The Elbert County tribune., 1917-06-29

affirmative response motioned the serv-
ant to, 1t with az imperative hand.
There's light burning in there still, y
he said: "you can see it beneath the
door. Better see II perhaps Mr.. Rip
ley hasn't fallen asleep over his work,
Masfin. j.. No-go ahead: I'll an
swer this
The doorbell had Just rung. As the
age6 negro scuflled or toward the IL
brny, Parr turned, opened the front
door, and admitted an urchil wearing
the livery of n wellknown telegraph
company. This last delivered an
envelope addressed to Miss Patria
Cumming. pocketed tip. and returned
to the street. Captain Parr cooked an
attentive ear toward the library while
the girl hastily scanned her telegram.
what nonsense. Captain Parr-will
you please look at thls?"
He took the telegram from her quiv-
ering hand-and knitted annoyed
brows over 1t.
Newport. June 10. 1916
Miss Patria Claiming.
2 East Tenth Street. N. Y. City.
Distracted Why did you run away to-
night without explanation? Rodney fol-
lows by first morning train. Please wire
prompt denial. Rumors current here you
eloped with Captain Parr
AMELIA WRENN.
A smile. half-rueful. half of amuse-
turned the message. The girl impa-
tiently tore 1t up and committed its
offensive fragments to the floor.
She was startled by cry throaty
with terror. Martin tottered out Of the
library door, his limbs trembling, his
face ashen beneath its bronze.
Miss Pattyl o Lawd, my
Lawd"
PARIS fingers closed imperatively up
on the servants wrist.
"what is it? What's happened? Stop
that bowling and tell US -
IT'S Mistuh Ripley daid in there
:"
Common impulse moved the two
young people toward the rear of the
hallway, but half way to the library
door Purr checked the girl.
"Spare yourself. Miss Claiming. Let
me 20 first and have u look around
pleasei"
1t was spacious chamber. soberly
IL richly furnished in nm outaged mode
and dominated by a massive chimney
piece of marble deliberately carved
Pnrr, however, only subcorsciously reg
istered an impression of its character.
His interest centered upon the body
of gentleman of advanced years that
ocflipipd an armchair. ot ono an1 nf tho
table. And 1t taneeded no more than n
glance to assure him that the man was
dead beyond dispute.
His head and arms rested upon the
table. One hand still gripped an auto
matte pistol. Near his head rested an
overturned telephone instrument, the
receiver dislodged. He had been mur-
dered-shot down while telephoning
But he had not died so quickly as to let
his assassin escape; he had lived long
enough to discharge his own weapon
with deadly effect.
Half a dozen feet aside the corpse of
the assassin law asprawl-ln the cast
of those dead features Parr read ire
futable confirmation Of his grimmest
suspicious; the assassin was-had
been-a Japanese.
Turning on the servant sharply, Parr
stilled his lamentations with brusque
command.
"Stop that horrible noise. Martin |.
Do you wish Miss Charming to hear
you? Now tell me: where can
we put these bodies out of her sight?"
The negro designated the drawing
room which communicated with the IL
brary by sliding doors; thither they
bore and there left the bodies Then
returning, Parr ordered the communi-
eating doors closed and for a moment
hesitated, obviously examining u fat
sealed envelope which he had found
in the pocket OF the dressing gown
worn by the ill-stnrred Mr.. Ripley.
1t was superscribed in the firm, min
ute writing of u strong old hand: For
Miss Patria Channing-Private & Con-
fidential."
He returned to the hallway. AT sight
of his gravely troubled countenance
Patria rose quickly from chair and
came to him with an imploring ges-
ture.
Prepare YOURSELF" he said, ''your
guardian has been assassinated-by II
Japanese. He left you this perhaps 1t
explains. :"
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.
My Dear Ward: Tomorrow. your
twenty-first birthday, will find you the
last of ''The Fighting Channings' On
that day you will legally become your
own mistress and l will BE relieved of
the guardianship of yourself and your
fortune-one of the greatest fortunes
In the United States If not In all the
world.
write, rather than wait to com
municate whit l have 10 say. because |