The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-11-29

detached us from the increasing throng
and drove US gently into private room
at the back Of the store.
Now" said he, turning to us, 'you
two people know each other. I saw
that at q glance. Who are you?"
who am IT. asked the young wo-
man.
YES" said he. you are supposed to
be Mrs. Wilson. No one in this town
knows anything about you. Where
did you come from? Who is Mr.. Will
son, and where is he? Where did you
get the money with which you opened
this store?"
Il decline to answer these questions
she said.
$50 supposed" said he without a
trace OF. annoyance. that's why I
asked them all at once. But you don't
deny that Clifford had been calling on
you and was taken sick up there?''
mo, don't deny it."
Did you give him anything to eat or
drink?".
mo"
AS she made this reply my memory
flashed at once to the glimpse Of her
that ! had had at the window. but
even without the sight Of the wine
glass ! should have known that she
| was not telling the truth.
did he say what seemed to be the
matter with him?"
| Yes; lie was faint. He thought it
was the cigar that he was smoking.
He said his lips felt numb
II thought they looked queer" said
Ford. Here's the cigar" showing US
half OF very small one Il found it
in his pocket. He was going to have 1t
examined, suppose. WE'LL I'll do
that. hut it's poisoned sure enough.
Now he continued, pointing his finger
at the girl, ito whose advantage is this
mans death-to whose advantage?'
Il beg your pardon" said T. "Is this
young lady under arresty'A
At this moment a hasty hand was
laid upon the knob of the door which
communicated with the shop.
| "You can't come in,' said the mar
shal. but he wars mistaken. The lock
of the door burst with rattle Of splin-
ters. and Frank Clifford precipitated
himself into the room.
Cant come in, eh?" said he. "What
do you think about 1t nowy"
He strobe across to the little milliner
and standing beside her, glared at the
marshal. who had not risen from his
chair Or even paused in caressing his
silky mustache
Glad to see you, Mr. Clifford" said
he, speaking through his hand. "Have
a seat and tell us where you got this
cigar that you gave to your uncle"
i BEFORE he could reply the young wo-
man stepped in front Of him, and she
was picture.
mfr. Clifford-Mr. Duncan Clifford
got that cigar here In this store" she
cried. ''He told me so.''
Tho marshal rose and stepped to the
broken door, now guarded on the out.
side by some serviceable citizen who
had appointed himself deputy.
Send Edgeworth in here" said the
marshal. but it appeared that the to-
bacconist-jeweler was not present. Nc
one knew what had become of him.
".Ah, he told you SOL" said the mar
shall. turning to the milliner and calm
ly resuming the conversation. "How
did he happen to do thaty
Il don't remember she answered
''but if the cigar was poisoned know
why. Mr.. Edgeworth has annoyed me
beyond endurance with his attentions
| He knew that Mr.. Duncan Clifford
came to see. me often. He believed thai
preferred Mr.. Clifford, and he hated
him insanely."
IL 80 Mr.. Clifford used to come to set
you? Why?'
ITO persuade me to go away" was
the reply. "He offered me money. Ht
was trying to separate me from
Frank"
ITO give alp Frank?" said the mar
shall What are you to him?'
Il am his wife," she answered, ''bu
!, Mr.. Clifford did not know it,
"And if be had known it Franl
might have lost half million dollars
see.'
The entrance Of Mr. Edgeworth in
terrupted this line Of questioning.
"Ah, Edgeworth; good evening"" sal,
the marshal.
"Good evening, Captain Ford" re
sponded the tObaccOnist In deep
heavy voice that sounded strange fron
! his narrow chest and thin lips.
when did you sell this cigar to Dun
can ClifTord?' y asked Ford
'T never carried these goods" b
! said. Its sort of large tobacco ciga
4 rette, sold eight in a box-a little ii
box. I think they're called the Maj
t quis."
] The marshal turned to Frank.
!, Give NE your cigar case or what
= ever you carry them in," said he.
= .You have no authority" Frank b<
a gan.
n Haven't II" retorted Ford, drawin
: revolver. "You are under arres
e Well search you at the station, and
Il know what we'll find."
"Wait one moment" said Franl
It with more calmness than should hay
e expected OF so excitable a man.
d will admit that I gave that cigar to m
+ uncle after dinner and another like
this evening. I do not believe that
is poisoned. OF course it isn't. ha
g nothing to do with this crime, II it
a a crime, and''-
e II gave him wine in my room," erie
: Esther, panic stricken with fear IL
G the man she loved. "The bottle hs