The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-02-01

eu uOWn 10 steady tall OF snow.
Had its mission been 10 serve as
blanket TO this crime by wiping out
from the old snow all telltale foot
steps and such other records as sim
plify cases of this kind for the detec-
tives it could not have happened more
apropos TO the event. While this filed
me with relief in one way. II added
10 my care in another. for the storm
which could accomplish so much in so
short a time was a bitter one for
young girl to meet. and Carmel must
have met IL at its worst in her lone
some struggle homeward.
The door behind me opened. and
turned TO face DR.. Perry. once n prac.
ticing physician and my fathers init
mate friend. now a county official of
no ordinary intelligence and. what was
better, OF no ordinary feeling.
His attachment to my father had
not descended to me. and for the mo-
ment he treated me like n stranger.
IL am the coroner of this district"
said he. 81 have left my bed TO have
n few words with you and learn IL
your detention here is warranted.
They have told me what you had TO
say In explanation of your presence
here where a crime OF some nature
has taken place. But I should like TO
hear the story from your own lips.
You have been intending TO marry
Miss Cumberland"
"Yes." / looked the man directly in
the eye. "Our wedding day was set"
"Did you love her? Pardon me. II
I am to be Of any benefit TO you mt
this crisis / must strike mt the root of
things. II you do not wish to answer
say so. Mr.. Ranelagh."
81 do wish" This was n lie. but
what was / to do. knowing how dan
gerous it would be for Carmel TO have
IL publicly known where my affections
were really conferred? 81 am in no
position to conceal anything from you
/ did love Miss Cumberland. We have
been engaged for a year"
II see, and she returned your lover"
Sincerely" Was the room light
enough to reveal my guilty flush? She
had loved me only too well. too jeal-
ously, too absorbingly for her happi-
ness or mine
"And the sister,"
1t was gently but gravely put and
instantly i knew that our secret was
out, however safe we had considered
1t. This man was cognizant of it. and
if he, why not others? Why not the
whole town? made my reply in these
words:
"Her sister is her sister. | hardly
think that either of us would be ant
TO forget that. Have you heard other.
wise, sir"
He was prepared for equivocation.
possibly for denial. but not for attack.
His manner changed ard showed dis
trust, and l saw that | had lost rather
than N lie by this venturous move.
as ) your writing" he suddenly
asked, showing me n morsel Of paper
which he had drawn from his vest
pocket.
l looked and felt that | now under
stood what the pines had been trying
to tell me for the last few hours. That
scrap of writing had not
been destroyed. 1t existed for her and
my undoing. But Carmel was no fool
even il she had wild and demoniacal
This could not be my note
TO her-that fatal note which would !
make all denial OF our mutual passion !
as It your writing?" my watchful
Inquisitor repeated
j looked again. The scrap was small. |
pr than my note had been when II |
eft my hands. lie It were the same |
then some of the words were gone. |
We're they the first ones or the last7 |
It would make difference in the read. /
ng or, rather. in the conclusions to |
De drawn from what remained. If only
he mist would clear from before my
Eyes or he would hold the slip of paper
nearer. The room was very dark. The
the
as it your writingY" Coroner Perry
lsked for the third time.
There was no denying II. My writ.
ng was peculiar and quite unmistak.
Ibe. should gain nothing by saying
10.
1T looks like It." l admitted reluc-
antly, but l cannot be sure I'm this
light. May ask what this bit of pa
,er is and where you found it,"
'Its contents | think you know. Al
or the last question. | think you can
Inswer that also IL you will" Say.
ng which he quietly replaced the scrap
4 paper In his pocketbook.
l followed the action with my eyes.
caught fresh glimpse of darkened
dge and realized the cause of the faint
dor which had hitherto experienced
Without being conscious OF II. The
crap had been plucked out of the
Kinney. She had tried 10 burn It.
emembered the FIRE and the smolder-
ng bits OF paper which crumbled at
az touch And this one--this. the most
the only important one OF
hem all--had flown. half scorched, up
he chimney and chung there within
asy reach.
The whole incident was plain TO me.
nd could even fix upon the moment
rhcn HeXford or Clarke discovered
his invaluable bit OF evidence. 1t was
nst before ! burst in upon them from
he ballroom. and It was the undoubt-
A ,cgoSfnn nf tho rama rk \ than ovar. |