The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-04-24

the sheriff-seemed to think you
should be notified might say ques-
toned. That is why / called you up.
I trust, madam. that am mistaken"
| "Yes," she said shrilly, betraying the
intensity of her emotion. 1t was as
If she lacked the power to utter more
than a single word, which signified
neither acquiescence nor approval.
He was Ill at ease, distressed. 81
have engaged room for you at the
inn, Mrs. Wrandall. You did not bring
maid. I see. My wife will come
over from our place to stay with you
il you"
She shook her head. Thank you.
Mr.. Drake. 1t will not be necessary.
came alone by choice. l shall re-
turn to New York tonight"
But you-why, you can't do that"
he cried. holding back as they started
toward the door. mo trains stop here
after ten o'clock. The locals begin
| running at seven in the morning. Be-
sides"
She interrupted him. MAY we not
start now, Mr.. Drake? / am-well.
| you must see that / am suffering.
must see. must know. The sus-
pense-" She did not complete the
sentence. but hurried past him to the
door, throwing 1t open and bending
her body to the gust that burst in upon
them.
He sprang after her. grasping her
arm to lead her across the Icy plat
form to the automobile that stood in
the lee of the building.
Disdaining his command to enter
the tonneau, she stood beside the car
and waited until he cranked 1t and
took his place at the wheel. Then she
took her seat beside him and permit
ted him to tuck the great buffalo robe
about her. No word was spoken. The
man was stranger to her. She for
got his presence in the car.
Into the thick of the storm the mo-
tor chugged. Grim and silent. the
man at the wheel, ungoggled and
tense, sent the whirring thing swiftly
over the trackless village street and
out upon the open country road. The
woman closed her eyes and waited.
You would know the month was
March. He said: ct comes in like
lion." but apparently tie storm swal-
lowed the words for she made no re-
Spouse to them.
They crossed the valley and crept
up the tree-co, cred hill, where the
force of the gale was broken. II she
heard him say: Fierce, wasn't it?"
she gave no sign, but sat hunched for
ward, peering ahead through the snow
at the blurred lights that seemed so
far away and yet were close at hand.
'Is that the inn?" she asked as he
swerved from the road few moments
later.
Eyes, Mrs. Wrandall. We're here"
Isis he in there?"
where you see that lighted window
upstairs" He footed the horn Wig
orously as he drew up to the long, low
porch. Two men dashed out from the
doorway and clumsily assisted her
from the car.
go right in. Mrs. Wrandall," said
Drake. II will join you in jiffy."
She walked between the two men
into the feebly lighted Office of the
inn. The keeper of the place, dreary
| looking person with dread in his eyes,
hurried forward. She stopped, stock
still. Some one was brushing the
stubborn. thickly caked snow from her
long chinchilla coat.
"You must let me get you some
thing hot to drink. madam" the land
lord was saying dolorously.
She struggled with her veil, finally
tearing it away from her face. Then
she took in the rather bare. cheerless
room with a slow, puzzled sweep Of
her eyes
mo, thank YOU" she replied.
"It won't be any trouble. madam"
urged the other. Its right here The
sheriff says it's all right to serve 1t.
although 1t is after hours run a
respectable, law-abiding house.
wouldn't think Of offering it to any
one If 1t was in violation"
"Never mind, Burton" interposed a
big man. approaching. Let the lady
choose for herself. If she wants It..
she'll say so. l am the sheriff, madam
This gentleman is the coroner, DIR.
Sheet. We waited up for you after
Mr.. Drake said you'd got the fast train
to stop for you. Tomorrow morning
would have done quite as we'll. I'm
sorry you came tonight in all this
blizzard"
He was staring as II fascinated at
the white, colorless face of the woman
who with nervous fingers unfastened
the heavy coat that enveloped her
slender figure. She was young and
strikingly beautiful, despite the in
tense pallor that overspread her face.
Her dark, questioning. dreading eyes
looked up into his with an expression
he was never to forget. 1t combined
dread, horror, doubt and a smoldering
anger that seemed to overcast all
other emotions that lay revealed to
him.
This is a-what Is commonly called
a road house'?" she asked DULY, her
eyes narrowing suddenly as If in pain.
1T is an inn during the winter, Mrs
Wrandall, and a road house in the
summer. If that makes it plain to you
l will say. however, that Burton has
always kept we'll within the law.
This is the first = er = real bit of
trouble he's had. and l won't say it's
his fault. Keep quiet, Burton No one
is accusing you of anything wrong.
Don't whine about it."
But my place Is ruined" groaned
the doleful one. Its got a black eye