Charlevoix county herald., 1918-03-08

IJpresume It was written by-by his
order. Whyf"
"Because I have notes written by
the same hand. and they are import
ant In an affair of serious nature"
1 had said nothing to her of the st.
Dunstan mystery; did not wish 10
now
Can you be certain OF this. Mr..
Gilmore?"
81 am certain" / replied with de-
cision. This was a typewriter OF dis
tinguishing characteristics" l pulled
the notes Marcus had left me from
my jocket. Look at the small 'o's',"
said, handing them to her.
"The letter cut the paper. but might
that not happen often?" she 'queried
but she was impressed by the similar
ity not less than by the portent of the
messages: Look at John Gilmore's
revolver for evidence In the St Dun
stan mystery" and SEARCH John Gil
more's apartment for evidence in st.
Dunstan murder"
1T is the indication OF WORKOUT
ribbon under the heavy fingers OF q
novice at the machine. Alone 1t would
not be convincing, but here We have
the identical paper, the same faded
purple ribbon, an even length of typed
line, the same weakness OF stroke at
the top OF each capital. There can be
no doubt, Miss Reade."
"And you know who wrote these!"
she asked.
l shook my head.
"Then tell me their meaning" she
said.
hesitated. In one moment Isa-
belle Reade had become linked with
the tragedy on which / had turned my
back, pushed from out my life, almost
run away to avoid. The girl sitting,
now pale-faced. before me, with her
missing friends, her Greek church
wedding. her lonely journey to for.
eign land, was an important factor In
the st. Dunstan mystery. l must de-
eide now whether should be mail
clad knight on piebald steed or
dead-head passenger on the Thurston
liner Wilton.
"lfiss Reade," said, ignoring her
question, "if convinced of it's vital i'm
portance to yourself, could you con-
fide the secret of which you have
spoken, give me the reasons for your
journey here?"
NO." she said softly. mot even II
1t Is vitality important to you-as these
Indicate" She pointed to the notes.
ut is hard for me to have to say that.
Mr.. Gilmore"
Il know. Please do not think Of me
in the matter. Fortunately / am not
involved, but fear that In some way
you are. do wish you could answer
even few of the questions which are
in my mind"
She shook her head, and her mouth.
which l had thought almost too per
feet in softness of line and beauty Of
color. became firm and strong.
4 may not be questioned, Mr.. Gil
MORE" she said decidedly; then,
please do not make me seem horrid.
but, truly, cannot answer"
Were you going back to your home
tomorrow" / asked, hardly realizing
that i was doing what she had forbid
den.
She biz her lip to hold back tears
which trembled behind the eyelids.
but the negative shake of her head
was firm refusal to answer. quick
ly apologized, Withdrawing the Ques-
ton, explaining had not intended to
crosS-examine. Il was only planning
for your safety-trying to find way
out" | said.
II know you are thinking of me-"
she almost whispered, land that
makes it all the harder to have to de-
ny you. Will YOU please take me to
my hotel?"
'Sit down." l ordered, and she
dropped back into the chair almost be-
fore she had left 1t. when leave
you tonight. Miss Reade, I am going
to be sure that no such-such accident
happens as the St. Dunstan affair.
You are alone in this city except for
me. I must be regarded by you as
your guardian"
What was the st. Dunstan acct
dent" she asked. and her face was
pale.
Are you brave enough to face .
horror?" asked in return.
What is it," she cried. II am not
brave-not brave at ALL"
There is woman-a young wom-
an lying dead at the morgue. wish
you to see her"
The tears broke through her calm,
and she wiped her eyes on the napkin
until / forced my handkerchief into
her fingers. Francis, lowering near,
looked at me with suspicion, and
sent him away for cognac.
"You know that would not suggest
this unless l believed II absolutely
necessary" i continued, holding my
self back from the inclination to
soothe her fears and wipe her tears
away, forcing myself to cool imperson- |
ality, to hardness of voice and man.
ner. But 1t must be done, Miss
Reade, and now-tonight. Will you |
try to be strong7 Pull yourself to-
gether. please"
She made the effort and her tears |