Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-09-22


AS the machine drew up to the Ele.
gancia, Jimmy Knight leaped to the
running board and said hurriedly:
Send your driver away"
Merkle did as he was directed, realix.
ing his worst fears When he and Jim
stood alone on the walk he inquired
weakly, rs he-dead"
Jim shook his head and Merkle saw
that he was deeply agltated. mo.
But he's got bullet in his chest"
Together the men entered the build.
ing and at the first ring were admitted
to Apartment No. l by Lorelei herself.
She led them straight into the library.
Perhaps quarter of an hour had
elapsed since the shooting, but Jarvis
Harmon still sat In the big chair. He
was breathing quietly. Bob Wharton
stood beside him.
John" The ironmaster smiled pal
Idly as his friend came and knelt be-
side him. You got here quickly"
Are you badly hurt, Jarvis?"
"The thing is In here somewhere"
Harmon took his hand away from his
breast, and Merkle saw that the fingers
were bloody. Can you get me out Of
here quietly?"
John Merkle rose to his full height,
his lips writhed back from his teeth.
Harshly he inquired: Where Ia that
woman
She's back yonder in her ROOM"
Bob told him. "She's ILL.,"
Merkle turned, but, reading his in
tent, Harmon checked him, crying in
strong voice: None of that, John. I
did II myself 1t was an--accident."
II don't believe It."
lannon's eyes met those Of his ac-
cuser; the two stared at each other
steadily for moment.
The other occupants Of the room had
listened breathlessly; now Lorelei
sxrred and Merkle read more than
mere bewilderment in her face. He
opened his lips, but the wounded man
did not wait for him to speak.
you must believe me!' he said, ear
nestly. ITS the truth, and l won't
have Lilas involved-weve been a
great deal to each other. Tonight
accused her wrongfully. 1t was all my
fault-I'm TO blame for everything"
There was pause. Now get me out
of here as quietly and quickly as you
can. I'm really not hurt much. Come,
come! There's nobody home except
Orson and some OF the kitchen help,
and Orson Is all right--the women are
gone, you know. He'll get a doctor.
It's a-bad business, of course, but I've
thought it all out, and you must do ex-
actly as | say"
The effort OF this long speech told on
the sufferer.
Sweat beaded his face; nevertheless,
his jaws remained firmly set; his
glance was purposeful, his big hands
were gripped tightly over the arms of
the chair, There was something su-
perb. something terrible about his un-
changing grimness.
rs your car outside, john he
asked
Merkle shook his head. He WAS
thinking swiftly. II wouldn't dare risk
that, anyhow. The driver Is a new
man
Get cab" jim offered, In a panic.
"The cab driver would be sure to-"
"Ill drive" Bob volunteered. Pm
drunk, but I've done II before when
l was drunken. It's an old trick of
mlne-sort Of joke, see? Give me
some money--a cabby'll do anything
for money at this time o. night"
Merkle eyed the speaker in momen-
tary doubt, then handed him a roll of
bank-notes ITS serious business,
Bob, but Jarvis can't stay here. There's
somebody else to consider besides US
and-NIiss Lynn. I'm thinking about
Mrs Harmon and the girls He fol-
lowed Bob to the door and let him out.
stepped swiftly down the hall, then,
without knocking, opened the door to
Lllas Lynn's bedroom and entered.
Lilas was busted at her dressing At
his entrance she uttered a frightened
cry and silver spoon slipped from her
nerveless fingers Merkle saw little
open box, glass Of water, the cap of
a pearl-and-gold fountain pen, but took
scant notice Of them, being too deeply
stirred and too much surprised at her
appearance. She was no longer the vi