The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-08-13


that ugly night. Sara tried to see II
as 1t actually had transpired. Fol-
months this present enterprise had
been in her mind: the desire to see
the place again, to go there with old
Impressions which she could leave be-
hind when ready to emerge in q new
frame of mind. 1t was true that she
meant to shake off the shackles of q
horrid dream, to purge herself of the
last vestige of bitterness, to cleanse
her mind of certain thoughts and mem.
cries.
Downstairs Booth waited for her.
He heard the story of the tragedy from
the innkeeper, who Grossly maintained
that his business had been ruined.
Booth was vaguely impressed, he knew
not why, by Burton's description of
the missing woman. I'D say she was
about the size of Mrs. Wrandall her
self, and much the same figger," he
said, as he had said thousand times
before. my wife noticed 1t the min
ute she saw Mrs. WrandaIl Same
height and everything"
A bell rang sharply and Burton
glanced over his shoulder at the indi-
Gator on the wall behind the desk. He
gave a great start and his jaw sagged.
Great Scott!" he gasped. A curl
Gus grayness stole over his face. TITS
its the bell in that very room. My
soul, what can"
MRS. Wrandall Is up there, nn't
she?" demanded Booth.
ut amt rung since the night he
pushed the button for Oh, gee!
You're right She is up there. My,
what a scare 1t gave me-" He wiped
his brow. Turning to a boy, he COM
manded him to answer the bell. The
boy went slowly, and as he went he
removed his hands from his pockets.
He came back an instant later, more
swiftly than he went, with the word
that "the lady up there" wanted Mr..
Booth to come upstairs.
She was waiting for him In the open
doorway. A shaft of bright sunlight
from window at the end of the hall
fell upon her Her face was colorless.
haggard. He paused for an instant to
contrast her as she stood there in the
pitiless light with the vivid creature
he had put upon canvas so recently.
She beckoned to him and turned
back into the room. He followed.
This is the room, Brandon, where
my husband met the death he de-
served" she said quietly.
Deserved? Good heavens, Sara,
are you"
Il want you to look about you and
try to picture how this place looked
on the night of the murder. You have
vivid imagination. None of this
rubbish was here. Just a bed. a table
and two chairs. There was a carpet
on the floor. There were two people
here, man and woman. The wom-
an had trusted the man. She trusted
him until the hour in which he died.
Then she found him out. She had
come to this place, believing it was
to be her wedding night. She found
no minister here. The man laughed at
her and scoffed. Then she knew. In
horror, shame, desperation she tried
to break away. from him. He was
strong. She was good woman: .
virtuous, honorable woman. She saved
herself"
He was staring at her with dilated
eyes. Slowly the truth was being
borne in upon him.
The woman was-Hettyp came
hoarsely from his stiffening lips. my
God, Sara!"
She came close to him and spoke
In half-whisper. Now you know the
secret. Is it safe with your"
He opened his lips to speak, but no
words came forth. Paralysis seemed
70 have grfpped not only his throat
Dut his senses. He reeled. She
grasped his arm in a tense, fierce way,
and whispered:
BE CAREFUL No one must hear
what we are saying" She shot a
glance down the deserted hall. mo
one is near. l made sure of that.
Oont speak! Think f1rst-think well,
Brandon Booth. It is what you have
been seeking for months-the truth.
You share the secret with us now.
Again l ask, is 1t safe with your"
MY God!" he muttered again, and
passed his hand over his eyes. His
brow was wet. He looked at his I'm
gers dumbly as If expecting to find
hem covered with blood.
is it safe with you" for the third
tme.
Safe? Safer" he whispered, follow
ng her example without knowing that
le did so. Il can't believe you,
Sara. 1t can't be true"
1T is true"
You have known-all this time ?"
From that night when stood where
We are standing now"
"And-and-she"
Il had never seen her until that
light. saved her."
He dropped suddenly upcn the trunk