The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1913-02-22
CHAPTER x-tcontInued).

CHAPTER x-(contlnued).
Il saw Hugh Crandall leaving this
house not ten minutes ago." said.
"Reailyi"
Her tone was cold. hard. forced.
though she tried to make 1t sound nat
ural.
TT was be who broke open your
desk" cried. He wanted to regain
possession Of that scrap of paper and
thus remove all evidence of his guilt"
II am afraid" said Louise with the
manner Of offended dignity. that you
are entirely mistaken. was not
aware that you knew Mr.. Crandall by
sight"
II that wasn't Hugh Crandall who
came out Of your house Just now, who
was IT." I asked. my anger at this
man whom I believed responsible for
the chain Of evil getting the better
of me. Il don't know Crandall. but l
know the evil he Is responsible for,
Tor 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 ago I helped drag from the
park lake . NTH victim, q poor young
Girl. driven to death by another of his
occurred yellow letters. 1 found the
fragments Of II, water-soaked and illeg-
tble, IN the lake"
'Mr. Kent" interrupted Louise, you
wers kind enough to undertake q mis-
15on on my behalf and appreciate It
greatly. Certain circumstances have
arisen that have entirely altered mat
tsrs. called you up last night and
~aGked you 10 drop all Investigations.
You 6aye said that you love me. BY
that love ycn say you hold for me !
new ask you, no-more-I order you
% 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 . 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
watching her slender form as 1t shook
With sobs. trying to make up my mind
what to do. My heart babe me prom
See 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 should go
ahead as my friend. the inspector.
had advised.
LOUISE" I began. trying to keep
my voice steady. III you will answer
me one question"
Don't, Harding. please DON'T" she
sobbed, lifting her tear-stained face
to me in entreaty. you mustn't. You
mustn't ask me any questions. II you
love me, please do Just as l say"
Louise" I replied almost sternly,
you are not yourself Can't you rely
on me? Can't you trust me? Don't
you know that viii do nothing that
a not for the best?"
I gathered her into my arms and
held her close. pressed my lips
AGAINST her fragrant hair where II
strayed from under her automobile
bonnet. Az she lay unresistiing In my
arms her sobs decreased and she be-
came calmer.
my darling" I said. Il know that
Hugh Crandall has been here. feel
that he has been Influencing you
against me. Won't You do what your
heart bids you and tell me every
thing about TT"
She drew q long deep breath and
gently freed herself from my encir-
cling arms and. facing me. looked at
me with firm resolution written all
over her lovely face
-You must do what ! tell you I
can answer no questions. l wish I
could, but ! cant You mustn't ash
me. II isn't my secret"
The car Ii waiting. Miss Louise
Al the maids voice interrupted she
,eave Q start, and reaching her haAds
ct impulsivcly to me- In more Ike