Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-09-03
Initials Only" By Anna katherine Green
A Thrilling Mystery Story of Modern Times

the alarm had indeed had its origin in
the very place we had anticipated.
1eit my husbands arm press me closer
10 mis- side as we worked our way to-
wards the entrance, and presently caught
warning sound from his lips as the
oaths and confused cries everywhere sur
rounding US were broken here and there
by articulate words and we heard:
rs it MURDER"
The beautiful Miss Challoner,'
"A millonairess In her own right"
Killed. they say
NO. No! suddenly dead; that's all"
Woman's Curiosity.
George, what shall we do" I man
aged to cry into my husbands ear.
Get out of this. There is no chance
OF our reaching that door, and | can't
have you standing round any longer in
this icy slush"
"But-but is it right" I urged in an
importunate whisper Should we go
home while he
Hush! My first duty is to you. We
will go make our visit but tomor-
Il can't wait till tomorrow" I pleaded.
wild to satisfy my curiosity in regard
to an event in which I naturally felt a
keen personal interest.
He drew me as near to the edge of
the crowd as he could There were new
murmurs all about us.
IF It's a case of heart failure, why
send for the police?" asked one
It's better to have an officer or two
here grumbled another
Here comes a cop"
We'll, I'm going to vamoose"
I'll tell you what I'll do" whispered
George who for. all his buster was as
| curious as myself. I'VE will try the rear
door, where there are fewer persons.
Possibly we can make our way in there,
and If we can. Slater will tell us all we
want to know"
Slater was the assistant manager of
the Clermont, and one of Georges old
est friends
Then hurry" said l. Il am being
crushed here.r
George did hurry. and in few min
utes we were before the rear entrance of
the great hotel There was a mob gath-
cred there also, but it was neither so
large nor so rough as the one on Broad
way. Yet | doubt If we should have been
able TO work our way through it if Slater
had not, at that very instant shown
himself in the doorway, in company with
an officer to whom he was giving final
instructions. George caught his eye as
soon as he was through with the man,
and ventured on what | thought a rather
uncalled-for plea.
A Hasty Refuge.
Let us in, Slater" he begged My
wife feels little faint; she has been
knocked about so by the crowd
The manager glanced at my face, and
! shouted to the people around US to make
room. felt myself lifted up, and that is
all ! remember of this part of our adVen-
ture. For, affected more than | realized
by the excitement Of the event, | no soon
er saw the way cleared for our entrance
than ! made good my husbands words by
falntlng away In earnest
When l came to, it was suddenly and
with perfect recognition of my surround
ings. The small reception room to which
had been taken was one 1 had often
visited. and its familiar features did not
hold my attention for a moment. What
did see and welcome was my husband S
| face bending close over me, and to him l
spoke first. My words must have sound
ed oddly to those about. Have they
fold you anything about it?" l asked.
Did he"
a quick pressure on my arm silenced
me, and then l noticed that we were not
alone. Two or three ladies stood near,
watching me, and one had evidently been
using some restorative. for she held a
small vinaigrette in her hand. To this
lady George made haste to introduce me,
and from her l presently learned the
cause of the disturbance in the hotel
A Big Mystery.
1t was of somewhat different nature
from what l expected, and during the re-
cital | could not prevent myself from
casting furtive and inquiring glances at
George.
Edith the well known daughter of
Moses Challoner, had fallen suddenly
dead on the floor of the mezzanine. She
was not known to have been in poor
health. still less in danger of a fatal at
tack. and the shock was consequently
great to her friends, several of whom
were in the building Indeed it was
likely to prove a shock to the whole com
munity, for she had great claims for
general admiration and her death must
be regarded as a calamity to persons in
all stations of life.
| realized this myself for | had heard
much of the young ladys private virtues.
as well as of her great beauty and dis
tingulshed manner. A heavy loss, in
deed, but
was she alone When she tell!
asked.
Virtually alone. Some persons sat on
the other side of the room, reading at
the big round table. They did not even
hear her fall They say that the band
was playing unusually loud in the must
clans gallery
Are you feeling quite well. now"
quite myself" | gratefully replied as
rose slowly from the sofa. Then, as
my kind informer stepped aside. I turned
to George with the proposal that we
should go now
Anxious to Leave.
He seemed as anxious as myself to
leave, and together we moved towards
the door, while the hum of excited com
ment which the intrusion of .fainting
woman had undoubtedly interrupted, re-
commenced behind US till the whole room
buzzed.
In the hall was encountered Mr.. Slater.
whom ] have before mentioned. He was
trying to maintain order while himself
in a state of great agitation. Seeing us,
he could not refrain from whispering q