Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-04

"She didn't buy it?'
"She didn't buy IL. Say. Mrs. Pit
man. gimme that doughnut."
"Oh. so the coat washed In!
Nom. Pap found II down by the
point on a cake OF ice. He thought IL
was dog. and rowed out for IL.
Well, | hadn't wanted the coat, as
far as that goes; I'd managed well
enough without furs for twenty years
or more But IL was a satisfaction 10
know that it had not 6oatcd into Mrs.
Maguire's kitchen and spread itself at
her feet. as one may say. However,
that was not the question after all.
The real issue was that II it was
Jennie Brice's coat and was found
across the river on a cake OF ice. then
one Of two things was certain: Either
Jennie Brice's body wrapped in the
coat had been thrown into the water
out in the current, or she herself, hop
ing to incriminate her husband. had
flung her coat into the river.
I told Mr.. Holcombe. and he inter
viewed Joe Mcguire that afternoon.
The upshot of 1t was that Tommy had
been correctly informed. Joe had wit
nesses who had lined up 10 see him
rescue a dog, and had beheld his re-
turn in triumph with wet and soggy
fur coat. At 3 O'Clock Mrs. Mcguire.
instructed by Mr.. Graves. brought the
coat to me for identification, turning il
about for my inspection, but refusing
to take her hands of II.
IF her husband says to me that he
wants it back, well and good" she said,
but I don't give IL up to nobody but
him. Some folks / know of would be
glad enough to have IT"
/ was certain it was Jennie Brice's
coat. but the makers name had been
ripped out With Molly holding one
arm and the other we took # to Mr..
Ladley's door and knocked. He opened
it, grumbling.
81 have asked you not to interrupt
me-" he said. with his pen in his hand
His eyes fell on the coat What's
that" he asked. changing color.
II think it's Mrs. Ladley's fur coat"
said.
He stood there looking at it and
thinking. Then: 1T can't he hers" he
said. she wore hers when she went
away"
Perhaps she dropped it in the
water
He looked at me and smiled. And
why would she do that" he asked
mockingly. WAS it out of fashion,"
That's Mrs Ladley's coat" l per-
sisted but Molly Mcguire jerked it
from me and started away. He stood
there looking at me and smiling in his
nasty way.
This excitement is telling on you.
Mrs. Pitman," he said coOlly. You're
too emotional for detective work"
Then he went in and shut the door.
When I went downstairs Molly Ma
Guire was waiting In the kitchen and
had the audacity to ask me II l
thought the coat needed a new lining.
Ii was on Monday evening that the
strangest event in years happened to
me. / went to my sisters house. And
the fact that / was admitted ut n side
entrance made it even stranger. 1t
happened this way:
Supper was over. and | was cleaning
up. when an automobile came to the
door. IL was Almas car. The chauf-
feur gave me a note:
Dear Mrs. Pitman-I am not at all well
and very anxious. VIII you come 20 see
and l am alone. The car will bring YOU.
Cordially. Ida HARVEY.
I put on my best dress at once and
got into the limousine. Half the
neighborhood was out watching. l
leaned back in the upholstered seat.
fairly quiverinG with excitement This
WIS Alma's car: that was Alma's card
case; the little clock had her mono
gram on il. Even the flowers in the
flower holder. yellow tulips. reminded
a
look at. And | was going TO her house. |
| was not taken to the main en-
trance. but to a side door. The queer |
1reamlike feeling was still there In |
this back hall. releGated from the more !
part OF the house. there !
were even pieces OF furniture from the /
Did home and my fathers picture in an /
oval gilt frame hung over my head !
had not seen picture of him for twen- !
" years. / went over and touched IL |
gently.
Father, father" I said I
Under il vas the tall hall chair that /
lad climbed over as a child and had /
stood on many times to see myself in
he mirror above. The chair was newly
inished and looked the better for its |
lge- l glanced I'm the old glass. The
hair had stood time better than !. l
vas middle aged woman. lined with
poverty and care, shabby. prema turely 1
ray. n little hard. | had thought INV
nther an old man when that picture
vas taken. and now ] was even older.
Father" l whispered again and fell
O crying in the dimly lighted hall.
Ida sent for me at once | had only
line to dry my eyes and straighten my
lat. Had met Alma on the stairs I
would have passed her without a word.
she would not have known me. But /
aw no one.
Ida was in bed. She was lying
here with a rose shaded lamp beside
Ter and a great bowl OF spring flowers
m a little stand at her elbow She
at up when 1 went in and had a maid
lace a chair for me beside the bed.
,he looked very childish with her hair
n a braid on the pillow, and her slim
'oung arms and throat bare.