The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-06-29

impelled her 10 this-awfu deed. Yet
little did suspect whittier my efforts
20 find why Louise's sister had shot
herself would lead me. Little did
imagine In what web OF criminal
cunning. OF battling crime. OF hidden
evil, would find myself.
AS strove 70 soothe Louise's agi-
tation the doctor appeared at the door
way and imperiously beckoned me. l
tried 10 persuade Louise 10 walt out
side. but she chung TO me like a
frightened child and insisted on ac-
companying me into the room.
Here" said the doctor in the curt
tones OF authority. II want you TO
help me carry her into quieter place
before / operate"
This way" said Louise, recovering
herself as soon as she saw the oppor-
tunity 10 be useful. Into my rooms.
They are off the street and much quiz
eter."
| saw the look with which she tried
10 read the doctors face and put the
question she dared not ask
'WIll she live?
Doctor Wilcox shook his head
gravely.
"She Is just alive and that is all.
! can not tell yet whether or not we
can save her. There must be abso-
lutte quiet. l am going TO probe for
the bullet and see what course It has
/ taken. Please telephone at once for
these two men. They are my hospi-
tai aides. AS soon as they arrive
will operate"
AS quickly as we had laid the sense
less girl on Louise's bed, | telephoned
for Doctor Wilcoxs assistants, and
was fortunate in being able TO reach
both Immediately. Louise and the
maids meanwhile were kept busy by
the doctor preparing for the operation,
so 1t fell to my lot 10 break the news
TO General Parrish when he arrived.
Louise had merely told him over the
telephone that Katharine had met
with an accident. so he entered the
house almost wholly unprepared for
the shock my news gave him.
had before seen strong men In
grief, but never had witnessed such
a wave OF heartrending agony as
swept over the general. He came into
his home erect. military, slightly per-
turbed, but still in manner and bear.
ing the vigorous old soldier, fully
master OF his emotions. My words
that told him as gently as WIGS pos
sible what had happened seemed TO
sap all his vitality His face became
II.
tears coursed down his cheeks, his
shoulders bent under the weight OF
his grief and he tottered as II about
10 fall.
While he was fond and proud Of
both his daughters, the elder had al
ways been his favorite. AS is often
the case with fathers who have no
son, Katharine had been both son and
daughter TO him. Since her mother
death some years ago she had been
practically head OF the household. IL
was on her that be relied for every
thing. and II was with her that he
discussed all his business affairs. Such
association between them naturally
had strengthened the bonds into far
more than the ordinary father-and
daughter affection.
MY poor little girl--Katharine-my
little Katharine" he moaned In tones
of agony that wrung my heart for
him.
His first thought was TO 30 TO her
but the doctor forbade his presence
in the room. ] persuaded him TO sc
TO his own apartments, leaving him In
the hands of his valet and promising
20 keep him informed as TO Katha
rine's condition.
Deeply as | felt for him, II was oil
Louise thought most. wanted to b,
with her constantly, TO give her the
succor of my presence. As soon as
Doctor Wilcoxs assistants arrived
bringing with them nurse Louise
and / were both banished from The
room. Gently | drew her into a littl'
sittlng-room, where. with the dooi
ajar. we waited to see IL our aid NIGH
be needed. fearless sorrow now
weighed heavily oil her.
Tell me everything" / said. with
my arm about her. why did she do
it?"
Il don't know" she cried out. +"
can't understand il at all! There II
some mystery, some terrible myster!
that ] cannot fathom."
when did YOU see your sister last?
1--WE had luncheon together. Sh'
was sweet and kind, as she Away
was, but | could see that something
was worrying her We We're to hav,
gone shopping together this afternoon
but she told me that she had an er
rand that would make IL impossible
for her to 90 with me. | had re
ceived your note, so ! told her that 1
would suit me much better to put thu
shopping of until tomorrow. Righ
after luncheon she went out-where,
do not know. She did not use the ca
or call taxi All know is that sh'
was gone about two hours. When sh'
Q emma in I was arranging the nOWar