Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-28
MEREDITH NCHOL son

had not been treated. right: Wayne had
felt that from the beginning. and for
Jeans sake he had meant to effect some
adjustment with the old man. but Greg
ory's presence in the house created
new situation. Jeans letter was in his
pocket, asking him to see that no harm
came to her grandfather. 1t was his first
commission from her hand and the
thought of this sent him on to the door.
Gregory was not sparing Of vituperation:
he heaped harsh Saxon epithets upon
Col. Craighill. who roared back at him
angrily.
Get out of my house! You had no
right to come here with your preposter-
GUS claim; told you my lawyer would
attend to you!"
/ You didn't send me to your lawyer
when you wanted my property, you lying
hypocrite. And I'm going to publish you
to the world now for what you are
There's no bigger scoundrel in the state
of Pennsylvania than you; but now"
There was a dull sound as Of a blow
struck and a heavy fall as Wayne flung
back the curtains. Col. Craighill stood
there, gazing down at old man Gregory,
who lay upon his side. very still. Col.
Craighilfs arm was extended. his body
pitched slightly forward, as though pal
sled at the moment the blow had been
struck. He turned white face toward
Wayne. who sprang into the room. with
Mrs: Craighill close behind.
Wayne Strengthened the crumpled fig.
brought water and brandy from the din
ing room. The two bent over the fallen
man. whose breath came in hard gasps.
His eyes opened and shut several times
and he tried to speak: then his muscles
relaxed and he lay still. The marks Of
death Were on him. Wayne and Mrs.
Craighill exchanged glance. She was
perfectly cool and said, calmly:
1T looks bad. Shall 1 call doctor?"
wait moment"
WaVra turned his father Whn had
sunk into a chair and was covering
| there, his eyes staring at the silent, in
ert figure stretched out on the floor. He
knelt and put his head to Gregory 8
He's dead. father" said Wayne,
quietly.
"Oh, God. he can't be dead! My blow
could never have killed him.
There's no pulse-it's all over. Wed
better think about this pretty hard for a
minute. 1t will be too late when the
doctor comes and the servants find out.
We must know what story you want told
about it,
Mrs. Craighill still crouched by the old
man. and she put her hand to his heart
now and satisfied herself that it had
ceased to beat. She remained where she
| was. while Wayne stepped to the door
! way and flung the curtains together.
You struck him and he is dead: what
are we to do about it?'' he demanded
Of his father.
why. it isn't possible. Wayne!" cried
Col. Craighill. 1T was more in the way
of pushing him from the room than a
blow: it may have been in the breast
perhaps over his heart; I can't remem-
Der, but it couldn't have killed hints
faint-he will come around again all
right. Try the brandy. Addie. If We
He was pitiful in his agitation and
kept twitching at his collar and wiring
ing his hands.
"The man is Dead" said Mrs. Craighill.
I'VE must have the doctor: but Wayne
is right-before he comes you must know
what you are going to say to him: the
matter will be reported; we must know
what to say
ut was heart disease: the blow could
never have killed him." muttered Col.
Wayne knelt again by the quiet figure
and laid his cdr to the pulseless heart.
Mrs. Craighill watched him as he rose,
waiting for him to tell her to call the
doctor. It was the high moment In all
"The situation is just this. father,
and Wayne's calmness seemed to reas-
sure Col. Craighill.
Eyes. yes!" he faltered.
"a man has died here in your house.
You admit you struck him: and no mat
ter whether death resulted from excite
ment or from your blow, the thing is
ugly. A doctor must be called. Addie.
go and telephone Tor Or. SlIVan, IOf
Gardner, too. and for Wynn-try their
houses. Silvan is nearest; call him last.
There's no time for quibbling-what are
we going to tell them when they come.
and the coroner and the police? It's for
you to say
"Oh, my God. Wayne. what am 1 to
do? I tell you 1 didn't kill him; I
couldn't have killed him. it was more
why, Wayne. you know
1.-The mans dead In your house, and
you confess that you struck him. What
are we going to say about it,
Mrs. Craighill could be heard in the
telephone room calling the doctors. Col.
Craighill paced the floor nervously. He
whirled round. his face twitching with
excitement, and caught Wayne by the
shoulder.
Clo be continued tomorrow.)