Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1912-11-15
"was 1t Mr.. crandall?" Asked Louise.

succor of my presence. AS soon as
Doctor Wilcox's assistants arrived
bringing with them nurse, Louise
and l were both banished from the
room. Gently drew her into little
sittingroom, where, with the door
ajar, we waited to see if our aid migfs
be needed. fearless sorrow now
weighed heavily on her.
Tell me everything" I said, with
my arm about her why did she do
it,"
Il don't know" she cried out. 81
can't understand it at all! There is
some mystery, some terrible mystery
that | cannot fathom.'
when did you see your sister last p"
I'VE had luncheon together. She
was sweet and kind, as she always
was, but ! could see that something
was worrying her. We were to have
gone shopping together this afternoon
but she told me that she had an err
rand that would make it impossible
for her to go with me. I had re
ceived your note, SO told her that it
would suit me much better to put the
shopping off until tomorrow. Right
after luncheon she went out-where, |
do not know. She did not use the car
or call taxi All | know is that she
came in | was arranging the flowers
in the dining-room. l heard her enter
and came out into the hall. She
walked right past me without a word
and went upstairs to her own room !
ran up after her, thinking she might
be ill, but just as / got to the door
heard her turn the key. | understood
that she wished to be alone. About
half an hour later heard sound like
shot and rushed upstairs, calling to
the servants. We found the door still
locked and we could hear her groan-
ing. l had the butler burst open the
door and there we found her, just
where she was when you saw her, still
as death, with her own little revolver
clutched in her hand"
What do you suppose made her
| change her mind about going shopping
with your" | asked. Did she receive
| any letters or kilograms today?"
Louise thought for moment be-
| fore answering, her slender form still
| shaken with silent sobbing. Gently l
| brushed away the tears that gathered
| in her eyes and drew her to me until
her head was pillowed on my shoulder.
doubt that if in her distress she no
ticed my action. save in the sense of
comfort that it brought her. How ter
love suffer so much and to feel power
less to do anything to help her!
mo" said Louise, 81 am positive
Katharine received no letter or tele-
gram today except an invitation or
| two that we read at Breakfast We
were together practically all the time
until after luncheon"
Perhaps some one telephoned to
her." l suggested.
Louise did not recall any message.
We summoned her sisters maid, who
was crouching outside the door like a
faithful animal, and put the question
to her She was in such a hysterical
understand what we wanted, but final
| ly she remembered that there had
been telephone call just before
| twelve.
who wanted herr" asked Louise
and l together.
rhe girl shook her head as if be-
wildered
Think, think" commanded. what
was the name? Who was it? If you
answered the telephone, whoever ii
was must have given his name"
STUPIDITY she shook her head again.
WAS 1t Mr.. Crandall?" asked GU.
Use.
Light came into Hilda's face at once.
Nov l remember" she exclaimed
dot was. him. 1t was Mr.. Crandall,r