The Press., 1916-09-14
The Popham
 Mystery Its Solution Was to Say the Least a Surprise By CLARISSA MACKIE
By CLARISSA MACKIE

Miss Laura Bamwell's little black eyes blazed with the fire of excitement. Such a tidbit of news had not trembled on the tip of her sharp tongue for many a day, and to add interest to the matter Laura was going to sew that very day at Mrs. Gid Smiths, and 1t was dollars to doughnuts that Mrs. Gid hadn't heard word about it, and Henry Popham was her own uncle tool
 So Laura settled herself in the sunny south window of the Smiths sitting room. pinned her knitted pincushion to her apron belt, spread her fashion books on the sewing table and then looked into Mrs. Smiths wide, simple countenance.
 Terrible about your Uncle Henry. wasn't itf" asked Laura.
 At this bombshell Mrs. Smith squeak ed nervously.
 Uncle Henry! Whats happened to him?" she demanded, visions of deep mourning yeils, wreath of carnations carnations were the least costly of winter fiowers-the division of Uncle Henry's money and perhaps herself and family (she had been real good to Uncle Henry. living in Uncle Henry's comfortable house on the Hollow road, whirled through her mind while she waited for Laura's deliberate answer.
 Why, ain't you heard? He's disap- peared.'
 Disappeared! Where toy'
 Nobody knows" went on Laura complacently. Postmaster Brown thinks he might have drowned him. self in the mill pond"
 Mrs. Smith verged on mysteries.
 "Oh, poor, dear Uncle Henryr' she sobbed. T have been expecting most anything to happen to him, he being an old man and living alone.'
 Hes only sixty years old and con- sidered some spry, and, being a cranky old bachelor. he was most comfortable living alone. most likely" retorted Laura. who in her youth had once tried to enSnare Henry Popham's heart and failed. If he did commit suicide guess it wasn't because none of his nieces wouldn't live with him. Laura laughed as she Tipped open one v, Annie. What do you think of these plaited skirts?" she asked.
 Don't talk to me about making up that garnet cashmere" protested Mrs. Smith. rising and twitching the bun dle of dress material from the table. How do I know but I'll have to be wearing black tomorrow? I guess you better fix up my black taffeta. Laura. and press out that mourning veil Do you think you could fuss up that bon net toOs''
 Likely enough" said the chagrinel dressI&aker. for she hated making over" But why don't you wait until you find out if he is dead? MayIe he's only gone visiting somewheres'
 "Visiting. Uncle Henry ain't been outside of Brooklawn for twenty years except over tO Redbridge to the bank Who told you he was miSSing?'
 Your own cousin. Belle Wickham. She was coming out of the house ar ed tO death: said it was all swept clean as pin and the attic door was locked and she was afraid to go up there. He might have hung himself from the rafterS. you know. Annie.
 "SCeufS Belle went over to take him some hot corn bread for his breakfast she certainly does pay him lot of at tention, Annie-and he didn't answer her knock, and so she went in through the sitting room winder and found he hadn't even slept in his bed nor had any breakfast. He just wasn't there. So she came tO the pOstOffice. and Mir Brown said he saw Henry POpham down at the mill pond last night and he rerkuued he'd ended his lonely life
 Mrs. Smith went upstairs and brought down an armful of sOmber hued gar ments. which she piled On the sewing table before the discOmfited dress maker.
 Do the hest you can with 'em. Laura" she said gloomily. i've got to Tn over and see Belle and Sarah Tn.s s:-rss'