The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-12-28
CHAPTER xxvIIi.-continued.

CHAPTER xxvIIi.-continued.
Married." she said finally. in a
small voice. why. I don't think il is
possible, is it? IL was on my way
to baltimore to marry him myself.
when the wreck came"
But you said you don't care for
HIM" ! protested. my heavy mascu-
line mind unable to jump the gaps in
her story. And then. without the
slightest warning, realized that she
was crying. She shook off my hand
and fumbled for her handkerchief,
and failing to find it. she accepted the
one thrust into her wet fingers
Then. little by little. she told me
from the handkerchief. a sordid story
of motor trip In the mountains with
out Mrs. Curtis. of a lost road and a
broken car. and a rainy night when
they-she and Sullivan. tramped eter-
nally and did not get home And of
Mrs. Curtis. when they got home at
dawn. suddenly grown conventional
and deeply shocked, OF her own
proud. half-disdainfuI consent to
make possible the hackneyed COM
promising situation by marrying the
rascal. and then-of his disappearance
from the train. II was so terrible to
her. such a Heaven-sent relief to me.
In spite of my rage agains. Sullivan.
that I laughed aloud At which she
looked at me over the handkerchief.
Il know it's funny" she said. with
q catch In her breath When l think
that ] nearly married a murderer
and didn't cry for sheer Joy" Then
she buried her face and cried again.
Please don't" protested INSTEAD
lily. Il won't be responsible II you
keep on crying like that. ! may for
get that have a capital charge hang
ing over my head. and that ] may be
arrested at any moment"
That brought her out of the hand
Rerchief at once. Il meant to be SO
helpful" she said, and I've thought
Of nothing but myself! There were
some things I meant to tell you. II
Jennie was-what you say, then ] un-
derstand why she came to me Just be-
fore l left She had been packing
my things and she must have seen
What condition l was in, for she came
over to me wnen I was getting my
wraps on. to leave. and said. Don't
do 1t. Miss West. beg you won't do
it: you'll be sorry ever after And
Just then Mrs. Curtis came In and
Jennie slipped out"
That was all?"
No. As We went through the sta.
ton the telegraph operator gave Har
Mr.. Sullivan. message. He read it
on the platform. and it excited him
terribly. He took his sister aside and
they talked together He was white
with either fear or anger-I don't
know which. Then. when We boarded
the train. a woman in black. with
beautiful hair. who was standing on
the car platform. touched him ON the
arm and then drew back He looked
ut her and glanced away again, but
she reeled as If he had struck her"
Then WHAT" The situation was
growing clearer.
Mrs Curtis and l had the drawing
room. had a dreadful night. just
sleeping a little now and then. |
saw his cigarette case in your hand.
I had given it to him. You wore his
clothes The murder was discovered
and you were accused of it, What
could I do? And then. afterward.
when l saw him asleep at the farm
house, IL was panic-stricken. I
locked him in and ran. I didn't know
why he did it, but-he had killed a
man"
Some one was calling Alison
through a megaphOne. from the veran-
da. II sounded like Sam. Alice. q"
ne called Alice, I'm going to have
some anchovies on toast. Alice"
Neither of US heard
Il wonder" reflected. If you
would be willing TO repeat part OF
chat story-just from the telegram on
to a couple of detectives. say on
Monday. If you would tell that. and
how the end of your necklace got into
the sealskin bag
MY necklace" she repeated But
!t isn't mine picked it up in the
car
Alice" Sam again. Il see you
down there I'm making a julep,
Alison turned and called through
her hands. Coming in a moment.
sam" she said. and rose 1t must b
very late: Sam is home. We would
oefter go back 10 the house.
Don't" ! begged her. "Anchovies
and iuIeps and Sam will go on for
ever. and | have you such a little
time suppose ! am only one OF
iozen or so. but-you are the only girl
n the world. You know I love you.
ion'J you DEAR?
Sam was whistliHs. an Irritating
bird call. over and over. She pursed
lei red lips and answered him in kind
Il Vas more than l could endure