The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1913-06-19

for ne lad paused in hurry Of inoe.
nation.
Perhaps had better explain"
Peace interposed. Owing to this IN
fortunate love affair, It is plain that
no member OF Mr.. Coran's family must
laarn that this young man is suspect.
cd or that steps are being taken for
his arrest. It would not be unreason-
able to fear that he might be warned.
] am staying with Mr.. Coran tonight,
but do not want to 60 alone.
might take an assistant from the Yard.
but 1t Is hard to pick man who has
not criminal investigation depart
ment' stamped upon him. You look
innocent enough. Mr.. Phillips. viii
you come with us, and lend me
hand7"
agreed at once. 1t could not fail
to be an amusing adventure. After
some discussion, 1t was arranged that
Peace and ! should be introduced as
business friends OF Mr.. Coran, who
had esked us down to .Brendon on a
sudden invitation. A telegram was
sent on to that effect.
For the first fifteen minutes OF the
train we shared crowded compart-
ment. Gradually, however, our COM
panions dropped away until we were
left to ourselves. Mr.. Coran was in
evident hesitation OF mind. He shifted
about. screwing his hands together
with most doleful countenance.
When he commenced to speak he
leant forward as II afraid that the
very cushions might overhear him.
Il have mentioned my sister Re-
becca," he said. She is woman OF
remarkable character"
Indeed" l rhurmured, for he chose
to address me more directly.
I'VE have differed lately on several
points of-er-local interest. 1t is
very important that she should not
learn the cause Of my appeal to the
police. Anything that aroused her
suspicious might lead to consequences
very disagreeable to myself"
Il will be discreet"
My daughters will-er-benefit
largely under her will. She would cut
them out of It without hesitation II
she learnt that their father had been
connected with so-er-disgraceru q
scandal. You understand the situa-
tion?"
Perfectly. 1t must render your po-
sition additionally unpleasant"
He sighed and relapsed into a mel
ancholy silence. in which the train
drew up at Brendon station. A cab
was In waiting, into which we climbed.
A couple OF turns, short descent,
and we drew up at gate in long
wall Of flaming brick.
AS We walked up the drive looked
carefully about me. The house was
also OF red brick and OF mixed archi-
lecture. l believe the architect had
Intended 1t for the Tudor period, with
variations suggested by modern sani-
tary requirements. The garden before
The windows was of considerable size,
with laurels and quick-growing shrubs
lining the edge of a lawn and several
walks. At the farther end a
matched roof. rising amongst the
young trees, showed the position or
The summer house which played SO
important part in the story we had
heard
1t was striking six as we entered
he hall. Our host led us straight to
our rooms on the first floor. We had
been told not to bring dress clothes.
10 that ten minutes later we were
'eady to descend to the drawing
Dom.
Mr.. Coran's daughters, a pair OF
,retty, bright-faced girls, were seated
n those careless attitudes which de-
tote the expected appearance OF
trangers. Miss Rebecca, tall, spec
acled female, whose sixty years had
changed curves for acute angles. re-
,osed In the window, reading a vol
ime OF majestic size. She laid IL
Town with a thump, removed her
classes and received us with great
nodesty and decorum. The inspector
md fox terrier, that set up a bark
ng as we entered, were the only men,
'ers Of the party that seemed natural
nd at ease.
l found the dinner pass pleasantly
nough, despite the gloom that radi-
ted from the brother and sister.
Emily, the victim OF the "unfortu-
ate attachment" quite captured my
ancy. though l am not ladies' man.
vice we dared to laugh. though the
eproving eyes Of the elders were con.
family upon us. In the intervals or
ly talk with her l obtained the keen
st enjoyment from listening to the
onversation OF Peace and Miss Re-
ecca- The lady cross-examined him
cry much as If he we're prisoner ac-
used OF various grave and monstrous
nenses. Upon the question of anti
lvisection she was especially urgent.
CHRONICLES TO BE CoNTINUED.)