The Springfield herald., 1913-07-11
BV ANNA KATHARINE GRf

| "Its devilish. Such beautiful
girl! Laura. must leave you for a
moment. Do you mind?" N
mo. 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. l
have telephoned and made 1t all right
at home. Will 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 of all present. as we'll as
from the whispered comment of my
husband, l recognized in him the spe-
cial oficial 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. am going
to see you settled in q room quite
remote from this business"
II 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 1t 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 l rushed to meet him.
"Tell me-tell.r begged.
He tried to smile at my eagerness,
but the attempt was ghastly.
i've been listening and looking"
said he. land this Is all I have learn
ed. Miss Challoner died. not from
a stroke or from disease Of any kind.
but from a wound reaching the heart.
No one saw the attack. or even the
approach or departure of the person
inflicting this wound. II che was killed
by pistol-shot. 1t was at distance.
and almost over the heads of the per
sons sitting at the table we saw
there. But tho doctors shake their
heads at the word pistolshot, 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 1t my duty to
speat 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-"
"Or his manner ~ he hed."
"Nor that either"
I'VE can only describe what We saw
him do"
That's ALL"
"Oh. what an adventure for quiet
people like US! George. l don't be-
lieve he shot her"
He must have"
"But they would have seen-have
heard-the people around. mean"
$50 they say; but have q 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 hour-I never
knew which-George reappeared. only
to tell me that no conclusions had ~
yet been reached: an element Of great
mystery involved the whole affair. and
the most sstute 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-
tion. To no living being. man or
woman, could he point ~ possessing
any motive for such . deed. She had
been the victim of some mistake. his
lovely and ever kindly disposed
daughter. and while the loss was irre-
parable he would never make It unen-
durable by thinking otherwise.
Such was the fathers way Of look
ing at the matter. and I own that it
made our duty a tride hard. But
deOT868 ulluO, Wueu OuCo mduo uPs
was persistent to the point Of OBJ
stinacy, and while he was yet talk
ing he led me out of the room and
down the hall to the elevator.
"Mr. Slater knows we have some
thing to say, and will manage the
interview before us in the very best
manner" he confided to me now with
an encouraging air. I'VE are to go
to the blue reception room on the
parloY floor"
Mr.. Slater was there according to
his promise. and after introducing US.
briefly stated that we had some evil
dence to give regarding the terrible
occurrence which had just taken place
In the house.
George bowed. and the chief
spokesman am sure he was q po-
lIce-onicer of some kind-asked him
to tell what 1t was.
Then my husband spoke up. and re-
lated our little experience. II 1t did
not create a sensation, It was be-
cause these men were well accus-
toned to surprises Of all kinds.
Washed his hands, gentleman
out there in the snow-just after the
alarm was raised here?" repeated one.
"Apd you saw him come out of this