Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-12-28
Whispering
Pines

he turned it slowly about until the
label faced them.
On it was written one word, but it
was a word which Invariably carries
alarm with 1t.
That word was poison.
Sweetwater did not return to New
York that night.
II regret to disturb you. Arthur, but
my business is of great Importance
and should be made known to you at
once"
Sullen and unmollifed. the young
man thus addressed eyed apprehen-
sively his fathers old friend, placed
so unfortunately in his regard. and
morosely exclaimed:
"Out with it! I'm a poor hand at
guessing. What has happened now?'
"a ~discovery-a somewhat serious
one, I fear; at least it will force the
police to new action. Your sister may
not have died entirely from strangula-
ton. Other causes may have been at
work.
Nov. what do you mean by that?"
Arthur Cumberland was under his
own roof and in presence Of one who
should have inspired his respect. but
he made no effort to hide the fury
which these words called up. 81
should like to know what deviltry is
in your minds now. Am 1 never to
have peace?"
peace and tragedy do not often run
together" came in the mild tones Of
| his would be friend. "Mr. Ranelagh's
assertion that he found Miss Cumber-
land dead when he approached her
may not be. as so many now believe.
I the reckless denial Of a criminal dis
turbed in his act. 1t may have had a
basis in fact"
81 don't believe it. Nothing will
make me believe it," stormed the
other. jumping up and wildly pacing
the drawing room floor. st is all a
scheme for saving the most popular
man in society. But you haven't told
me your discovery. 1t seems to me
it is a little late to make discoveries
now"
"This was brought about by the
persistence Of Sweetwater. He seems
| to have an instinct for things. He
J was leaning out of the window at the
real of the clubhouse-the window Of
that small room where your sisters
coat was found-and he saw. caught
in the vines beneath. a little bottle,
an apothecary's vial. 1t was labeled
Poison and it came from this very
house."
How do you known that vial came
from this house?"
DR.. Perry looked up. astonished. he
was prepared for the most frantic
ebullitions Of wrath. for violence even.
or for dull, stupid. blank silence. But
this calm. quiet question of fact took
him by surprise. He dropped his anx-
ious look and replied:
1T has been seen on the shelves by
more than one Of your servants. Your
sister kept it with her medicines, and
the druggist with whom you deal re-
members selling it some time ago to
a member of your family"
(Which member? l don't believe
this story; ! don't believe any of
your He was fast verging on VIC
lence now.
"You will have to, Arthur. Facts
are facts. and we cannot go against
them. The person who bought it was
yourself. Perhaps you can recall the
circumstance now"
81 cannot" He did not seem to be
quite master Of himself. 81 don't know
half the things / do: at least, I didn't
use to. But what are you coming to?
Are you going to call it suicide? You
can't, with those marks on her throat
"We're going to carry out our in
~vestigations to the full. We're going
to hold the autopsy, which we didn't
think necessary before. That's why I
am here. Arthur. I thought it your
due to know our intentions in regard
to this matter. If you wish to be pres
ent you have only to say so; if you
do not you may trust me to remem-
Der that she was your fathers daugh-
ter as well as my own highly esteemed
friend"
Shaken to the core. the young man
sat down.
"My duty is here" he said at last.
II cannot leave Carmel"
1.-THE autopsy viii take place tomor-
row. How is Carmel today?"
mo better" The words came with
a shudder. Doctor. I've been a brute
to you. I am a brute! I have misused
my life and have no strength with
which to meet trouble. What you pro.
pose to do with-with Adelaide is hor.
rible to me. I didn't love her much
while she was living, but If I could
have saved her body this last humilia.
ton I would willingly die right here
and now and be done with 1t. Must
this autopsy take placer"
ut must"
"Then tell them to lock up every
bottle the house holds or I cannot an
swer for myself. I should like to drink
and drink till I knew nothing. cared
for nothing, was a mailman or a
beast"
"You will not drink" The coroner's
-.G~u - - 1910 49,