The Nevada County picayune., 1912-10-11
CHAPTER |.
Into the Maelstron.

fin the afternoon of April twelfth, of the maelstrom of mystery and tragedy into which I was about to plunge. was worried and anxious, it is true, But only as every young man Is who finds himself for the first time deeply in love. There was no portent of evil, no foreshadowing of the terrible chain of events that all but destroyed my belief in my fellow-man, and left it's mark so deep upon my memory that do not believe time ever can wholly efface 1t.
 Even now that it is all ended, and the shadow which hung so heavily over the household of my sweetheart has been dispelled and the hand whose devilish ingenuity brought shame and grief and wreck to so many innocent lives is paying the penalty behind prison bars-even now l shudder at the sight of anything yellow. A scrap of yellow paper vividly recalls-and fear always will recall-the painful events of the last few weeks.
 had been waiting ever since my re- turn from court for telephone mes sage that had not come-the word from Louise which felt would decide my fate I had written to her the night before. asking if l might go to her in the afternoon to speak on sub feet of importance. I knew she would understand the object of my letter, though all that I had asked was that she would telephone me earlier than four whether she would be at home
 From my window l had watched the great hand on the Metropolitan tower clock creep slowly to twelve As the chimes began to sing the hour of four felt that l could bear the suspense no longer. Message or no message, would go to her at once. Before the vibrant note of "On-n-n-n-e" had died away l closed my desk with bang. As the fourth stroke reYerberated I stood with hat and overcoat on. my hand on the knob of my office door, hoping yet 10 hear my telephone ring lmpatiently I waited a minute and then dashed toward the elevator. The telephone. l learned afterward rang almost the minute l was out of the room and Louise's voice called fran ucally for me, but l was not there 10 hear.
 II was only short walk up Madison avenue to the home of General Far rish. the father of Louise. With the doubt that possesses every lover on such a mission as this, l walked it, "a rIi grit heart, now quickening my pace as hope routed my fears. As 1 turned the corner into the street where the Parrish home is situated my steps were leaden. What right had to ask Louise Parrish to be my wife? The daughter of q man worth many mil lions, girl of exquisite beauty and Of many accomplishments, one who could choose a husband where she willed-what right had l to hope that she would ever consent 10 become the wife of a struggling young lawyer such as |? To be sure. my family was of the best. With my earnings and the modest little fortune my father had left me I would be able to provide
 
 poets were bright. l amounted 10 uoth- iag in my profession, It would be years before l could hope to give my wife the luXuries 10 which Louise Far rish had been accustomed.
 On the other hand, felt that with Louise as my wife I could do L.vat things loved her with a great .Ove felt that her affection and comp. hon- ship would be inspiration enough for any man to conquer the world 1 hopli that she loved me. recalled the rifles which seemed to show, al lea hat she found pleasure in my soci' f%. l tried to comfort myself, too. by remembering that General Parrish Was selfmade man, that when he married he was as poor as l, if not poorer, knew that he liked me and mad confidence in me. Was 1t then. 'aiter all, l asked myself presuming Ill me to hope that LouieY would lis ten to me and that her father would consent to her becoming my wife yet, why had she not telephoned?
 AS dragged my hesitatine feet across the street was aroused from my reYerie by the rush of an automo- nue that all but knocked me over, "lih an angry imprecation at such 'eckiess driving l glanced up and recognized the man who occupied 1t. ne Was standing beside his chauffeur, .S II ready to leap out, It was Doc oI Wilcox, a noted practitioner who atehded the Parrish family. and whom
 had met at their home. plunged .orWafd in anxious dismay as l saw tue machine halt before the Parrish uoor and the doctor jump Sut and run up the steps.
 my hrst, my only thought, was of e, ouise. What could have happened? que must be ill-desperately i'll, as the svo,ors haste suggested. Did not this sv'ain her failure to telephone? Could
 po that she was dead? What