The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-01-22
CHATTER lI-continued.

let me hear her description. your
honor"
The Judge, who had withdrawn into
the shadow. considered for moment,
then said:
Il cannot describe her features. for
she was heavily yelled; neither can
describe her figure except to say that
she is tall and slender. But her dress
remember. She wore purple; not an
old woman's purple, but soft shade
which did not take from her youth.
The child did not seem to belong to
her. though she held her tightly by
the hand. In age it appeared to be
about six-or that was the impression
received before"
The sergeant, who had been watch
ing the speaker very closely, leaned
forward with a hasty, inQuiring glance
expressive of something like conster-
nation. Was the judge falling again
into Inconsistencies?
No; for the eyes which had gone
blank had turned his way again. and
only disconnected expression which
fell from the judges lips showed that
his mind had been wandering.
TITS not the same but another one;
that's ALL
Inconsequent words, but the sergeant
meant to remember them, for with
their utterance change passed over
the Judge, and his manner, which had
been constrained and hurried during
his attempted description. became at
once more natural and therefore more
courteous
do you think you can find her with
suck insufficient data? A woman
dressed in purple. leading little
eisi1df"
fudge. not only feel sure that
can find her, but think she is found
already. Do you remember the old
tavern on the Rushville road? be-
Heve they call it an inn now. or
some such fancy NAME"
The judge sat quiet, but the SER
geant, who dared not peer too closely.
noticed a sudden construction In the
fingers of the hand with which his host
fingered paper cutter lying ON the
table between them.
The one where
Il respect your hesitation, Judge.
Yes, the one run by the man you SEN
fenced :"
A gesture had stopped him. He
waited respectfully for the judges
next words
They came quickly and with stern
aad solemn emphasis.
For hideous and wholly unpro-
voaxea crime. Why do you mention 1t
aad and his tavern?"
Because of something have lately
heard in its connection. You know that
the old house has been all made over
since that time and run as a place
OF resort for automobiles in search
Of light refreshments The proprie-
tors name is Yardley. We have moth
ing against him: the place is highly
respectable. But it harbors boarder.
permanent one, believe, who has
occasi0ned no little comment. No one
has ever seen her face: unless it is
the landlords wife. She has all her
meals served in her room, and when
she goes out she wears the purple
dress and purple veil you've been talk
iHg about Perhaps she's your visitor
Of today. Hadn't better find out?"
Has she a child? Is she mother?"
4 haven't heard Of any child. but
Mrs. Yardley has seven"
The judges hand withdrew from the
table and for an instant the room was
so quiet that you could hear some far
OF clock ticking out the minutes. Then
Judge Ostrander rose and In peremp-
tory tone said:
Tomorrow. After you hear from
me again. Make no move tonight.
Let me feel that all your energies are
devoted to securing my privacy"
The sergeant. who had sprung to
his feet az the same instant as the
Judge, cast last look about him, Gu
rtcsity burning in his heart and a
sort Of desperate desire to get all he
could out Of his present opportunity.
Eor he felt absolutely sure that he
wQnid never be allowed to enter this
r00n again.
But the arrangement OF light was
such as to hold in shadow all but the
central portion Of the room. With a
Sigh the sergeant dropped his eyes
&om the walls he could barely distin.
guish and, following Judge Ostranders
lead. passed with him under the torn
folds OF the curtain and through the
marrow yestibule whose door was maze
q iron, into the room where, In a
stronger blaze Of light than they had
left, lay the body of the dead negro
awaiting the last rites.
Would the judge pass this body. or
tnrn away from It toward door lead
Ing frcntg The sergeant had come
Ia ct The rear. but he greatly desired
TO go out front, as this would give him
20 much additional knowledge Of the