The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-21
Continued from our last issue

| went on through the study.
and, lifting the portiere, passed
into the billiard room.
Here | found Gilbert Crane,
alone. and sitting with his face
buried In his hands in an attitude
OF deepest detection.
l suddenly realized that. as
was obliged to speak to Mr.. Max
we'll in a loud voice on account of
his deafness, Mr.. Crane must nee
essarily have heard what | said.
l went on through the drawing
room, across the main hall and
into the music room.
| was dancing with Edith Whit
ing and it CHANGED that we were
just opposite the door into the
hall when Gilbert Crane appeared
in the doorway. His face was
white with terror as he cried:
DIR. Sheldon, Philip and Mil
dred have shot each other. Come
up to the library. Quick"
Although DR.. Sheldon was
quick in summons, | was quicker,
and reached the library door first
with Edith and Tom Whiting
close behind me.
Ny first glance showed me
Philip stretched on the floor. APP
parently dead. and Mildred fallen
in a heap a few feet away. She
had a pistol grasped in her right
hand.
In a moment DR.. Sheldon came
Fastening in. | had expected to
see the whole crowd, but as |
learned afterward. Lord Clarence,
with rare presence of mind, had
insisted nthe guests remaining
downstairs.
DR.. Sheldon gave a quick look
at Philip, and said, gently, "He
is dead"
/ Then he turned to Mildred
! and STOPPING, took her uncon-
scious form in his arms.
"She is not" he said, eagerly.
Telephone for my assistant, Or.
Burton, to come at once and bring
my instruments. | think we can
yet save her life."
DR.. Sheldon, who was acting as
rapidly as he talked. took the
weapon from Mildred's hand and
laid 1t on the table.
Let no one touch that" he
ordered, nor Philip Maxwell's
body. Send for the coroner at
once. Mr.. Crane will you guard
this room? Mr.. King, will you
dismiss the guests and inform
Mr.. Maxwell and his sister what
has happened? Mr.. and Mrs.
Whiting will assist me with Miss
Leslie"
Tom Whiting and the doctor
bore Mildred to her room, and [
went toward Miss Maxwell's door.
But | suddenly thought of Irene
Gardiner, and resolved to tell her
first, thinking she could break
the news to the dear old lady
better than |.
| | stepped out on the front bal
cOny, wondering If would find
her around the corner where |
had left her. but to my surprise
she was seated near the front
window, and was weeping vio-
lently.
Irene" I said, as | touched
her shoulder, Miss Gardiner, do
you know what has happened?"
What" she said, still shaking
with convulsive sobs.
! told her, and her piercing
shrek brought Miss Maxwell to
her door.
Suddenly Miss Gardiner grew
calm, and with a return to her
own tactful manner, she took the
old lady in her arms, and told her
the sad news.
Miss Maxwell tottered, but she
did not faint. Then her loyal
heart prompted her to cry out:
MY brother. Does he know"
NO." | said, "but l will tell
him."
| hurried down stairs and
found Mr.. Maxwell still alone and
undisturbed in his study.
The old man laid down his pa
lper and said
We'll, have you come for our
smoker"
No, Mr.. Maxwell" I said, 81
am the bearer of sad news. Philip
has been hurt"
'E'h?' he said, not quite hear
ing my words.
Phillip has been hurt" re-
peated, shot"
shot" and the old mans face
grew ashy pale.
l had heard hints of heart dis
ease, and | was thoroughly fright
ened. But just then DR.. Burton
came in and l begged him to take
a look at Mr.. Maxwell, even be-
fore he went up stairs to Mildren