The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-05-16
CHAPTER x-(continued).

NTVAV En-
T law Hugh Crandall leaving this
house not ten minutes ago." ! said.
Really"
Her tone was cold. hard. forced.
though she tried to make 1t sound nat
ural.
1T was he who broke open your
desk" I cried. He wanted to regain
possession Of that scrap Of paper and
thus remove all evidence of his guilt"
Il am afraid" said Louise with the
manner Of offended dignity. that you
Are entirely mistaken. l was not
aware that you knew Mr.. Crandall by
sight"
III that wasn't Hugh Crandall who
came out OF your house just now. who
WAS IT." | asked, my anger at this
man whom believed responsible for
the chain Of evil getting the better
Of me-. Il don't know Crandall. but
know the evil he Is responsible for.
for the tragedy OF your sister. the
plight Of your father. the suicide OF
old Andrew Elser, the suicide Of that
poor woman out In Ardway. Why, not
an hour & l helped drag from the
park lake q NTH victim, a poor young
girl. driven to death by another OF his
eccursed yellow letters. found the
fragments Of 1t, w~ater-soaked and illeg-
1ble, In the lake"
mr.. Kent" interrupted Louise, you
kind enough to undertake a mis-
sion on my behalf and I appreciate 1t
greatly. Certain circumstances have
arisen that have entirely altered mat
ters. / called you up last night and
asked you to drop all investigations.
You have said that you love me. BY
that love you say you hold for me l
now ask you. nO-moreI order you
70 make no further attempts to solve
the mystery-please. Harding, please"
Her voice broke, and with one last
gesture of appeal she flung herself
into q chair and covered her face With
her hands.
Perplexed beyond measure with the
turn affairs had taken, with my heart
aching with sympathy for her. l stood
with sobs, trying to make up my mind
what to do. My heart babe me prom
lse her anything, everything II It
would bring her peace OF mind, yet
my brain told me that 1t was best for
her. best for every one, II l should 60
ahead Is my friend, the inspector,
bad advised.
Louise" l began. trying to keep
my voice steady. III you will answer
mo one question"
Don't, Harding. please don't" she
robbed. lifting her tear-stained face
TO me In entreaty. You mustn't. You
mustn't ask nj n questions. II you
love me-. please do just az | say"
Louise" l replied almost sternly,
you are not yourself. Can't you rely
on me? Cant you trust me? Don't
you know that ! will do nothing that
10 not for the best?"
gathered her into my arms and
hold her close. / pressed my lips
against her fragrant hair where 1t
0trayed from under her automobile
bonnet. Az she lay unresistiing In my
arms her sobs decreased and she be-
came calmer.
~ 00S : 00A0s ! IN &Ho
Hugh Crandall has been here. feel
thst he has been influencing you
against me. Won't you do what your
heart bids you and tell me every
Thing about 1T"
9h1 drew 4 long deep breath and
OsDt1y freed herself from my encir-
cling arms and. facing me. looked u
- With arm resolution written al
ovof her lovely face.
You must do what l tell you. I
IN answer no questions. wish !
oou16, but ! can't. You mustn't ask
- N isn't NY secret"
- COR ID waiting. Miss Louise"
- tho na11's voice interrupted she
~ = starr, a1A reaching her hands
0Dnl14vGey - ~ n mere M