The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-05-03

tluCeul 0thhvCN - ASSo-
Vile, found the house locked up and
his sister, who had not known pre-
cisely the day Of his return. absent
nursing friend in a neighboring town.
He went to hotel, was bright and
CHEEKY in meeting his friends and ac-
quaintances, and retired about mid
night. The next morning Vincent Oar
lington was found dead In his bed.
His hand grasped revolver, upon the
handle of which his initials were
scratched. Powder marks showed
around the death wound, indicating
close range explosion, and verdict
of suicide was returned by the cor
oner's jury.
Stricken, crushed as she was, Elva
Darlington resented this decision. She
was able to learn, trying to trace the
movements Of her brother, that where
he changed trains he met Mark Up
ton, now worthless vagabond. he
was seen to give Upton some money.
It was sought to ind Upton later. but
he had drifted away. His watch and
other tewelry were found on Darling
ION, anu d uIuVuht VI ihehNy'
His life was insured for 5000. Elva
being the beneficiary. named, but the
Insurance company resisted payment
on the ground of suicide.
So, Elva was left without a rela-
tive In the world. homelessness star
ing her in the face, for she could not
hope to pay of the mortgage when 1t
was due, and hence the visit Of Ros-
coe WnldrOn.
The latter was in a serious, thought.
full mood as he entered the one no.
tel the town afforded. He noticed the
name across the front, "Sanganash
House." and he remembered that to
be the name of the hotel where Vim
cent Darlington had met his death.
Then he recalled fact that was
startling coincidence. Waldron look
ed over the papers Mt the city ONCE,
giving details OF the suicide.
"June twenty-seventh! he muir
INJURED. aust year tonight since
the tragedy occurred"
ave can't give you single room.
Would you mind a double bedded one?
You see, we are overcrowded on &C.
count Of the farmers convention"
spoke the clerk. when Waldron asked
for accommodations for the night.
II would prefer single ROOM" ex-
pressed Waldron.
"Let him have twenty-four," spoke
the proprietor In a half undertone.
Siding up to the clerk.
"Twenty-four Waldron expert.
enced a quick thrill. He distinctly re-
called noticing Id the old account Of
the suicide that "a was the number
OF the room Vincent Darlington had
occupied. He felt certain squeam-
ishness. Then he drove away the su-
perstitious dread that probably made
the room banal with the direct resi-.
dents Of the district.
Waldron went up to his room after
his evening meal. He found 1t slight
ly stufry. as though It had not Nm
aired for some time. He sat in
chair, thinking deeply. for nearly two
hours. Then. without dIsrobing. he
lay down on the bed.
He had not intended to 60 to sleep,
hut he did. All was still when he
nwoke. except the stroke Of a distant
bell tolling out the hour Of midnight.
He had left the lamp burning. Abrupt.
ly his attention was directed to the
window. as slight noise echoed from
that direction.
With wild start, an irresistible
ejaculation, Waldron arose 10 bed.
Through pane In the window he saw
clinging to q heavy water pipe that
RIM beside It a whitc-faced. staring
eyed human being a man who giared
within the room like some restless
wrath.
As Waldron arose. this being or ap-
partition In turn uttered a curtiling
shrek. There was a clatter. the wa
ter pipe had given way. the uncanny
visitant had fallen to the ground
below.
waldron hurried to the window,
opened 1t and peered below. The man
lay prone across stretch Of brick
walk. Waldron ran from the room,
down the stairs. past the drowsy night
clerk. and around to the side Of the
building outside. The victim Of the
unsafe water pipe lay Insensible. FIJI.
ed with all kinds Of strange thoughts,
Waldron lifted him and carried him
Into tho hotel. He shouted to the
clerk:
"A man hurt, perhaps dying-fend
for doctorl"
ut Is not a doctor I want" gasped
the victim Of the accident. opening his
eyes. "Tm done for"
"Mnrk Upton!" exclaimed the clerk,
recognizing the injured man.
"Yes. II came back. I was driven
hereto the room where robbed and
killed Vincent Darlington. Remorsc
has haunted me. I in turn was robbed
OF the money that tempted me when
Darlington showed It In giving me
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