Middletown transcript., 1915-01-23
CHAPTER iI-contInusd.

Let me hear her description. your
honor"
The Judge, who had withdrawn into
the shadow. considered for a moment,
then said:
'T cannot describe her features, for
she was heavily veiled: 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 a 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 1t appeared to be
about six-or that was the impression
l received before"
The sergeant, who had been watch
ing the speaker very closely, leaned
forward with 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 hie way again, and
only a 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 a 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
auch insufficient data? A woman
dressed In purple, leading a little
child?"
Judge. not only feel sure that l
can find her, but think she is found
already. Do you remember the ! old
tavern on the Rushville road? be-
lieve 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 a paper cutter lying ON the
table between them.
"The one where"
81 respect your hesitation, Judge.
Yes, the one run by the man you sen.
ltenced-"
A gesture had stopped him. He
waited respectfully for the judges
next words.
They came quickly and with stern
and solemn emphasis
For hideous and wholly unpro.
s6ked crime. Why do you mention II
ar d-and his tavern?"
because of something I have lately
heard in its connection. You know that
the old house has been all made over
sin ce that time and run as a place
of resort for automobilists in search
of light refreshments. The proprie
tor'$ name is Yardley We have moth
ing against him. the place Is highly
respectable. But 1t harbors boarder
a permanent one, believe, who has
occaA Aioned no little comment. No one
has over seen her face; unless it is
tue latuuiOTuS WIG one mas all mel
meals served in her room, and when
she goes out she wears the purple
dress hnd purple veil you've been talk
ing abl out. Perhaps she's your visitor
OF today. Hadn't better find out?"
Has she child? Is she mother? 2
Il haven't heard Of any child, but
Mrs. Yardley has seven" e1
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 Os strander rose and in a peremp
tory tone said:
"TomoErow. 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 tC
his feet AT the same instant as the
Judge, cast a last look about him. Gu
riosity bur ming in his heart and 8
sort OF desperate desire to get all he
could out ~ lis present opportunity
For he field absolutely sure that he
would neveIt be allowed to enter th,,
room again.
Tlvrt hra r1N IN