Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1912-12-26
CHAPTER *
a New Mystery.

= NEW mystery
was up with the dawn the next
morning and downstairs to find a
train schedule. The only thought in
my mind was that I must go to Lou
Use at once. I could not understand
her sudden amazing change of front.
Why, after pledging me to solve the
mystery, should she all at once be as
insistent that I should Immediately
stop all inquiry? I had lain awake
the whole night, bordering the situa-
ton and seeking solution. What rea-
son could she have? Who could have
Influenced her to such action?
The first train, I found, left two
minutes before six. I ordered break
fast, though in no mood for eating,
and went to Davis room. felt that
/ needed his advice l found him
awake, smoking a cigarette in bed.
Briefly | related to him the amazing
telephone conversation I had had with
Louise the night before.
What possible reason could have
Influenced her to make such a strange
r4quest?" / concluded.
"A woman doesn't have to have a
reason" he nswered-flippantly it
seemed to me.
You don't understand" l cried
Louise is not the ordinary Eighty
girl. She has the finest, best-balanced
mind of any woman l ever knew. She
never acts on impulse"
Davis looked at me with that exas-
peratiug smile of his.
Kent" he replied, when you have
been married as long as I have, when
you know women as well as I do, you
viii realize the folly of trying to find
reasons for the things women do
Their minds are not governed by rea-
son, but by impulse. Every sane wom-
an knew that the hObble skirt was an
absurdity, yet when Fashion decided
in favor of the hobble skirt it was
worn. I doubt very much if Miss Far
IRISH herself could tell you why she
asked you to discontinue your inves-
tigation Probably she acted on i'm
pulse. By this time she undoubtedly
is just as eager as she ever was for
you to go on"
What would you adviser"
I'D go on" said Davis laconically,
he lighted another cigarette.
For a moment | was almost shaken
my determination to do nothing IN
til had seen Louise It seemed as If
Davis might be right. Perhaps she
had acted only on impulse. Perhaps
her love for me had made her feel
that the investigation might lead me
into danger. But l reconsidered. She
had given me her love and trust and
confidence. She surely was entitled
to full confidence from me. | could
not honorably continue the investiga-
tiOn without first seeing her.
Il am going to town on the first
train" l said decisively. Il shall do
nothing until 7 have seen her"
And I shall go on with the inves-
tigation,' said Davis with that exas-
porating smile of his.
Impatiently I turned and left him
I chokcd down a cup of coffee and hur-
ried to the station. The Journey
seemed miles and miles long. though
Ills tkGiA l0oNG lev Stops. AS soon as
the ferry landed me in New York l
sprang into a taxi and ordered the
driver to take me at once to the Far
ush house. Not until we had turned
sUfa heir street did 1 realize thai it
WAS s6u too early for me TO Try. to see
Louise, even en- such an urgent mis-
sion IS mine. 4 few doors away from
TIE heuse I stopped the chauffeur and
haae him drive up the avenue to the
entrance of Central park
4 dismissed him there and srroued
aimlessIy into The park would wait
until ten O'Clock before ! tried 10 see
Louise. Still po0derins the situation.
1 strolled along one OF the park walls
and fung myself on a bench by the
little lake where the swan boats are.
There was no one about III shat early
hour and I was glad Of il wanted
u be alone and think.
How long sat there I do not know