The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-03-26

AhuNh iVi hhmduu suc luNcu lut.
But / worked too hard and left them
too much alone. | wanted to be
rich"
In a sudden paroxysm of anger he
picked up the decanter and hurled 1t
into the fireplace. 1t shivered, mu-
sically, into fragments and the liquor
sputtered and flared.
Whatever happens I'm through
with that" said John Bradley. You
hear it? So help me Cod"
In the meantime l had been think
ing. A queer, impossible idea had
popped into my head as | thought Of
the telephone call for aid. walked
over and put hand on Bradley's
shoulder.
Have you looked through the
house," asked.
He stared. Looked through the
house? For WHAT"
Your wife"
Why, no. he answered, uncom-
pretending She's gone-gone for
good. She's left me. Didn't you read
the note?"
Yes" | said, 'but it's barely pos
sible that she was prevented that
she wrote theietter in anticipation of
her departure and then"
And then-what?" in Heavens
name,'
Where is the telephone?' I
snapped.
There's one in the corner, behind
YOU" he replied dazedly, and an
other in her boudoir, upstairs
l gripped his arm. "Show me the
other phone" said, excitedly.
There's just chance
"Of WHAT" he asked, but did not
answer. He led the way into the
front hall and switched on the lights.
Up the stairway he went, two steps
at a time, and I followed close be-
hind-around turn and through an
open door. 1t was dark there and he
struck a match to look for the chan
delier switch. But as the tiny flame
flared up heard him cry out and go
down on his knees, mutteriDg frantic
endearments. | felt around for the
switch and found it, flooding the
room with soft radiance that fill
tered through rose-colored shades.
Flat on the floor lay a woman
garbed for the street. Evidently she
had swooned from fright or some
other emotion. for there was no sign
of injury. The room was In disorder.
Drawers were pulled out, some of
their contents hanging over the edge
or tumbled On the floor A jewel
case lay inverted on the writing desk,
as though hastily emptied.. Near the
door was small brooch, broken, evil
IDENTIFY trampled on.
Bradley was working over his wife
with frantic energy. chatting her
wrists. loosening her collar and call
ing her name aloud. l got glass of
water at the washstand and let a
small stream trickle on her forehead.
Almost Immediately her eyelds flut-
tered and a moment later she was in
her husbands arms, sobbing, "Oh, I'm
so glad you came. I'm so glad, so
glad"
I tried to get away without being
seen, but before | reached the door
she noticed me and cried out,
startled, Who's that, John? Who's
that?'"
"A friend of mine" he said sooth-
ingly HE came along--to help"
I'VE didn't know how many burg
lars there were, you see" put in.
"Oh. yes" she said. You were at
Johns office when | called up,
weren't you? You answered the
phone. I thought 1t didn't sound like
Johns voice-but | was too fright
ened"
She lay in an easy chair where
John had put her, almost dreamily
relaxed. But suddenly new terror
sprang into her eyes. Her glance met
her husbands, tensely searching.
John" she cried, have you been
In the study"
He did not falter moment mo-"
he said, Il came right up. But Jones
had quite an adventure with the
burglar down there He looked hard
at me.
YES" l said, eve scuffled in the
dark and he fired shot. We broke
the decanter and spilled ink all over
a letter or something. / hope 1t
wasn't valuable, for it was quite OBJ
liberated. threw it into the fire."
She flashed me look of keen in
quiry, but was looking at John.
Probably a BILL" he said care
lessly. We'll, goodnight, old man.