Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-27

| quietly. is there yellow letter in
that case, too? Do you believe there
can be any connection between Mr..
Elser and-and what Katharine did?"
Greatly perturbed, yet trying to con-
vince myself that her attitude was
only girls natural reaction as she
recolIected the events of the evening
before, was just beginning to rehearse
what little we had learned in the
clearinghouse when Davis came run
ning down the stairs.
"Tell me-" he said abruptly to LOU
Use, what color are Mr. Crandalls
eyes?"
"Elue," said Louise, "gray-blue."
"Humph!"
l could see she was as much puzzled
at his question as l had been. but he
offered 10 explanation and made no
comment.
WAS CrandaIl left-handed" he
snapped.
81 don't think So" said Louise after
a minutes thought. 81 never noticed
that he was"
'Humph:" he repeated. his eyes row
ing about the room. Take me in to
see General Parrish"
The young doctor whom Doctor Will
cox had left in charge happened to be
passing through the hall, and stopped
as he heard the request.
1T can do no HARM" he said, in re-
ply 10 Louise's look Of inquiry.
The four OF us--the doctor, Davis.
Louise and myself, in the order named
tiptoed into the generals room. Twas
prepared for great change in him,
but his appearance was really terrify-
ing Perceptibly thinner, aged as by
many years, all shriyeled and shrunk-
en-, he lay chained to his bed by his
aHliction, unable 10 lift leg or arm, his
lips fallen nervelessly apart, his
tongue lolling uncontrollably-dead,
dead, dead, save his eyes.
As Louise and approached the bed
side it appeared to me that he recog-
nized us both and ! could detect the
same pleading look / had noted the
night before. He seemed to NE strug-
Cling with his deadcned senses to ask
US something. While l did not know
whether or not his hearing had been
impaired l thought he might be worry
ing about Kathar!ne's condition, and
carefully and slowly l began to enun-
ciate something about her, hoping that
I Lad guessed What it was he wished
10 ask. But even as I spoke saw
that his eyes had left my face. Into
them returned the same acute terror
lie had exhibited at the sight Of the
yellow letter. Il those eyes could have
spoken, their shricais would have filed
the room. I followed the direction OF
their glance He was staring in ter
ror at the one strange face in the
room-the inspectors.
Seeing low much his presence dis
turbed the invalid, Davis turned quick
~ and left the room. Louise and ]
followed, leaving only the doctor and
nurse.
Il wonder what made him look SOP
breathcd Louise.
Hes afraid of something-fo1
some one?" I said, hurrying TO over.
take Davis. hoping to learn from him
his opinion as TO what caused The pa
tents fears.
II was right. It's just as 7 thought,
| heard him muttcr as Ire fastened to
the hal! and reached for his hat and
coat. ! saw that he was making prep.
aration for instant departure and
was in 4 Quandary what to do. I felt
il my duty 20 accompany my friend,
for from his manner l was convinced
that he was on the track Of the mys.
terry. Yet cid not wish to leave Lou
ise until | had gained some eXplana-
ton IF the barrier that she seemed to
have raised between US. | was con-
scious OF no way in which | could
have offended her, yet there was
marked difference in her attitude tow
ard me overnight While l was still
debating the question and Davis had
all but reached the door, seemingly in
different TO whether or not / accom-
panied him, q nurse came running TO
Louise.
Miss Parrish" she said, Il think
your sister is recovering conscious
ness. I thought you would like TO
know it and to be at her side in case
she speaks"
Though Davis was some distance
away his acute ear must have caught
her words. He turned and was up the
stairs in flash. Louise convulsiyely
caught my hand. The barrier between
US was swept away. ! knew then it
was only fear that she had been for
ward in showing her affection. HAND
in hand we raced up the stairs after
the inspector, and ranged ourselves
on the other side OF the bed from him.
Between us, her long hair in braids,
only the white bandage around her