River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-05-29

one who approached Ter during tuoSo
ten minutes. Every one, Sweetwater,
and l must myself talk with Miss
Clarke"
"You will believe every word she
says"
NO doubt. All the more reason
why | must see her. Sweetwater.
someone drew that weapon out. The
question is who? We must leave no
stone unturned to find that out"
Where will you see Miss Clarke?
wherever she pleases-only |
can't walk far"
81 think know the place. You shall
have the use of this elevator. 1t has
not been running since last night or
it would be full of curious people all
the time, hustling to get glimpse Of
this place. But they'll put man on
for you"
VERY good; manage it as you will.
I'll wait here till you're ready. III
not trouble her much. But there is
one point she must make clear to
me-"
SWeetwater did not presume to ask
what point, but he hoped to be fully
enlightened when the time came.
And he was. Mr.. Gryce had under
taken to educate him for this work
and never missed the opportunity OF
giving him a lesson. The three met
in private sitting-room OH an upper
floor, the detectives entering first
and the lady coming in soon after.
Miss Clarke was not woman to
rouse an unfavorable opinion in any
mans mind. Of Slight, almost frail
build, she had that peculiar ANNA
ton which goes with speaking eye
and widely sympathetic nature.
Without any substantial claims to
beauty, her expression was SO WON
anly and so sweet that she was in
variably called lovely.
Mr.. Gryce was engaged at the mo-
ment in shifting his cane from the
right hand to the left, but his man
ner was never more encouraging or
his smile more benevolent.
Pardon me-" he apologized, with
one of his old-fashioned bows. I'm
sorry to trouble you after all the dis
tress you must have been under this
morning. But there is something
wish especially to ask you in regard
to the dreadful occurrence in which
you played so kind a part. You we're
the first to reach the PROSTATE wom-
an, believe
YES. The boys jumped up and ran
towards her, but they were fright
ened by her looks and left it for me
to put my hands under and try to
life her up
did you manage it?"
81 succeeded in getting her head
into my lap, nothing more"
"And sat SOP"
For some little time"
"You knew she was dead, then?"
81 felt her to be So
"How felt?"
81 was Sure-I never questioned it."
"You have seen women in faint?"
Eyes, many times"
What made the difference? Why
should you believe Miss Challoner
dead simply because she lay still and
apparently lifeless?"
81 cannot tell you. Possibly, death
tells it's own story. I only know how
I felt"
Perhaps there was another rea-
son? Perhaps, that, consciously or
unconsciously, you laid your palm
upon her heart"
Miss Clarke started, and her sweet
face showed moments perplexity
did II" she queried, musingly
Then with sudden access of feeling,
81 may have done so, indeed, | be-
lieve | did. My arms were around
her; it would not have been an un-
natural action"
mo; very natural one, l should
say. Cannot you tell me positively
whether you did this or not?'
Yes, l did. had forgotten it, but
remember now" And the glance
she cast him while not meeting his
eye showed that she understood the
Importance of the admission. 81
know" she said, what you are go
ing to ask me now. Did ! feel any
thing there but the flowers and the
tulle? No, Mr.. Crycs, did not.
There was no poniasd in the wound"
Mr. Gryce felt around. found a
chair and sank into it.
You are truthful woman" said
he. And he added more slowly,
composed enough in character
should judge not to have made any
mistake on this very vital point"
Il think so, Mr.. Gryce. l was in
a state of excitement, of coures; but
the woman was stranger TO me, and
my feelings were not unduly agi-
tated.''
"Sweetwater, we can let my sug-
gestion go in regard to those ten min
utes l spoke Of The time is mar
rowed down to one, and in that one,
Miss Clarke was the only person to
touch her."
THE only one," echoed the lady,
catching perhaps the slight rising
sound of query ir his voice.
Il will trouble you no further" So
said the old detective. thoughtfully.
'Sweetwater, help me out of this"
But one possibility remains" he
confided to Sweetwater, as they stood
waiting at the elevator door, Miss
Challoner died from a stab. What
follows? Che struck the blow herself,
and the strength of purpose which
led her TO do this, gave her the add
tional force to pull the weapon out
and fling 1t from her. 1t did not fall