Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-05-30
CHAPTER III.-contInued.


reporters were to be expected He
was to do all the talking for her.
While he was there, Leslie Wrandall
called her up on the telephone. Hear
ing but one side of the rather pro-
longed conversation. he was filled with
wonder at the tactful way in which
she met and parted the inevitable
questions and suggestions coming
from her horror-stricken brother-in-
law. Without the slightest trace of
offensiveness in her manner, she gave
Leslie to understand that the final OBJ
sequies must be conducted in the
home of his parents, to whom once
more her husband belonged, and that
she would abide by all arrangements
his family elected to make. Mr.. Car
roll surmised from the trend of con-
versation that young Wrandal1 was
about to leave for the scene of the
tragedy, and that the house was in
state of unspeakable distress. The
lawyer smiled rather grimly to him
self as he turned to look out of the
window. He did not have to be told
that Challis was the idol of the family.
and that, SO far as they were con-
cerned. he could do no wrong!
After his departure, Mrs. Wrandall
gently opened the bedroom door and
was surprised to find the girl wide
awake, resting on one elbow, her star
ing eyes fastened on the newspaper
that topped the pile on the chair
Catching sight of Mrs. Wrandall she
pointed to the paper with trembling
hand and cried out, in a voice full of
horror:
Did you place them there for me to
read? Who was with you in the other
room just now? Was it some one
about the-some one looking for me?
Speak, Please tell me. 1 heard a
mans voice"
The other crossed quickly to her
side
Don't be alarmed. 1t was my law
yer. There Is nothing to fear-at pres
ent. Yes, 1 left the papers there for
you to see. You can see what a sensa-
ton it has caused. Challis WrandaIl
was one of the most widely known
men in New York. But 1 suppose you
know that without my telling you"
The girl sank back with a groan.
MY God, what have 1 done? What
will come of 1t all?"
Il wish 1 could answer that ques-
tion," said the other. taking the girls
hand in hers. Both were trembling
After an instant'c hesitation, she laid
her other hand in the dark. disheyelled
hair of the wild-eyed creature, who
still continued to stare at the head
lines. 4 am quite sure they will not
look for you here. or in my home"
In your home?"
You are to go with me. 1 have
thought it all over. 1t is the only way.
I RI
together. Get up at once, and dress.
Here are the things you are to wear"
She indicated the orderly pile of gar
ments with wave of her hand.
Slowly the girl crept out of bed. con-
fused bewildered, stunned.
Where are my own things? Il
cannot accept these. Pray give me my
own"
Mrs WrandaH checked her.
You must obey me, If you expect
me to help you. Don't you understand
that l have had "a bereavement? /
cannot wear these things now. They
are useless to me. But we will speak
OF all that later on. Come, be quick;
l will help you to dress. First, go to
the telephone and ask them to send a
waiter to-these rooms. We must have
something TO eat Please do as 1 tell
you
Standing before her benefactress,
her fingers fumbling impotently at the
neck of the night-dress, the girl still
continued to stare dumbly into the
calm. dark eyes before her.
You are so good. IL
Let me help you," interrupted the
other, deliberately setting about to re-
move the night-dress. The girl caught
it up as 1t slipped from her shoulders,
a warm flush suffusing her face. a
shamed look springing into her eyes.
Thank you, 1 can-get on very
well. 1 only wanted to ask you a
question. 1t has been on my mind,
waking and sleeping. Can you tell me
anything about-do you know his
wife?"
The question was so abrupt, so start
ling that Mrs. Wrandall uttered a
sharp little cry For a moment she
could not reply.
II am so sorry, so desperately sorry
for her." added the girl plaintively.
II know her." the other managed to
say with an affort-
'Tf had .A1y known that he had a
wife began the girl bitterly. almost
tansrily.
Mira wrandan grasped her by the