Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-04-09

thick walking type. Judging from
Buttons description she must have
been about your size and figure, Mrs.
Wrandall. Isn't that so, Mrs Bur
| ton 2"
| The innkeepers wife spoke. Yes,
Mr.. Harden, I'd say SO myself. About
five feet six, I'd Judge; rather slim
and graceful like. in spite of the big
(, coat
/, Mrs. Wrandall was watching the
woman's face II am five feet six,
she said, as If answering question.
| The sheriff cleared his throat some
what needlessly.
| Burton says she acted as II she
were c lady he went on. mot the
kind that Sxually comes out here on
such expeditions, he admits. She did
not speak to anyone. except once In
very low tones to the man she was
with, and then she was standing by
the fireplace out in the main office,
quite distance from the desk. She
went upstairs alone. and he gave some
orders to Burton before following her.
That was the last time Burton saw
her. The waitress went up with spe-
cially prepared supper about half an
| hour later
1T seems quite clear. Mrs. Wran-
dali, that she robbed the man after
stabbing him. said the coroner.
| Mrs. Wrandall started Then she
was not lady, after ALL" she said
| quickly. There was a note Of relief
in her voice. 1t was as If she had
put aside a halfformed conclusion.
His pockets were empty. Not q
penny had been left Watch, cuff
links, scarf pin, cigarette case, purse
and bill folder all gone. Burton had
seen most OF these articles in the
office
isn't it-but no! Why should |
be the one to offer suggestion that
might be construed as defense for
this woman?'
You were about to suggest, madam,
that some one else might have taken
the valuables-is that it?" cried the
sheriff.
Had you thought of it, Mr.. Sheriff."
Il had not. 1t isn't reasonable. No
one about this place is suspected. We
have thought of this, however: the
murderess may have taken all Of
these things away with her in order
to prevent immediate Identification of
her victim. She may have been clever
enough for that. 1t would give her a
start"
Not an unreasonable conclusion,
when you stop to consider. Mr.. Sher-
| III, that the man took the initiative in
that very particular" said Mrs. Wran-
dali in such self-contained way that
the three men looked at her in won
der. Then she came abruptly to her
feet. 1T is very late, gentlemen. /
am ready to go upstairs, Mr.. Sheriff. !"
Il must warn you, madam, that Mr..
Drake Is reasonably certain that 1t is
your husband" said the coroner un-
comfortably. You may not be pre-
pared for the shock that"
Il shall not faint, DR.. Sheet. II 1t
is my husband shall ask you to leave
me alone in the room with him for a
little while" The final word trailed
out into a long, tremulous wall. show
ing how near she was to the breaking
point In her wonderful effort at self
control. The mon looked away hast
| lily. They heard her draw two or
three deep, quavering breaths; they
could almost feel the tension that she
was exercising over herself.
| The doctor turned after a moment
and spoke very gently, but with pro-
fessional firmness. You must not
think Of yenturing out In this wretched
night, madam. 1t would be the worst
kind of folly. Surely you will be
| guided by me-by your own common
sense. Mrs. Burton will be with
you
Thank you. DR.. Sheet" she inter-
posed calmly. If what we all fear
should turn out to be the truth. /
could not stay here. l could not
breathe. ! could not live. If. ON the
other hand, Mr.. Drake is mistaken. I
shall stay. But II it is my husband, |
cannot remain under the same roof
with him, even though he be dead. /
W n.y. cApcct you 10 understand nv
feelings. 1t would be asking too
much of men-too much.''
Il think I understand" murraured
Drake.
Come" said the sheriff, arousing
1 himself with an effort.
She moved swiftly after him. Drake
and the coroner, following close be.
hind with Mrs. Burton, could not take
their eyes from the slender. graceful
figure. She was revelation to them,
Feeling as they did that she was about
to be confronted by the most appalling
crisis imaginable. they could not but
marvel at her composure. brakes
mind dwelt on the stories Of the euillo.
tine and the heroines who went IN ia
Iit In those bloody days without SO
much as CULVER of dread. Somehow
to him, this woman was a heroine.
They passed into the hall and
mounted the stairs. At the far end
Of the corridor man was seated in
front of closed door He arose as
the party approached. The sheriff