The Arvada enterprise., 1917-07-26

/ aiflr1nntlNc response lnotlOneu the SerN-
ant to II with IN Imperative hand.
There's n light burning In there still, y
he said you can see II beneath the
door. Better see If perhaps Mr.. Rip
ley hasn't fallen asleep over his work
Mn-tln. . No-go ahead; I'll an
swcr this"
The doorbel had just rung. As the
aged negro scuflled Off toward the H.
braty, Pnrr turned, opened tine front
door, and admitted an urchil wearing
company. This last delivered an
envelope addressed to Miss Patra
I Claiming, pocketed n 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 mt this?"
He took the telegram from her quiv-
crlng hand-and knitted annoyed
brows over 1t.
Newport. June 10, 1916.
Miss Patria Claiming.
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
eioped with Captain Parr.
AMELIA wRENN.
A smile. half-rucful. half of amuse-
mcnt, replaced PARIS frown. He re-
turned the message. The girl impa-
ticntly tore It 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 nshen beneath Its bronze.
Miss Patty. . Lawd, my
Lnwd"
Pnrr's fingers closed impcrativcly up
on the servants wrist.
"Whnt is It? What's happened? Stop
that bowling and tell us ~
ITS stistuh Ripley duid In there
Common impulse moved the two
young people toward the rear of the
hallway, but half way to the Library
door Pnrr checked the girl.
"Spare yourself, Miss Claiming. Let
me go first and have II look around
plcuse!"
II was n spacious chamber, soberly
II richly furnished In an outraged mode
and dominated by II massive chimney
piece Of marble deliberately cnrv@i.
Parr. however. only subconsciously reg
istercd an Impression of Its character.
His interest conferred upon the body
occupied an armchair nj one end of the
table. And II needed no more than /,
glance to assure him that the man was
dead beyond dispute.
His head and arms rested upon the
table. One hand siill grippcd nm auto
mntIc pistol. Near his head rested an
overturned telephone instrument, the
receiver dislodgcd. lie had been muir
dcrcd-shot down while tclephoning.
But he had not died so quickly us to let
his assassin escape: ne had lived long
enough to discharge his own weapon
with dendly effect.
llnlf II dozen feet inside the corpse of
the assassin Inv nsprnwl-ln che east
OF those d.nd features Inrr rcnd ire
futable confirmation of his grimmest
bccn-n Jipnncsc.
Turning IN the servant sharply. Parr
siillcd his lamentations with brusque
command.
stop that horrible noise. Martin :
DO you wish Miss Claiming To hear
youi Now tell me: where can
"" put these bodies out Of her sightI'
Tn" negro designated the drawing
room which communicated with tn. II.
brnry 10y sliding doors: thithcr they
bore and there left III. bodies. Then
returning, rnrr ordered the communi.
eating doors closed. and for n moment
hcsitnicd. obviously examining n fat
sealed envelope which he had found
In the pocket Of the dressing gown
worn by the ill.stnrred Mr.. Ripley.
1t was supcrscribcd In the firm. min.
nj" writing ~ n strong old hand: "for
Miss fniriu hnnnlng-rrlvntc X Con.
iid-ntinl."
lie returned to III. hallway. Al sight
Of his grnvrly troubled couutcnnncc
rntrin ros" quickly from II chair and
came 10 him with nm imploring GEES.
tiirr.
Prepare your self" he said. "your
guardian Inns been assnsslnntcl-by "A
Japanese. II" LETT you this perhaps IL
explains.
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.
My Dear Ward: Tomorrow. your
twenty first birthday. viii iind you III.
Inst Of "1hc Fighting Chnnnings" On
TINT day you viii legally become your
own mistress and viii b. relieved Of
the guardianship OF yourself and your
fortunc-ono 81 the greatest fortunes
In the United States II not IN nll IN.
world.
| write. rather than wait To com.
munlcntc what have to say. bccnus.
live In the shadow OF dcnth. | mny
not live 10 see you. personally 10 nc.
count Ia you for my stewardship
may not live to see tomorrow's dawn.
My life II strangely incnnccd-cvcn ns
I . A.. A