The Meeker herald., 1919-08-09

successful, his letter breathing eoc7o
hope and citation.
Vincent Darlington arrived at Lee
willie, found the house locked up and
his sister. who had not known pre-
cisely the day of his return. absent
nursing friend In 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 a 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.
1t was sought to find Upton later. but
he had drifted away. His watch and
other jewelry were found on Darling
ton, and small amount Of money.
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 rela-
tive In the world, homelessness star
Ing her in the face, for she could not
hope to pny OFF 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. Wnldron look
ed over the papers Mt the city office.
giving details OF the suicide.
"June twenty-seventh!" he muir
INJURED. "Just year tonight since
the tragedy occurred"
ave can't give you single room.
Would you mind 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," e.
pressed Wnldron.
"Lct him have twenty-four." spoke
the proprietor in half undertone.
Siding up to the clerk.
.Twenty.four Waldron expert
enced n quick thrill. He distinctly re-
called noticing In the old account OF
the suicide that "a was the number
Of the room Vincent Darlington had
occupied. File felt certain sQueamI
Ishness. Then he drove away the So
rerstitious dread TINT 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.
~ stufry, as though 1t had not been
aircd for some time. He sat in
chair, thinking deeply. for nearly two
hours. Then. without disrobing. he
my down on the bed. Al
He had not intended to 70 .totn ic
but he did. All was
awoke, except IL an .rress'tssn sa
nel' tommy Wy,ldron arose IN ne saw
ne non ,."e in the window ,s,n ~ that !,
through q PAM heavy water p'p et,ring-
cl.ngins to e : wh,tc-fnced; s' s,sred
RIM beside ~ .,,s a man who ss.t,ess
eyed human oe, ,n IKE some re'
within the room
wrath. $3.50 arose, this oeins s,,rd,ins
Az in turn ut.e. c,stter. the va,
shrek. had gwen way. TN the ground
ter p.re had fallen 70
ne,ex;; ,-o, hurried to .,t tn. T Taea man
opened IT ana scross a stretch .s o. room room
I walk. waio o,rs' mast the drow ss ~ III
J down the sta aro,,nd to the SIDE o " II
clerk, and s." The victim ~ FL
building ou QUIZ nine ,ny snsen.,. ,souen
nsen Nth all kinds o. 81, and carried h
=, S ws,dron lifted nun NJ shouted to
nj. into ths hotel. a
tie clerk: ,,rt. perhaps os"s
nds "A Man a, ,as
ace; 70. ~, d 80 not doctor wso opening
you ",,rn Of the acc'os",'
,ss." eyes; .r 1'.t sons exclaimed san the c
ling "sin.k . upt the injured man, "a. d
. few eyes, III .,a room room where r0o ne,
; my hereto the . IT.. Darlington. re !.