurgatrOyd smiled grimly.
It's the only capacity In which I'm
likely 10 be here. Shirley" he remind
ed her.
But" she protested. Il thought they