The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-05-24

| SAAS"oA w lSI lA0 LdNC SOul
for few moments?" Clare moved
nervously.
Its queer about that key; I can't
lind It," she said hastily. Il always
carry it in my purse, but when
searched for It few moments ago on
my way over here 1t was not there
For the life of me l cannot imagine
where could have misplaced it, for
have been very careful to always
keep it in that one place. l simply
know have not lost it, but it is just
as strange as 1t can be-" She squirm-
Ell like worried schoolgirl.
Suppose we go back little. When
DO you remember Of having it last?'
he pursued. Her forehead wrinkled
with thought
Three or four days ago when I
came over here. I have not had &C.
casion to think of 1t since until Tom
called me up few moments ago.
am as worried about it as I can be,
but ! am certain that I have not lost
it."
l saw LeDuc's gaze run over the
graceful form of the girl and then
settle upon her face with an expires.
sion that was beyond doubt one Of
unequivocal approval. That Clare.
whose heart was as open to the world
as is the heart of flower to the
light of the sun, could harbor any
secret as dark as this was preposter-
GUS to one who knew her. l had never
met girl with sounder morals or
better instincts, and her character was
Of spun gold. And even though she
loved Bruce and had always defended
his frailties, did not believe that
she would have shielded him had she
believed him guilty of as unnatural
crime az this, matter of history
though it is that one can never tell
| what heights or depths woman will
| achieve to save the man who carries
her heart. Quietly I asked her when
she had seen Bruce last, and knowing
her mannerisms as / did became in
stantly aware that my question had
put her on the rack, for a faint
shadow fitted e:oudlike across her
face. Yet she answered me with her
accustomed frankness.
"Day before yesterday-and | do
not understand 1t either. He was to
see me yesterday evening, but he
neither came nor sent word as to why
he broke the engagement. 1t is not
like him to do such thing, and
while suppose there is some good
reason back Of it, I do not know
what it Is. Anyway, am worried"
She dropped her eyes and tapped gent
ly on the floor with her toe. II wish
you would try and get him on the
wire, Tom, and find out if he is all
right. That is all l care to know at
present" ! assented and started for
the telephone, but had made but a
step or two before l heard first his
familiar ring at the door and a mo-
ment later his equally familiar voice
from the hall below. Then up the
stairs he came and at the first foot
fall halted, listening. Usually he
mounted something after the fashion
of scurrying cat in a series of light
leaps, but now his feet pounded the
boards with heavy uncertainty.
opened the door before him, but at the
first sight Of his face stepped back.
He advanced to the doorway, fall
tered there with one hand braced
against the lamb and the crimson
flushing his face as he saw Clare
amongst US. His eyes were as red
shot as bloodhound's, and the hand
that hung by his side was aspen. The
unmistakable marks Of an evil night
were stamped about his mouth and
his usually clear face looked puttyish
and mottled. | heard Clare gasp as
she arose and slowly approached him
with u1believing eyes. He stepped
aside as though to avoid her, his
glance falling to the floor.
II have heard about tit is in the
papers. Tell me the particulars" he
said with hoarse intonation. From
the bottom Of my heart I pitied him
as gently pulled the girl back to her
seat and answered him in matter of
fact tones.
There IL nothing to tell at present
except that the safe was burglarized
last night and the $4,000 stolen.
spent the night downtown and found
Uncle Abner bound and unconscious
when l returned home this morning.
He was not much hurt and is all right
now. This is Mr.. LeDuc, who has
been engaged by Uncle Abner to
try and ferret out the matter. I think
that Is the whole thing in nut SHE'LL"
I He stood as If in a half daze, his gaze
rambling over us.
ANY clues?" he mumbled at length.
l made no spoken reply, merely bow
ing In the direction of the detective.
And at the signal LeDuc Immediately
assumed vocal command.
"The only thing we have learned as
yet which seems to be Of any particu.
4 lgr interest is that Miss Winton's key
has mysteriously disappeared. All the
others have been accounted for and
we are anxious to locate hers. She is