The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1912-08-16

that he had been accidentally shot.
Accidentally! she repeated. The
first storm of grief over, she lifted her
head from where it had rested on her
arms and looked at me. scorning my
subterfuge. HE was murdered. That's
the word I didn't have time to read.
Murdered! And you sat back and let
it happen. went to you in time, and
you didn't do anything. No one did
anything"
did not try to defend myself. How
could I? And afterward when she sat
up and pushed back the damp strands
of hair from her eyes she was more
reasonable.
81 did not mean what I said about
your not having done anything" she
said. almost childishly. mo one could
have done more. 1t was to happen,
that's ALL"
But even then l knew she had trou-
BILE in store that she did not suspect.
What would she do when she heard
that Wardrop was under grave sus-
)picion? Between her dead father and
her lover, what?
l broke the news of her brother-in-
laws death to Miss Letitia.
"Shot!' she said. sitting up in bed
while Heppie shook her pillows. cts
a queer death for Allan Fleming.
always said he would be hanged"
After that she apparently dismissed
him from her mind. and we talked of
her sister. She regretted that under
the circumstances Jane would not rest
in the family lot.
1--WE are all there" she said-"eleven
Of US. counting my sister Mary's hus-
band. although he don't properly be-
long, and l always said we would
take him out if we were crowded. 1t
is the best lot in the Hopedale GENE
terry. You can see the shaft for two
miles in any direction"
We held a family council that morn
ing around Miss Letitia's bed-War-
drop. who took little part in the pro-
ceedings and who stood at window
looking out most of the time; Margery
on the bed, her arm around Miss Lett
tia'S shriveled neck. and Heppie. who
acted as interpreter and shouted into
the old lady's ear such parts Of the
conversation as she considered essen
hal.
II have talked with Miss Fleming"
l said as clearly as l could. land she
seems to shrink from seeing people.
The only friends she cares about are
in Europe. and she tells me there are
no other relatives"
Heppie condensed this into vocal
capsule and thrust it into Miss Le-
titia's ear. The old lady nodded.
mo other relatives" she corroborat-
ed. God be praised for that any
how"
Il was going to suggest" l put in.
that my brothers wife would be only
too glad to help, and If Miss Fleming
will 60 into town with me l am sure
Edith would know just what to do.
She isn't curious. and she's very capa-
ble.''
Margery threw me grateful glance.
grateful. l think. that could under
stand how. under the circumstances, a
stranger was more acceptable than Gu
rious friends could be.
"Mr. Knox's sister-in-law" interrupt
ed Heppie.
when you have to say the letter
s. turn your head away" Miss Letitia
rebuked her. well. don't object If
Knox's sister-in-law don't" She had
an uncanny way of expanding Hep
pies tabloid speeches. you can take
my white silk shawl to lay over the
body. but be sure to bring it back. We
may need it for Jane"
If the old lady's chin quivered bit
while Margery threw her arms around
her she was nightly ashamed of it.
But Heppie was made of weaker stuff.
She broke into a sudden storm Of sobs
and left the room to stick her head in
the door a moment after.
Kidneys or chops?' she shouted al
most belligerently.
Kidneys" Miss Letitia replied in
kind
Wardrop went with us to the station
at noon. but he left us there with
brief remark that he would be up that
night. After l had put Margery in a
seat l went back to have a word with
him alone He was standing beside
the train trying to light cigarette,
but his hands shook almost beyond
control. and after the fourth match he
gave it up. My minute for speech was
gone. AS the train moved out l saw
him walking back along the platform.
paying no attention to anything around
him. Also had fieeting glimpse of
a man loafing on a baggage truck. his
hat over his eyes
l had arranged over the telephone
that Edith should meet the train. and
it was relief to see that she and
Nargery took to each other at once.
We drove to the house Immediately.
do you know that you have not
been to the Office for two days?" said
Edith to me. And do you know that
Halves had Mysteries in our front hall
last night? You had a case in court
yesterday. didn't your
Nothing very much" 1 said. looking