Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-06-19


there must have been-concealed
the knowledge of some mystery that
lmpelled her to this awful deed. Yet
little did l suspect whittier my efforts
to find why Louise's sister had shot
herself would lead me. Little did I
imagine in what a web of criminal
cunning, of battling crime, of hidden
evil, l would find myself.
AS l strove to soothe Louise's agi-
tation the doctor appeared at the door
way and imperiously beckoned me. I
tried to persuade Louise to wait out
side, but she chung to me like
frightened child and insisted on ac-
companying me into the room.
Here said the doctor in the curt
tones OF authority, 81 want you to
help me carry her into a quieter place
before I 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.'
I saw the look with which she tried
to read the doctors face and put the
question she dared not ask.
'Will she liver"
Doctor Wilcox shook his head
gravely.
"She is just alive and that is all.
| can not tell yet whether or not we
can save her. There must be abso-
Lutte quiet. I am going to probe for
the bullet and see what course it has
taken. Please telephone at once for
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, telephoned
for Doctor Wilcox's assistants, and
was fortunate in being able to reach
both Immediately. Louise and the
maids meanwhile were kept busy by
the doctor preparing for the operation,
so it fell to my lot to break the news
to General Parrish when he arrived.
Louise had merely told him over the
telephone that Katharine had met
with an accident, so he entered the
house almost wholly unprepared for
the shock my news gave him.
l had before seen strong men in
grief, but never had I witnessed such
wave of heartrending agony as
swept over the general. He came into
his home erect, military, slightly per-
tUrbed, but still in manner and bear
ing the vigorous old soldier, fully
master of his emotions. My words
that told him as gently as was pos
sfble what had happened seemed to
sap all his vitality. His face became
ashen pale, his lips quivered, great
tears coursed down his cheeks, his
shoulders bent under the weight of
his grief and he tottered as if about
to fall.
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 no
son, Katharine had been both son and
daughter to him. Since her mothers
death some years ago she had been
practically head of the household. 1t
was on her that he relied for every
thing, and it was with her that he
discussed all his business affairs. Such
association between them naturally
had strengthened the bonds into far
more than the ordinary father-and-
daughter affection.
my poor little girl-Katharine-
little Katharine" he moaned in tones
of agony that wrung my heart for
him.
His first thought was to go to her,
but the doctor forbade his presence
in the room. I persuaded him to go
to his own apartments, leaving him in
the hands of his valet and promising
to keep him informed as to Katha-
rine's condition.
Deeply as l felt for him, it was of
Louise thought most. wanted to be
with her constantly, to give her the
succor of my presence. AS soon as
Doctor Wilcox's assistants arrived,
bringing with them a nurse, Louise
and were both banished from the
room. Gently l drew her into little
sitting-roOm, where, with the door
ajar, we waited to see if our aid might
be needed. fearless sorrow now
weighed heavily on her.
"Tell me everything" l said, with
my arm about her. "Why did she do
it?"
IT don't know" she cried out. "I
can't understand it at all! There is
some mystery, some terrible mystery
that / cannot thom."
when did you see your sister last?"
eve had luncheon together. She
was sweet and kind, as she always
was, but I could see that something
was worrying her. We were to have
gone shopping together this afternoon
but she told me that she had an err
rand that would make it impossible
for her to go with me. I had re-
ceived your note, SO told her that it
would suit me much better to put the
shopping off until tomorrow. Right
after luncheon she went out-where,
do not know. She did not use the car
or call a taxi. All know is that she
was gone about two hours. When she
came in / was arranging the flowers