The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-12-01
CHAPTER xxvIIl.-continu.d

CHAPTER xxvlIl.-continued
Married" she said finally. in a
small voice. why, don't think il IA
possible. is It? Il was on nv wav
to Baltimore to marry him myself,
when the wreck came"
But you said you don't care for
HIM" I 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 accented 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-disdainful consent to
make possible the hackneyed com
promising situation by marrying the
rascal, and then-of his disappearance
from the train. 1t was so terrible to
her, such Heayen-sent relief to me.
m spite OF my rage against Sullivan,
mat laughed aloud. At which she
looked at me over the handkerchief
i know it's funny" she said, with
a catch in her breath. when 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
ny. Il won't be responsible if you
keep on crying like that. l may for
get that l have capital charge hang
ing over my head, and that l may be
arrested at any moment"
THAT brought her out of the hand
kerchief at once. 81 meant to be so
helpful" she said, and I've thought
OF nothing but myself! There were
some things l meant to tell you. If
Jennie was-what you say, then l I'M
aerstand why she came to me just be-
lore | left. She had been packing
my things and she must have seen
what condition was in, for she came
aver to me when l was getting my
wraps on, to leave, and said, Don't
10 1t, Miss West, beg you won't do
IL you'll be sorry ever after And
Mst then Mrs. Curtis came in and
Jennie slipped out"
That was all?"
No. AS we went through the sta
aon 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
ney talked together He was white
Win either fear or anger don't
Know which. Then, when we boarded
the train, woman in black, with,
seautlful hair, who was standing on
she car platform, touched him on the
arm and then drew back. He looked
~ her and glanced away again, but
sne reeled as If he had struck her"
Then what?" The situation was
growing clearer.
Mrs. Curtis and l had the drawing
room. had dreadful night, just
1eeplng little now and then. l
"a" MS cigarette case in your hand.
: mad given it to him. You wore his
1othes. The murder was discovered
ahd you were accused of 1t! What
toald | do? And then, afterward,
shen saw him asleep at the farm
soase, Il was panic-stricken. l
4UeRed him in and ran. didn't know
man"
some one was calling Alison
through megaphone, from the veran-
- 1t sounded like Sam. Alice"
= called. Alice! I'm going to have
e anchovies on toast! All-ee!"
Neither of US heard.
WONDER" l reflected, IF you
ouia be willing to repeat a part of
vat story-just from the telegram on
couple of detectives. say on
sunday If you would tell that. and
NJ nv the end of your necklace got into
Nc sealskin bag"
! my necklacer" she repeated. But
EAR" PieAe" - up "
u, Aiee!" sari again. ct see you
Nn there. I'M making a julep!" |