Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-27

both his daughters. the elder had al
ways been his favorite. AS is often the
case with fathers who have no son,
Katherine had been both son and
daughter to him. Since her mothers
death some years ago she had been
/ practically head of the household. II
was on her that he relied in every
( thing, and it was with her that he dis
cussed all his business affairs. Such
association between them naturally
had strengthened the bonds into far
more than ordinary father-and-daugh-
ter affection.
my poor little girl-Katherine-
my little Katherine" he moaned In
tones of agony that wrung my heart
for him.
Fills first thought was to go to her,
but the doctor forbade his presence IN
the room. persuaded him to 60 to his
own apartments, leaving him in the
hands OF his valet and promising to
keep him informed as to Katherines
condition.
! Deeply as 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 nurse, Louise
and were both banished from the
room. Gently I drew her into a little
sitting room, where, with the door
ajar, we waited to see IL our aid might
be needed. fearless sorrow now
weighed heavily on her.
Tell me everything" said, with
my arm about her. "Why did she do
it,"
IT don't know she cried out II
can't understand 1t at all! There is
some mystery, some terrible mystery
that can not fathom."
when did you see your sister 1ast?"
I'VE had luncheon together. She
was sweet and kind, as she always
was, but 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. had received
your note. SO told her that 1t would
suit me much better to put the shop
ping off until tomorrow Right after
luncheon she went out-where, I do
not know. She did not use the car or
call taxi. All / know is that she was
gone about two hours. When she came
in was arranging the flowers in the
dining room. heard her enter and
came out into the hall She walked
right past me without word and
went upstairs to her own room. I ran
up after her, thinking she might be
i'll, but just as / got to the door /
heard her turn the key. understood
that she wished to be alone. About
half an hour later heard sound like
a shot and rushed upstairs, calling to
the servants. We found the door still
locked and we could hear her groan-
Ing. I had the butler burst open the
door and there we found her, just
where she was when you saw her. still
. as death, with her own little revolver
clutched in her hand
/ what do you suppose made her
change her mind about going shopping
with you?" asked. did she receive
any letters or kilograms today?"
Louise thought for moment before
answering, her slender form still
brushed away the tears that gathered
.
her head Twas pillowed on my
shoulder doubt that II in her distress
she noticed my action, save in the
sense Of comfort that 1t brought her.
How terrible 1t is to see the woman
that you love suffer 80 much and to
feel powerless to do anything to help
her!
mo" said Louise, II am positive
j Katherine received no letter or tele-
gram today except an invitation or
two that we read at breakfast. We
were together practically all the time
until after luncheon"
i Perhaps some one telephoned to
her. suggested.
Louise did not recall any message.
We summoned her sisters maid, who
was crouching outside the door like a
faithful animal, and put the question
4 to her. she was in such hysterical
i state that it was difficult to make her
understand what we wanted, but
finally she remembered that there had
been a telephone call just before
twelve.
4 "Who wanted herr" asked Louise
and together.
I The girl shook her mead as II De-
4 wildered. !.
4 think, think" commanded.
"What was the name? Who was it? If
you answered the telephone, whoever
it was must have given his name
4 STUPIDITY she shook her head again.
j .'Was it Mr.. Crandall?" asked
i Louise.
Light came into Hilda's face at
once.
4 "Now remember" she exclaimed
dot was him 1t was Mr.. Crandall.
The name meant nothing to me and
II turned to Louise for explanation.
! Though there were many callers at
4 the Parrish home. never had met a
4 Mr.. Crandall, nor had even heard the
name mentioned.
at must have been Hugh Crandall, >
! said Louise. II was afraid that it was
I, he"
i Her remark puzzled me. The only
4 Hugh Crandall knew anything about