Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-24


impelled her to this awful deed. Yet
little did | suspect whittier my efforts
to find why Loaise's sister had shot
herself would lead me- Little did l
imagine in what web Of criminal
cunning, Of battling crime, OF hidden
evil. I would find myself.
As strove to soothe Louise's agi-
tation the doctor appeared at the door
way and imperiously beckoned me. l
tried to persuade Louise to wait out
side. but she chung to me like g
frightened child and insisted on &C
companying me into the room.
Here" said the doctor in the curt
tones Of authority, Il want you to
help me carry her into Quieter place
before l operate
This way" said Louise, recovering
herself as soon as she saw the oppor-
tunity TO be useful, into my rooms.
They are off the street and much qui'
eter."
saw the look with which she tried
10 read The doctors face and put the
question she dared not ask.
"Will she live"
Doctor Wilcox shook bis head
grayely.
"She is Just alive and that is all.
l can not tell yet whether or not We
can save her. There must be abso.
lutte quiet. I am. going to probe fol
the bullet and see what course it has
taken. Please telephone at once foI
these two men. They are my hospi'
tai aides. AS soon as they arrive ]
will operate"
As quickly as we had laid the sense,
less Girl on Louise's bed, I telephoneG
for Doctor Wilcox's assistants, anc
was fortunate in being able TO reaci
both Immediately. Louise and The
maids meanwhile were kept busy by
the doctor preparing for the operation,
so Il fell to my lot to break the news
to General Parrish when he arrived
Louise had merely told him over the
telcDhone that Katharine had met
with an accident. so he entered the
house almost wholly unprepared fol
the sock my news gave him.
had before seen strong men II
grief. but never had I witnessed sucl
wave OF heartrcndinS agony "a
swept over the general. He came into
his home erect, military, slightly per
turhcd, but still in manner and bear
ing the vigorous old soldier, 1u!iy
master Of his emotions. My words
that told him as gently as was pos
sible what had happened seemed to
sap all his vitality. His face became
ashcn pale. his lips quivered, great
tears coursed down his cheeks, MS
shoulders bent under the weight oil
his grief and he tottered as if about
to fail.
While he was fond and proud OF
both his daughters, the elder had al
ways been his faVorite. As is often
the case with fathers who have nc
sou, Katharine had been both son and
dau@hter to him. Since her mothers
death some years ago she had beer
practically head OF the household. Ii
vas on her that be relied for every
thing, and it was with her that h
discussed all his business affairs. Such
association between them naturally
had strengthened the bonds into ial
more than the ordinary father-and-
daughter affection.
My poor little girl-katharine-m!
little Katharine" he moaned in tones
Of agony that wrung my heart fol
him.
His first thought was 10 go to her
but the doctor forbade his presence
in the room. I persuaded him 10 &c
10 his own apartments, leaving him Il
The HANDS OF lis valet and promisinE
to keep him Informed as TO katha
rineS condition.
Deeply as J felt for him, it was OF
Louise thought most. I wanted to bt
with her constantly, TO give her The
succOr OF my presence. AS soon as
Doctor WilcoX's assistants arrived
BRINGING with them nurse, Louise
ard were both banishcd from the
room. Gently drew her into little
sitring-roCm. where. with the door
ajar, we waited 70 see II our aid might
be needed. fearless sorrow now
weighed heavily on her.
"To!l ME everything I said. with
my arm about her. why did she dc
it?"
Il don't know" she cried out. q
can't understand it at all! There Is
some mystery. some terrible mystery
that cannot fathom."
when did you see your sister last?'
I'VE had luncheon together. She
was sweet and kind. as size always
was, but l could see that something
was worrying her. We were 10 have
gone shopping together this afternoon
but she told me that she had an err
rand that would make ii impossible
for her 10 90 with me. ! had re
ceived your note, so told her that il
would suit me much better TO put the
shopping off until tomorrow. Right
after luncheon she went Out--Where, !