Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-14

schuyler's. Miss Winnie Calhoun. Ches.
ter's sister, acts as secretary to Mrs
'' Mrs. sc fhsyR1ff learns that v,cky Var
was not the terror some people thought
her to be and would like the case hush.
ed n %Pmshe does %s. not want santcb publicity as yickx
Van who can't be found
Mrs. Schuyler and Mr.. Calhoun re-
S Sonn r Letters rs Y fTom Miss hege Van gbe and d. Cal Sn.
expectedly meets her: she begs of him
not to tell and secretly makes her. exit.
Fleming Stone. expert detective. is en-
gagged to run her down. He gets a clue
and is convinced that she is disguised
and living in town.
CHAPTER XVIII (Continued)
Tibbetts went away, and Ruth said
explanatorily, my maid is a treasure.
I'd like to have her live here, but
she is devoted to her own little roof
ble." 5, -,
1 knew Tibbetts had a home over
on Second or Third avenue, and I
thought it kind of Ruth to indulge
her in this. But after a change, Of
domicile herself perhaps Ruth would
arrange differently for her maid. And.
too. az Winnie had often told me of
Ruth's cleverness and efficiency in
looking after herself and her belong
ings, I well knew she could get along
without a maid whenever necessary.
Did you ever trace that picture in
Mr.. schuyler's watch?" Ruth asked,
a few moments later.
Yes" said. ut was just as we
supposed. A little vaudeville actress
whom Mr.. Schuyler had taken out to
supper gave it to him, and he stuck
1t in his watch case, temporarily. Her
name is Dotty Fay Inc she seemed to
know little about Mr.. Schuyler and
cared less. Merely the toy of an ven
ing. she was to him, and merely a
chance that the picture was in his
watch the night of his visit to Vicky
VANS"
We had come to discuss the per-
sonal matters of Randolph Schuyler
thus freely, for. we were all at one in
our search for the truth. and there
! were no secrets or evasions among us.
Ruth sighed, but I knew her dear
face so well now that l realized 1t was
not from personal sorrow. but a gen.
eral regret that a man of %Schuyler's
ability and power should have been
such a weakling, morally. 1 knew she
had never loved her husband, hut she
had been a faithful and dutiful wife.
and no word or hint had ever escaped
her lips regarding him. She had. been
a martyr, but l hadn't learned this
from her. The sisters, though uncon-
~sciously, told me much of the de-
prlvation and narroWness of Ruth's
life Schuyler had ruled her with a
rod of iron, and she had never re-
belled, though at times her patience
was nearly worn out.
Later in the evening Fibsy asked
for some photograph music, express
ing his great delight in hearing a
really fine instrument and good rec
ords.
Il doubt if you'll care for our Sc.
lections," Ruth remarked, as she
looked over the cabinet of records.
fashioned songs"
II like the classical kind" Fibsy
said. endeavoring to be agreeable.
Please play the gayest o have.
But there were few "gay" ones in
the collection. Wagner's operas and
Beethoven's solemn marches gave
forth their noble numbers and Fibsy
sat, politely listening.
after a, particularly depressing fugue
resounded its last echoes.
NO" and Ruth glanced at him.
Mr.. Schuyler didn't care for a
time-on the photograph" she adj
We stayed late. Several times Stone
proposed our departure, but Ruth
urged us to remain longer or began
some subject of interest that held us
in spite of ourselves. I had never seen
her SO entertaining Indeed. I had
never before seen her in what might
be called a society setting: She was a
charming hostess, and the occasion
seemed to please her, for there was
a pink flush on her cheeks and an
added brightness to her gray eyes
that convinced me anew of the 10y
she could take in simple pleasures.
She singled out Fibsy for her es-
pecial attentions. and the boy accept
astounded me-. When talking to her
he lost entirely his slang and uncouth
diction and behaved as to the man.
ner BORN He was chameleonic, I
could see, and he unconsciously took
color from his surroundings.
And sometimes I caught him gaz-
ing at Ruth with a strange expression
that mingled amazement and sadness,
and 1icouldn't understand it at all.
Again, I would find Ruth's eyes
fixed on me with. a beseeching glance
that might mean anything or moth
ing.
AS a whole the atmosphere seemed
surcharged with a nameless excite
ment, almost a terror. ~ II some-
thing dire were impending. Once or
twice I saw Stone and Terence ex-
change startled glances, but they
rarely looked at each other.
There was something brewing, Of
that I was sure But Whatever It was
It did not affect the. Schuyler sisters.
hear. but they felt nothing OF the sun-
nercurrent of mysterious meaning.
that affected the rest Of us.
was glad when the time came to
60. It was very late, nearly midnight
and ! marveleds TO 9 that Ruth