The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-02-09
The Popham
Mystery
Its Solution Was to Say
the Least a Surprise
By CLARISSA MACKIE

Such a tidbit of news had not trembled
on the tip Of her sharp tongue fol
many a day. and TO add interest to the
matter Laura was going to sew that
very day at Mrs. Gid Smiths. and II
was dollars to doughnuts that Mrs
Gid hadn't heard word about 1t. and
Henry Popham was her own uncle too
So Laura settled herself In the sunny
south window Of the Smiths sitting
room, pinned her knitted pincushion
to her apron belt. spread her fashion
books on the sewing table and then
looked into Mrs. Smiths wide. simple
countenance.
Terrible about your Uncle Henry
wasn't itf" asked Laura.
At this bombshell Mrs Smith squeak.
ed nervously
Uncle Henry. What's happened 10
himf" she demanded. visions Of deem
mourning wells, a wreath of carnations
carnations were the least costly OF
winter fiowers-the division OF Uncle
Henry's money and perhaps herself
and family (she had been real good TO
Uncle Henry. living in Uncle Henry's
comfortable house on the Hollow road,
whirled through her mind while she
waited for Laura's deliberate answer.
why. amt you heard? He's disap-
peared"
Disappeared Where tor
Nobody knows, went on Lauro
complacently. POSTMASTER Brown
thinks he might have drowned him.
self In the mill pond"
Mrs. Smith verged on Mysteries
oh. poor, dear Uncle Henryr' she
sobbed. Il have been expecting most
anything to happen to him. he being
an old man and living alone"
Hes only sixty years old and con.
siuered some spry. and. being a cranky
OLD bachelor. he was most comfortable
living alone, most likely" retorted
Laura. who In her youth had once
trled TO ensnare Henry Popham's
heart and failed. "If he did commit
suicide guess 1t wasn't because none
or his nieces wouldn't live with bi,o"
Laura laughed as she flipped open one
or the fashion magazines. Look here
Annie. What do you think of these
plated skirtsY she asked.
Don't talk to me about making nm
that garnet cashmere" protested Mrs
smith, rising and twitchlng the bun.
Ole or dress material from the tablo
How do | know but I'll have m ho
wearing black tomorrow? guess you
better fix up my black taffeta, Laura.
ana press out that mourning veil. Do
you think you could fuss up that bon.
net too?"
Likely enough" said the chagr,ned
dressmaker. for she hated making
over. But why don't you wait until
you ma out II he is dead? Maybe he's
only gone visiting somewheres."
visiting! Uncle Henry amt been
outside OF Brooklawn for twenty wears
except over to Redbridge to the bank
Who told you he was mlssing?"
your own cousin. Belle Wickham
She was coming out OF the house scar.
ed to death; said 1t was all swept
lean as a pin and the attic door was
ockeu ana she was afraid to go up
here. He might have hung himself
rom the rafters. you know, Annie.
Seems Belle went over to take him
ome hot corn bread for his breakfast |
'he certainly does pay him lot of Mt.
ention. Annie-and he didn't answer
Ter knock. and so she went In through |
ne sitting room winder and found be |
iaun even slept I'm his bed nor had |
my breakfast He just wasn't there.
20 she came TO the postoffce. and Mr.
5rown said he saw Henry Popham
Iown at the mill pond last night and
e reckoned he'd ended his lonely life"
Mrs Smith went upstairs and brought
own an armful OF somber hued gar.
nents. which she piled on the sewing
abie before the discounted dress.
maker
DO the best you can with ,em
aura. she said gloomily. i've got
Q go over and see Belle and Sarah
Mrs. Smith hustled heavily away. and
resently Laura saw her going ont
through the gate, wrapped in a heavy
ianket shawl She went down the
Dad toward Belle Wickham's. and the
ressmaker was compelled to attack
ne venerable taffeta dress and waited
'ith what patience she could for the
aturn OF Henry Popham's niece.
II was II o'clock when Annie Smith
sturned. and her eyes were red with
'eeping.
nat newsf" asked Laura eagerly
i guess poor Uncle Henry's gone"
ghed Annie. sitting down In the Bo,.
m rocker and unpinning her shawl
went over to Bellies. and Sarah was
'ere. Seems James whalen met On.
e Henry last night In Redbridge; and.
aura, he was standing on the bridge
'er the falls. and James says he look
despondent" Mrs. Smith went
'islly for few moments: then she I
led her tears and went on. so we {
iephoned TO Redbridge and Just han I
med TO catch Gideon at Meek's bo. :
4"