Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-24
1919. BY Robert NJ. Moprld. Co
THIS STARTS THE STORY

THIS STARTS THE STORY
A dinner party is being held at the
home Of Colonel and Mrs. Ledyard.
Among those present are their daugh-
ter, Trixy; her friend, Bebe Cowless;
Nicely Swarthmore, Wendlc Brad
Mrs, Hartshorne's past history is
clothed in mystery. In her pres
ence mention is made Of the release
from prison of the president of the
Riyerton Bank after serving four
years of a twenty year sentence tor
conversion of the banks funds. Mrs.
Hartshorpe suddenly leaves under the
pretense Of a severe headache. she
Is accompanied by Swarthmorc, who
expresses his love for her and OBJ
tains her promise of marriage. she
sees face at the window when
fills her with terror, the significance
of which is not revealed. Swarth
more has Tilted Trixy, who says she
abhors him. Mrs. Hartshornc is
found dead on the floor in the morn
ing by her suspiciously acting French
maid, Matilde. Detective Paul Har-
yey, Chief Burke, Coroner Craven
shaw and a policeman arrive on the
scene. Matilde is questioned altSr ,.,
recovering from a fainting spell. The
officers believe she is concealing in
formation from them. Various facts
concerning Mrs. Hartshorne's man
ner of living and events occurring
in her apartment are brought out
nv the questioning Of other servants,
including Rose Adare, social sec
retary, who informs the officers that
some Of her clients have tried to
pump her concerning Mrs. Hart
shorne.
AND HERE 1T CONTINUES
"WHo trisd'' he asked. s,I.. ,.- on.
Mrs. Bebe Cowles. And then lately Miss
Ledyard." Rose paused and added
quickly: "Of course, they were all
more or less curious, Mrs. Hartshornc
beinr a newcomer and alone, but there
was nothing ] could have told them
aver if I had wanted to. In all her
correspondence l have never seen
letter from anywhere but East ,
opolis: and then only the most formal
of social notes and tradcsmcn, S re-
ce;nts 1t came to me like slap IN
the face Just before you called me III
here that ! didn't know thing ABOUT
Mrs. Hartshornc l hadn't 'earnea u
thing more about her private analrs'
or her people, or where she came from
than I knew the first day l came 10
her"
corner of her left eye; you must nave
noticed it." Paul remarked when she
had paused again for breath. pid
she ever offer any explanation of 1t!
eyes. She told me it was cut from
fying glass in an automobile accident,
but she didn't say where. It's an ola
scar, so it must have happened several
years ago. ] could tell she'd had
treatment to get rid Of it, but 1t was
too deep
.'Did you observe anything else about
her?'' 49,,
"well, she had the most beautiful
hands 1 ever saw, poor thing iheS
were white and soft, but firm, and the
fingers were long and slim aud taper
ing, and as strong as wire. she had
an odd trick, too, of curling the little
finger Of her right hand; she saw me
noticing it one day and said it came
from practicing on the piano, though l
never heard her play. 1t was easy
to see she had never done any hard
work, not even played athletic games
like golf or tennis.
'Did she ever seem particularly IN
terested in any one thing; fad or
hobby"
ssNothing but money" Rose caught
the look which passed between her IN
terrogators and hastily amended her
reply. "I don't mean that she was
ayaricious! I never saw woman SO
careless about her jewels and she said
there was always a lot Of loose money
In the house. She paid my salary
promptly without any haggling, and she
was more than generous, too, with her
charity subscriptions.
''But you say she was interested only
in money!" =,
'I meant financial things; the stock
market was a kind of a passion with
her. I've heard her phone her broker,
Colonel Ledyard, and give him orders
for deals involving thousands Of dol
lars, For all she was gentle and soft
and womanly she had head for bust
ness that many a man would envy.
"Do you remember when she first
spoke Of the money she kept in the
house?"
Eyes, Mr.. Harvey. 1t was on Wed
nesday morning when l found the re-
yolyer under a pile Of magazines on the
bedstand, and nearly jumped out OF m!
skin! She laughed and said it WASH
loaded; that she kept it to frighter
burglars away. That is how she cam'
to mention the money"
.'Now, Miss Adare," Paul returned
abruptly to his first line Of attack
..there is one point which could no
have escaped you. Mrs. HartshOrne,
understand, was a widow. Did sh
have any especial admirer among tn
men she knew? Any suitor, let US say|
Rose shook her head.
'I-I don't know. I heard gossip
now and then, among my other clients
and flowers were often sent to her Will
/ happened to be here at different time
sometimes two or three separate boxe
In one morning; but I never kneN
from whom they came"
''And this gossip which you heard
did it concern any one man in particu
lar?' Paul insisted,
The girls square little chin obtrud
ed itself.
'1t was merely gossip. no scandal
Mr.. Harvey, and I'd rather not say
realize thoroughly how serious thi
case is, but it's all the more reaso
why I shouldn't drag any one int
notoriety, to say nothing of losing m
best clients"
you've answered my questions,
Paul's gentle brown eyes grew swift
s,srn. sFWho was the man, Miss Adare