El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-06-12
CHATTER LIV.

ARY BAIRD remained in the des-
M o., oiats Reeves home. She had re
4 4 turned here after the funeral as
il it were the natural thing for her to
do. She must have strong nerves, de-
clared her neighbors, or she would
never have gone back to that dreadful
place. Yet, what else was there for her
to do2 It was her hone-at least until
matters were settled about the estate.
Mary Baird's manner was noe such as
TO encourage questions. It was not
strange that she should appear grave
and stern. She had lost her best friend,
the villagers said. Nobody knew what
would happen to her in the future-un-
less Augustus Reeves had left some
thing 20 her in his will It would have
been a kind thing for him to do
This would. under ordinary circum-
stances. have been a topic OF universal
interest and speculation in the village
Now, however. It was oversnadoWed by
the dark rumors and suspicious with re-
gard TO Jane Reeves
Mary. shut into the lonely mousse,
heard none Of these rumors until some
days after her employers funeral As
she had been one OF the last persons 10
learn OF his engagement 10 Jane HARDY,
so now she was among the last TO learn
of the suspicious about his young wife.
And. as in the former case. she heard
the gossip from neighbor.
This neighbor had been at the rail-
road station when a telegram came for
Mrs. Mary Baird The station agent,
knowing that the mans road home took
him past the Reeves farm. asked him II
he would mind leaving this telegram
Not Possible.
Unless you're afeard of the ghosts
that may be wandering around there
he
Then he dropped his voice 10 am vs.
teriOus whisper. I suppose you've
heard the latest, haven't you
The other nodded Yes. but don't
believe it can be true Do you
1T don't seem possible she am I
that kind always liked Jane
so did / But nObody's seen much
Of her since her marriage. She's Just
stayed kinder shut-in, as you might
say"
well that was his fault. I guess.
not hers" the agent replied, Here
comes the down-freight, So long,
He had been too much absorbed IN
the latest scandal TO mention that there
might be a bit of interesting informa-
ton for Mary Baird in the telegram ad-
dressed to her It is to be doubted IL
he would have been averse to disclosing
the purpOrt Of the dispatch and eN-
changing sPeculations with ms erony
as to who the sender might be-
Mary Baird came 10 the kitchen door
at the sound of approaching wheels
She nodded unsmilingly to teh occupant
Of the wagon
Here's a telegram for you" he said.
handing il TO her. Then. as she muir
INJURED a brief thank yout" and turned
70 20 back into the house he checked
4 suppose you've heard the Iatest2~
he questioned
She looked at him inquiringly. but
did not speak. Her immobility irrltated
him
YOU won't mention my name as havin /
told you. though I guess it amt any
secret now-that suspicious are about
settled on Jane"
1Suspicions2" she repeated family.
s'TOr the Murder
yes. for the murder, you know They
say that If she does get well she'll be I
Horrible. amt ito he asked
NO. it's not horrible" she answered /
in a low tone. for its not possible She !
never could have done it."
That's what I say" the neighbor !
agreed. 1T was some robber-thats I
who il was He got in downstairs some I
Gus forgot to lock one OF 4
the doors that highland heI mean /
The burgler-stOpped in the kitchen on [
his way in and got that knife out OF ]
the drawer. Then he's done his deed. /
And Jane. she's heard Gus make some !
notes.-the noise you say you heard. too /
"a yell OF something-and when shes I
run in with a light and seen him a-lay- /
in there murdered she's just gone Off !
her head-that's what And the burglar. /
learin' her comm. Whv-he went of IN l
a hurry without stoppin' for the watcn 4
1r money he come after"