South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-22


the Cosgrove farmhouse in the Cat
skill mountains; the woman who
had tried 10 skater my nerves by
a relentless tracking of my move
ments and a mad attempt TO disfg-
ure me with acid-clippings such as
these OF a spy's execution
and a hideous black hand murder
would be just the sort OF thing she
would enjoy.
But only a few weeks before.
when Katherine Sonnot. my brother
cousins little hancee, had provi-
dentially saved me from hideous
Disagreement At her hands. Kath-
crimes trained eyes-she was &C
counted one of the best nurses in
the city-had discovered that the
woman was a drug addict. She had
used the knowledge. togeti er with
the dread Of punishment Tor the at
tempted crime, TO force Mrs. Allis
TO consent to enter a private sani-
tarium for unfortunates where
AtAL AA4h "a AAolN0GAA VI III Va
the rooms. Katherine and / had
taken her there ourselves. II she
had been dismissed or had escaped,
surely Katherine would have been
notified and would have al once got
ten into communication with me.
The First Obstacle.
There was but one thing TO be
H. 600. TrAaI-.-- -
once. I didn't dare trust 10 the
telephone with my mother-in-law
and. Cousin Agatha in the house. and
the booth in the local drug store
was about as bad. / was certain that
one Of the local operators, a girl
living not far from us. listened in
Systematically. and / could imagine
the tidbit of scandal she would have
II l told my story over the telephone
TO Katherine.
/ looked at my watch. IL / hur-
ried L could catch the moo train.
/ had ar unusually large hand bag.
and a sudden impulse made me put
one Of my crepe nightdresses, which
l could fold into a very small space.
and a few necessary toilet articles
into it. l did not forsee any emer-
gency that would keep me in the
city. But I might not be able 10
see Katherine until late, and I could
easily telephone out home ! was
staying with her so no one would
be alarmed.
\, l went down stairs with as casual
an air as | could manage. ] dread
ed Cousin Agatha's cat-like scrutiny.
the inference | knew she would
draw from my trip TO town follow
ing so closely upon my receipt Of
the two mysterious letters.
lis there anything you want in
the city, mother" | asked Mother
Graham. who sat toasting her feet
before the coal CRATE in the din
ing room, the only fireplace we yet
had been able to make draw in the
house we had bought.
why? Are you going in ?" She
looked up %astonished and with a
hint of disapproval I have learn
ed that anything unexpected an
noys Mother Graham think it
does most old people. Isn't this
something sudden? Dicky didn't
know you were going this morning.
did he?"
l wanted 10 smile at her early
Victorian attitude. but | knew bet
Ter than to let any hint Of
ment appear even in my eyes. IL
only I could get away without any
comment from Cousin Agatha,
Yes. think ne does" | re-
turned with a half truth. Il told
him the other day I thought I would
go in either today or tomorrow. 1
want 10 look al some draperies."
Mother Graham Decides.
Ny mother-in-iaw drew her feet
down from the fender and arose de-
cisively.
Fortunately. I'm all dressed eN-
cept my coat and hat she said.
And 1 certainly want TO see any
draperies for this house before You
purchase them. Want TO go along.
Agatha - She turned with a rather
grudging manner 20 her cousin.
80. thank YOU" The words
came from the min fps as il they
had been shipped OF w:tk sharp
shears. I'm sure lear Margaret
doesn't need or desire eit'er YOUR
company or mine IN her rip 20 the
city. or our assistance in selecting
d~ra?erjes."
the tone III which me words
were couched was dipped w:-h We