Middletown transcript., 1918-05-11

own room. And then she watched for
Jack from a window that commanded
the street.
Barrow appeared at last. She went
down to meet him before he rang the
bell. Just behind him came tall
man in gray suit. This individual
turned in at the gate, bestowing nod
upon Barrow and keen glance at her
as he passed.
"That's Grinell, from the Times"
Barrow muttered sourly. "Come on;
let's get away from here. l suppose
he's after you for an interview"
Hazel turned in beside him silently.
Right at the start she found herself
resenting Barrow's tone, his manner.
She had done nothing to warrant sus-
picion from him. But she loved him,
and she hoped she could convince him
that it was no more than a passing I'M
pleasantness, for which she was no
wise to blame.
"Hang it," Barrow growled, before
they had traversed the first block.
"Here comes Grinell! suppose that
old cat Of landlady pointed us out.
No lodging him now"
-seThere's no earthly reason why I
should dodge him, as you put It," Ha-
eel replied stif1y. "I'm not an escaped
criminal"
Barrow shrugged his shoulders In a
way that made Hazel bring her teeth
together and want to shake him.
Grir IL by then was hurrying up
with long strides. Hat in hand, he
bowed to her. Miss Hazel Weir. I
believer" he Intercepted.
eyes," she confirmed.
I'm on the Times, Miss Weir"
Grinell went straight to tine business In
hand. "You are aware, I presume,
that Mr.. Andrew Bush willed you a
sum Of money under rather peculiar
conditions-that is, the bequest was
worded in a peculiar way. Probably
YOU have seen reference to 1t in the
papers. 1t has caused great deal Of
interest. The Times would be pleased
TO have a statement from you which
will tend to set at rest the curiosity Of
the public. Some Of the other papers
have INDUCED in unpleasant innuendo.
We would be pleased to publish your
side of the matter"
81 have no statement to make" Ha-
eel said coolly. II am not in the least
concerned with what the papers print
or what the people say. l absolutely
refuse to discuss the matter"
Grinell continued to point out-with
the persistence and persuasive logic of
good newspaper man bent on learn
ing what his paper wants to know
the desirability Of her giving forth a
statement. And in the midst Of his
argument Hazel babe him a curt good
evening" and walked on. Barrow kept
step with her. Grinell gave 1t up for
bad job, evidently, for he turned
back.
| They walked five blocks without a
word. Hazel glanced at Barrow now
and then, and observed with an uncom-
Portable sinking Of the heart that he
was sullen, openly resentful, suspi-
ciOus.
| "Johnnie-boy," she said suddenly,
don't look so cross. Surely you don't
blame me because Mr.. Bush Wills me a
sum Of money q a way that makes
people wonder?
II can't understand it at ALL" he
said slowly. 'It's very peculiar-and
deucedly unpleasant. Why should he
leave you money at all? And why
should he word the will as he did,
What wrong did he ever do your"
"None," Hazel answered shortly. His
tone wounded her, cut her deep, SO
eloquent was it of distrust. "The only
wrong he has done me lies in willing
me that money as he did"
"But there's an explanation for
that" Barrow declared moodily.
There's a key to the mystery. and II
anybody has 1t you have. What Is 1T