Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-06-26
CHAPTER II.
"a Know the Man.

"a Know the Man."
Yet he made no effort to detain
Mr.. Slater. when that gentleman, un-
der this renewed excitement, has
tily left us.
Il want to feel sure Of myself" he
explained. Can you bear the strain
of waiting around a little longer,
Laura?"
Yes, can bear it. Don't you think
the man We saw had something to do
with this? Don't you believe"
Hush! What are they saying over
there? Can you hear?"
NO. And l cannot bear to look.
Yet don't want to go away. It's all
so dreadful"
IT'S devilish. Such a beautiful
girl! Laura, must leave you for a
moment. Do you mind?"
No, no; yet"
did mind; but he was gone be-
fore | could take back my word,
Alone, felt the tragedy much more
than when he was with me. l drew
back against the wall and hid my
eyes, waiting feverishly for Georges
return.
He came, when he did come, in
some haste and with certain marks
of increased agitation.
Laura said he, Slater says that
we may possibly be wanted and pro-
poses that we stay here all night.
have telephoned and made 1t all right
at home. Win you come to your
room? This is no place for YOU
Nothing could have pleased me bet
ter. But | could not go without cast
ing another glance at the tragic scene
| was leaving. A stir was perceptible
there, and l was Just in time to see
its cause. A tall, angular gentleman
was approaching from the direction
OF the musicians gallery, and from
the manner fall present, as well as
from the whispered comment of my
husband, recognized in him the spe-
cial official for whom all had been
waiting.
Are you going to tell him?" was
my question to George as we made
our way down to the lobby.
That depends. First, l am going
to see you settled in room quite
remote from this business"
Il shall not like that"
Il know, my dear, but it is best"
| could not gainsay this.
Nevertheless, after the first few
minutes of relief, | found it very
lonesome upstairs.
| was still struggling with this feel
ing when the door opened, and George
came in. There was news in his face
as / rushed to meet him.
Tell me-tell," l begged
He tried to smile at my eagerness,
but the attempt was CHASTITY.
i've been listening and looking"
said he, land this is all have learn
ed Miss Challoner died, not from
a stroke or from disease of any kind,
but from wound reaching the heart.
No one saw the attack, or even the
approach or departure of the person
infiicting this wound. If she was killed
by pistol-shot, it was at distance,
and almost over the heads of the per-
sons sitting at the table we saw
there But the doctors shake their
heads at the word pistol-shot, though
they refuse to explain themselves or
to express any opinion till the wound
has been probed. This they are going
to do at once, and when that question
is decided, may feel it my duty to
speak and may ask you to support my
story"
I'VE can never make them under
stand how he looked"
mo. I don't expect to-"
COR his manner as he fed
Nor that either"
eve can only describe what we saw
him do"
That's ALL"
ooh, what an adventure for quiet
people like us, George, don't be-
lieve he shot her"
He must have"
But they would have seen-have
heard-the people around. l mean"
So they say; but have theory
but no matter about that now. I'm
going down again to see how things
have progressed. I'll be back for you
later. Only be ready
In half hour or an bour--I never
knew which-George reappeared, only
to tell me that no conclusions had as
yet been reached; an element of great
mystery involved the whole affair, and
the most astute detectives ON the
force had been sent for. Her father,
who had been her constant compan-
ion all winter. had not the least sug-
geetion to offer In way OF its solu-