, 1915-06-17

criuihalS nave come TO hate me-.
Gee" Walter calculated, sit gives
me a chill just to think of itr'
"Oh, you'd soon get used to itr'
Wainwright returned indifferently.
Walter shook his head violently.
Yes" he agreed, II suppose it's all
in the days work; but. just the same,
the idea of receiving threatening let
tiers and all that sort of dope
Wainwright interrupted. MY secre-
tary usually destroys them at once"
There is one notable exception" DR..
Forbes observed in his characteristical-
y precise of speech as he re-
folded his hands carefully and smiled
a wfntry smile. II refer to the white
card episode"
THE white card e~pisode?' Walter re-
peated.
Wainwright's face lost its rather
bored aspect
"Ah, the white eardr" he said thought
fully. yes. that is something differ
ent. And the white card is still com
ing-coming from some very mysteri-
Gus person. a sort Of genius in his
way" He put a land into the breast
pocket of his coat and drew forth n
bit of white cardboard, which he ex-
tended toward his host. This is one
/ received yesterday"
Walter, who had examined the card
cu~riously, looked up In disappointment
as he returned X to its recipient.
why, there's nothing on it." he com
planned whats the idea? Is It from
somebody you sent up?"
at carries a message in spite OF its
being blank" Wainwright said somber-
ly. "As to your question, no., 1t is not
from some one 1 sen up. I've never
seen the man that sent me this and
the others like 1t, and promises to send
me more, of different colors."
Wainwright then proceeded to de-
scribe the Allen murder. the sentence
and the threatening developments
thereafter.
! Walters desire for details concern
ing the curious situation outlined by
Wainwright was thwarted by the en-
trance of Mr.. and Mrs. Blount, pursu-
ant to Andrews privately conveyed In
structions to them. Husband and wife
were In evening dress. He sprang up,
as his guests rose, and introduced the
twain as his father and mother.
I'm right glad to meet any friend
! of my sons" the husband affirmed.
"He provH himself my friend last
night" Wainwright said. Blount
chuckled.
"Yes, he happened to be right on the
job, didn't heTr
Mrs. Blount, who did not approve
Of being left out of any conversation
In her neighborhood, interposed hospi-
tably, as she arranged her ample form
In a chair near the guests.
Now, do sit down." she urged, and
beamed on first the one visitor and
then the other. She felt a triumphant
pride In her position here as hostess
In metropolitan society and wished
that the members OF the Mothers
club of Laramie. wyo., might see her
now, entertaining thus intimately two
distinguished gentlemcr of New York
city. Wainwright Il. as he
seated himself In a -ncing his
hostess 81 fear we are drr,tinlng you"
mot a bit. you amt" Mrs. Blount
asserted, with forcefulness. Father
and Lucene and 1 were just going out
to have dinner at some restaurant, and
we amt in any hurry at ALL"
Mr.. Blount REINFORCED his wife's
statement.
No, stree. I'VE amt in any rush.
We've got a taxi Whiting" the west
erner went on as he opened a cigar
case. Let It wait, / say. Mother and
| Il dNntf NJ VT
when we do come why, darn the ex-
pense! Ehf Amt that right, motherf'
DR.. Forbes made an effort to sus-
tain a share in the conversation by ad-
dressing Blount. You come from the
cattle country. 1 hear"
sit used to be a real cattle coun-
try" was the answer, but nowadays
It's all sheep. It's good business, too,
all right. though the smell Of those
critters is something awful. The last
few years have been wonderful. 1 tell
you, sir. Why, 1 can remember when
IL cents for wool was considered a
very good price. But two years ago
we got 27. That's some price for raw
wool. believe me. But of course no
n knows what this new tariff
Walter interrupted the speaker with
an admirable imitation of the pert
sons rude toward the father.
"Now. dad, for heavens sake, don't
you get started on the tariff"
"No. John" Mrs. Blount Uttered. 81
wish l had a dollar for every hour I've
had to listen to that STUFF" She turn
ed her eyes on Walter. II wish, my
dear" she, said in tones expressive of
deepest maternal pride. that you'd &c
and ask Lucene to please hurry"
Walter stood up o~bediently.
"Yes. mother" he said, IF you will
excuse me to our guests" And he
hurried from the room.
Blount took advantage Of the refer
enc to the daughter Of the house to
i ante. anain Into Tia aanEaEsatiana