Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-12-06
CHAPT /,
Poinsettias.

l noticed him when he came out or
the Clermont" This was a hotel we
had just passed.
But it's not only that. It's his
height, his very striking features, his
expression" stopped suddenly.
gripping Georges arm convulsively in
a surprise he appeared to share. We
had turned the corner Immediately
behind the man of whom we were
speaking and so had him still in full
view.
What's he doing?" l asked in low
whisper.
The man ahead OF us, presenting In
every respect the appearance OF a
gentleman. had suddenly stopped to
the kerb and was washing his hands
in the snow, furtively, but with
vigor and purpose which could not
fail to arouse the strangest conJec-
lures in any chance onlooker.
"Pilatei" escaped my lips, in a sort
of nervous chuckle. But George shook
his head at me.
81 don't like it, he muttered, with
unusual gravity did you see his
face?" Then as the man rose and
hurried away from us down the street,
Il should like to follow him. do be-
neve-"
But here we became aware Of a
quick rush and sudden clamor around
the corner we had just left, and turn
ing quickly, saw that something had
occurred on Broadway which was fast
causing a tumult.
What's the matter?" | cried. What
can have happened? Let's go see,
George. Perhaps it has something to
do with our man."
My husband, with a final glance
down the street at the fast disappear
ing figure, yielded to my Importantly,
and possibly to some new curiosity of
mis- own. I'D like to stop that man
first" said he. But what excuse have
i? He may be nothing but a crank,
with some crack-brained idea in his
head. Wen soon know; for there's
certainly something wrong there on
Broadway"
He came out of the Clermont," 1
suggested.
81 know. II the excitement isn't
there, what we've just seen Is simply
a coincidence"
1t was the last word he had time
to speak before we found ourselves
In the midst of a crowd of men and
women. jostling one another in curl
L.,
ing a quick alarm. All were looking
one way, and, as this was towards the
entrance of the Clermont, 1t was evil
dent enough to us that the alarm had
indeed had its origin in the very place
we had anticipated. l felt my hus-
bands arm press me closer to his side
as we worked our way towards the
entrance, and presently caught a
warning sound from his lips as tie
oaths and confused cries everywhere
surrounding us were broken here and
there by articulate words and we
heard:
rs ii MURDER"
"The beautiful Miss Challoner!"
"a ~ lionairess in her own right"
"Killc !. they say"
mo. no, suddenly dead; that's ALL"
George, what shall we do?" man.
aged to cry into my husbands ear.
III tell you what I'll do" whis-
pered George, who was as curious as
myself. I'VE will try the rear door
where there are fewer persons. Posi-
bly, we can make our way in there,
and If we can, Slater will tell us all
we want to know"
Slater was the assistant manager of
the Clermont, and one of Georges old
est friends.
Then hurry" said |. 81 am being
crushed here"
George did hurry, and in few min
of the great hotel. There was mob
gathered here also, but it was neither
so large nor so rough as the one on
Broadway. Yet | doubt if we should
have been able to work our way
through it If Slater had not, at that
very instant, shown himself in the
doorway, in company with an officer
to whom he was giving some final in
structions.
Let us in, Slater" George begged.
MY wife feels little faint; she has
been knocked go so by the crowd"
no Sc Saw the way cleared
for our entrance than l made good my
husbands words by fainting away in
earnest.
When l came to, It was suddenly
and With perfect recognition of my
surroundings. The small reception
room to which l had been taken was
one | had often visited, and it's IA
miliar features did not hold my at
tention for a moment. What | did
see and welcome was my husbands
face bending close over me, and to
him | spoke first. My words must
have sounded oddly to those about
. Have they told you anything about
it?" ! asked. did he"
A quick pressure on my arm ST.
fenced me. and then noticed that we
were not alone. Two or three ladies
stood near. watching me, and one had
evidently been using some restora-
tive, for she held a small vinaigrette
in her hand. To this lady. George
made haste to introduce me. and from
her ] presently learned the cause of
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