Marble Hill press., 1913-08-14

nave been Mrs, Dupont That look
reasonable. but Ahe stays at you
home. does che notf"
"she makes our house her headquar
tiers, but Ia absent occasionally Las
night she was here at this hotel Well
We are getting this stralghtoned out /
little-that Ia, II you believe me-"
"ot course"
Then ! am going TO question you
You spoke OF oyeThearing converse
tom
Yes; II was after Airs. Dupont haC
left. Captain Barrott came. aud tool
her away was sitting here thlnklng
when two men came into the parlor
Who were thoy' DO you know .
zone was the soldier who drives you
about-Connors. the other n black
bearded, burly fellow called 'Reh.'-
"Mr Dupont"
What IL that Dupont Lord No
wonder she's gone bad. Why.
thought her husband was ranchman
down south somewhere! This fellow
Is tin'hofn."
Tie did run cattle once, years ago
think be was quite well OF, but drank
and gambled Il away Papa told me
all about II. but ! found out he vas
The man by accident Ho-is the one
] am really afraid Of"
She stopped. her eyes descrting his
face, and stared out into the darkness.
lie waited. feeling vaguely that he had
not heard all she intended to say.
What more DO you know" be
asked. What was II you expected OF
me9"
She turned again. aroused by the
question.
Yes. ! must tell you as quickly as
can before | am missed. | did not
know abou; Mrs Dupont and Licuien.
ant 0aakins. I realized there was
something between slight
Irritation, but scarcely save that
thought What brought me here vas a
much MOTE serious matter. yet this
new Information helps me TO compro.
hcnd the other-the motives. | mean
Mrs, puponi's maiden name was Vera
Carson"
Certainly: ! knew her family we'll
She came here. and vas received
Into our family As a daughter Of my
fathers sister II truo. her maiden
name would have been Sarah Counts
Papa had no reason 10 suspect the do
csit lie Goes not now. and | doub, II
oven your word would convince him.
for he seems thoroughly under her In.
fucncc. There has been such a change
In him since she came. not all al
once, you know. but gradual. until now
he scarcely seems like the SAmc man.
IL do no, dislike Lieutenant Gas
kins. he has Hcon pleasant and Atien.
i've. but do not care for him In any
othcr way Yet papa insists that
marry the man. Lately be- has bccu
Tory unkiud ahou; It. Aud-and am
sure she is urging him on What cAA
do II Is al 50 unpleasant"
Hamlin shook his head. but without
,tply.
You viii not tell me- Then 9ill
ell you shall say Ho' no, TO- in /
.plie Of them shall refuse 70 be .
old Hut how does that pomaH cor. /
roi my father she leaned closer IN .
.er cAruestness. lowering her voice.
She has ne, won him b. charms he
; afraid ~ her
Afraid Are you certain ot that"
Yes cannot tell you knv AMOS.
srhaps Il IS all vomAnly instinct. but
do know that he ts tortufiEed. that
e daru not oppose her ulsb. | have
cad the truth IN his eyes and Aia
urc b. Is harsh to me only because
- Is driren By some threat Wha;
an Il be-"
You have never spoken 50 him Of
cur suspiclouss Asked him ="
Yes and no tried once. and shall
ever forget the expression OF his face.
hen he turned on me In a perfect
araIysm Of anger never even
arcd hint ai the matter again"
The Sergeant stared out into the
.reet, not knowing ahat 10 Eay, OF
ow to advise Almost unconscious Of
10 action his hand s,olo along the
ii, until It touched hers
ITO re CONTINUED