The Forrest City times., 1914-03-27
CHAPTER I.--Contlnued.

I'm not so sure of it," said the cor
oner, shaking his head. Il have a
feeling that she isn't one of the ordi-
nary type 1t wouldn't surprise me II
she belongs towel. you might say
the upper ten. Somebody's wife, don't
you see. That will make 1t rather diff
flcult, especially as her tracks have
been pretty well covered"
1T beats me, how she got away
without leaving a single sign behind
her" acknowledged the sheriff. She's
a wonder, that's all I've got to say"
At that instant the door opened and
Mrs. Wrandall appeared. She stopped
short, confronting the huddled group,
dry-eyed but as palld as a ghost Her
eyes were wide, apparently unseeing;
her colorless lips were parted in the
drawn rightly that suggested but one
thing to the professional man who
looks: the 'risis sardonicus" OF the
strychnae viCI,ln. With a low cry,
the doctor started forward, fully con-
vinced that she had swallowed the
deadly drug.
For Gods sake, madam" he began,
But as he spoke her expression
changed she seemed to be aware of
their presence for the first time. Her
eyes narrowed in a curious manner,
and the rigid lips seemed to surge
with blood, presenting the effect of
queer. swift-fading smile that fingered
long after her face was set and seri-
GUS
Il neglected to raise the window, Or.
Sheet" she said In low voice. ut
was very cold in there" She shivered
slightly. viii you be so kind as to
tell me what am to do now? What
formalities remain for me
The coroner was at her side. Time
enough for that, Mrs. Wrandall The
first thing you are to do is to take
something warm to drink. and pull
yourself together a bit"
She drew herself up coldly. Il am
quite myself, DR.. Sheet. Pray do not
alarm yourself on my account. l shall
be obliged to you, however. if you will
tell me what | am to do as speedily as
possible, and let me do it SC that |
may leave this-this unhappy place
! am going tonight-unless, of course"
she said, with quick look at the sher-
III, the law stands in the way"
You are at liberty to come and 60
as you please. Mrs. Wrandall." said the
sheriff, but 1t is most foolhardy to
think Of"
Thank you, Mr.. Sheriff." she said
for letting me go. thought perhaps
there might be legal restraint" She
sent swift glance over her shoulder
and then spoke in high, shrill voice
indicative Of extreme dread and uneas-
mess
Close the door to that room"
The door was standing wide open,
Just as she had left it. Startled, the
coroners deputy sprang forward to
close it. lnvoluntarily, all of her lis
teners looked in the direction OF the
room, as If expecting to see the form
OF the murdered man advancing upon
them. The feeling. swiftly gone, was
most uncanny.
Close it from the inside" com
manded the coroner. with unmistaka-
Bile emphasis. The man hesitated and
then did as he was ordered, but Eot
without curious look at the wife of
the dead man, whose back was toward
him.
He viii not find anything disturbed,
DOCTOR said she, diyining his thought.
i had the feeling that something was
creeping toward US out of that room.
You have every reason to be merry
GUS, madam. The situation has been
most extraordinary trying,
said the coroner Il beg OF you TO
come downstairs, where We may al
tend to few necessary details with
out delay. 1t has been most ia
uguing matter for all of us. Hours
without sleep, and such wretched
weather"
They descended to the warm little
reception room. She sent at once for
the inn keeper, who came in and glow
cred at her as if she we're wholly re
sponsible for the blight that had been
put upon his place
VIII you be good enough TO send
some one TO the station with me in
your depot wagon?" she demanded
without hesitation.
He stared. We don't run bus
in the winter time" he said, gruffly.
She opened the little chatelaine bag
that hung from her wrist and abstract
ed a card which she submitted to the
coroner.
You will find, Doctor Sheet. that the
car my husband came up here in be-
longs TO me. This is the card issued
by the state 1t is in my name. The
factory number is there. You may
compare it with the one on the car
Ny husband took the car without OBJ.
tanning my consent"
Joy riding" said Burton, with ar
ugly laugh. Then he cuailed before
the look she gave him.
IF no other means is offered. Doc
tor Sheet, shall ask you to let me
take the car. | am perfectly capable
OF driving have driven 1t in the
country for two seasons. All | ask is
fNat arr a, o7a ho rifS~sen to on with