The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-05-07

You see. IL have seen Mr.. Wrandall
but once, in town somewhere, and
may be wrong. Still, the coroner-and
the sherlff-seemed to think you
should be not6ed-I might say ques.
toned. That is why called you up.
| trust, madam, that | am mistaken. -
Yes" she said shriily, betraylng the
intensity Of her emotion. It was as
II she lacked the power to utter more
than q single word. which signiled
neither acquescence nor approval.
He was Ill at ease, distressed II
have engaged room for you at the
inn. Mrs. Wrandall. You did not bring
a maid. see. My wife will come
over from our place to stay with you
IL you"
She shook her head. Thank you,
Mr.. Drake. 1t will not be necessary.
came alone by choice. shall re-
turn to New York tonight"
But you-why, you can't do that"
he cried, holding back as they started
toward the door. mo trains stop here
after ten o'clock The locals begin
running at seven In the morning. Be
sides"
She interrupted him. May we not
start now, Mr.. Drake? am-well.
Iyou must see that am suffering.
must see. must know. The sus-
pense-" She did not complete the
sentence. but hurried past him to the
door. throwing 1t open and bending
her body to the gust that burst in upon
them.
He sprang after her. grasping her
arm to lead her across the Icy plat.
form to the automobile that stood in
the lee of the building.
Disdaining his command to enter
the tonneau, she stood beside the car
and waited until he cranked It and
took his place at the wheel. Then she
took her seat beside him and permit.
ted him to tuck the great buffalo robe
about her. No word was spoken. The
man was a stranger to her She for
got his presence in the car.
Into the thick OF the storm the mo.
tor chugged. Grim and silent, the |
man at the wheel. ungoggled and |
tense, sent the whirring thing swiftly |
over the trackess village street and
out upon the open country road. The
woman closed her eyes and waited.
You would know the month was
10 L..
lion." but apparently the storm swal-
lowed the words for she made no re-
sponse to them.
They crossed the valley and crept
up the tree-coyered hill. where the
force of the gale was broken. II she
heard him say: Fierce. wasn't III"
she gave no sign. but sat hunched for
ward, peering ahead through the snow
at the blurred lights that seemed so
far away and yet were close at hand.
is that the inn?" she asked as he
swerved from the road few moments
later.
"Yes. Mrs. Wrandall. We're here"
Isis he In there?"
Where you see that lighted window
upstairs" He footed the horn Wig
orously as he drew up to the long, low
porch. Two men dashed out from the
doorway and clumsily assisted her
from the car.
60 right in. Mrs. Wrandall," said
Drake. II will join you In a jiffy."
She walked between the two men
into the feebly lighted office of the
inn. The keeper OF the place, dreary
looking person with dread in his eyes,
hurried forward. She stopped. stock
still, Some one was brushing the
thickly caked snow from her
long chinchilla coat.
You must let me get you some
thing hot to drink. madam" the land.
ord was saying dolorously.
She struggled with her veil, finally
tearing 1t away from her face. Then
she took in the rather bare, cheerless
room with a slow. puzzled sweep OF
ler eyes.
No, thank you" she replied.
1T won't be any trouble, madam"
urged the other. Its right here. The
sheriff says it's all right to serve It,
although II is after hours. run n
respectable. law-abiding house.
think OF offering it to any
one II 1t was In violation"
Never mind. Burton" interposed a
big man, approaching. Let the lady
choose for herself II she wants II,
she'll say so. am the sheriff, madam.
This gentleman is the coroner, DR..
Sheet. We waited up for you after
Mr. Drake said you'd got the fast train
10 stop for you. Tomorrow morning
would have done quite as we'll I'm
sorry you came tonight in all this
blizzard"
He was staring as II fascinated at
The white. colorless face OF the woman
who with nervous fingers unfastened
the heavy coat that enveloped her
slender figure. She was young and
strikingly beautiful. despite the In.
tense pallor that overspread her face.
Her dark, questioning, dreading eyes
looked up Into his with an expression
he was never to forget 1t combined
dread, horror doubt and smoldering
anger that seemed to overcast all
other emotions that lay revealed TO
him
This is a--what is commonly called
road house'?" she asked duly her
eyes narrowing suddenly as IL in pain.
1T Is an inn during the winter, Mrs.
and road house in the
II that makes 1t plain to you.
will say however. that Burton has
always kept well within the law.
This is the hrst - er - real bit of
trouble he's had AMI I won't saw itia