The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-09-24

HGT NtCh. nc ShliI was ilc 1, anu
she wore high black shoes Of the
thick walking type. Judging from
Burton's description she must have
been about your size and figure, Mrs.
Wrandall. Isn't that SO, Mrs. Bur
ton?"
The innkeeper's wife spoke. Eyes,
Mr.. Harden, I'd say so myself. About
five feet six, I'd Judge; rather slim
and graceful like, in spite OF the big
coat"
Mrs. Wrandall was watching the
woman's face. 81 am five feet SIX"
she said, as IL answering a question.
The sheriff cleared his throat some
what ueedlessly.
Burton says she acted as IL she
were a lady," he went On. mot the
kind that usually comes out here on
such expeditions, he admits. She did
not speak to anyone, except once in
very low tones to the man she was
with, and then she was standing by
the fireplace put in the main Office,
quite a distance from the desk. She
went upstairs alone, and he gave some
orders to Burton before following her.
That was the last time Burton saw
her. The waitress went up with 4 spe-
cially prepared supper about half an
hour later"
at seems quite clear. Mrs. Wran-
dali, that she robbed the man after
stabbing him." said the coroner
Mrs. Wrandall started. Then she
was not a lady, after ALL" she said
quickly. There was q note of relief
in her voice. 1t was as If she had
put aside a ~half-formed conclusion.
His pockets were empty. Not a
penny had been left. Watch, cuff
links, scarf pin, cigarette case, purse
and bin folder-all gone. Burton had
seen most of these articles in the
Office"
Isn't it-but no! Why should l
be the n to offer a suggestion that
might be construed as a defense for
this woman"
You were about to suggest, madam,
that some one else might have taken
the valuables-is that it," cried the
sheriff.
Had you thought Of II, Mr.. Sheriff."
Il had not. 1t isn't reasonable. No
one about this place is suspected. We
have thought Of this, however: the
murderess may have taken all of
these things away with her in order
to prevent immediate Identification of
her victim. She may have been clever
enough for that. 1t would give her a
start"
met an unreasonable conclusion,
when you stop to consider, Mr.. Sher-
if. that the man took the initiative in
that very particular" said Mrs. Wran-
dali in such a self-contained way that
the three men looked at her in won
der. Then she came abruptly to her
feet. ut Is very late, gentlemen.
am ready to go upstairs, Mr.. Sheriff"
Il must warn you, madam, that Mr..
Drake is reasonably certain that 1t Is
your husband" said the coroner un
comfortably. You may not be pre-,
pared for the shock that"
Il shall not faint, DR.. Sheet. II it
is my husband shall ask you to leave
me alone In the room with him for q
little while" The final word trailed
out into a long, tremulous wall, show
ing how near she was to the breaking
point in her wonderful effort at self.
control. The men looked away hast.
lily. They heard her draw two or
three deep, quavering breaths; they
could almost feel the tension hat she
was exercising over herself.
The doctor turned after a moment
and spoke very gently, but with pro
fessional firmness. You must not
think of venturing out in this wretched
night, madam. 1t would be the worst
kind OF folly. Surely you will be
guided by me-by your own common
sense. Mrs. Burton will be with
YOU"
Thank you, DR.. Sheet" she inter
posed calmly. III what we all fear
should turn u to be the truth,
could not stay here. / could no,
breathe. I could not live. II. on the
other hand, Mr.. Drake is mistaken,
shall stay. But il it is my husband,
cannot remain under the same rooi
with him, ever though he be dead.
do not expect you TO understand my
feelings. 1t would be asking toe
much of men-too much"
81 think | understand" murmured
Drake.
Come" said the sheriff, ~arousinf
himself with an effort.
She moved swiftly after him. Drake
and the coroner. following close be
hind with Mrs. Burton, could not take
their eyes from the slender. graceful
figure. She was a revelation to them
Feeling as they did that she was about
to be confronted by the most appalling
crisis imaginable, they could not but
marvel at her composure. brakes
mind dwelt on the stories of the guillo
tine and the heroines who went up to
IL In those bloody days without SC
much as a culver of dread. Somehow
to him, this woman was a heroine.
They passed into the hall and
mounted the stairs. At the far end
OF the corridor a man was seated in
front OF a closed door. He arose as
the party approached. The sheriff
signed for him to open the door he
guarded. As he did so, a chilly blast
of air blew upon the faces OF those In
the hall. The curtains in the window