The Jasper news., 1920-09-02

| AhtVA W thCh Gubtd hOAneAtadly IOr
ward, my eyes on the intruder until al
last my fingers found the electric light
button. AS the light flooded the room
there was suppressed scream, fol.
lowed by a frightened gasp The
figure on the chair turned quickly and
faced me. saw that It was woman,
a badly frightened woman, with her
hands clutchlng at her heart Almost
instantly recognized her. II was not
Barbara Bradford. but her sister.
Claire. She was clad in some sort OF
dark house gown thrown over her
nlghtgown. Her Bllppered feet were
bare Of stockings, and her hair hung
In great braid down her back.
As I stared at her she sprang from
the chair and made a rush for the
open window. grabbed for her and
though she fought desperately man.
aged to hold her fast and 60 drag her
away from the window. After mo-
ment's futile resistance she suddenly
collapsed in my arms, moaning In o
tense whisper:
"Let ne go, plee % let me 60"
placed her In a chair, and still
keeping u tight hold on one Of her
arms studied her. debating what 10
do. What desperate motive could
have driven this girl to the daring
journey across the narrow ledge by
which she had gained access to my
quartersf Was she, wondered, once
more In the power of that evil en-.
husband Of hers, driven By fear Of him
to such desperate deeds.
let me CO." she moaned again.
"Not until you tell me what you
were doing in my rooms" answered
firmly.
II did not know there was any one
here. thought the apartment was
vacant thought the Gastons were
away"
"But why did you conner
Il can't tell tha :" she moaned. Il
can'ti cantP
"You must" I repeated. II am GO
ing to keep you here until you do tell
me-"
"You must not keep me here" she
said. Il don't want my people to know
about my having been here. You look
like gentleman. Please let me CO."
Doesn't Barbara-doesn't your sis
ter know you are hereY'
At my mention of her sisters name
al expression Of nmazement escaped
her.
who are your" she asked excited
". How did you know who was2"
Il am a friend OF your sister," I
answered. "She will tell you who
am. You must trust me. l feel have
a right to know what ,yon are iolnE
here. Won't you tell mer
A strange look came into her eyes
and she shook her head.
You wouldn't understand. / was
trying to trace the whispers"
The whispers" criej excItedly.
You have heard them, tGoT
Often" she said. II heard them
tonight Mother and Barbara were
out to the theater. They seemed to
come from near the ceiling in my sis
ter's room. They seemed 10 vanish
In the direction Of this room. III
thought there was no one here. de-
cided to creep along the ledge and see
Il l could trace them"
"And did you succeedr
She shook her head.
when I first came In this room / |
could still hear them. They seemed
TO be coming from up near the ceiling.
got up on chair and put my ear
to the wall to listen. Tnen they
stopped altogether ana then-you |
came in. May l 60 now-before my |
mother comes homer
"On one condition." answered,
that you tell your sister about your |
having been here"
"Tll tell her II you wish me to-" she |
replied. "and now. please may I GOT |
Could you let me out Of your doorf |
See, l brought key to our apartment
with me. ! don't think I dare make
that trip across the ledge tonight"
As I escorted her to the door, my
mind In whirl over the events OF the |
evening, l suddenly remembered how
important It was that should see her
sister for a long talk before kept
ny appointment with German.
"Tell your sister," ! sud to Claire
Bradford as she departed. ''that It is
imperative that she meet me at lunch.
eon tomorrow. have news Of the
utmost importance-news that con.
eerns all Of us. Tell her to meet me
It the Astor at one. She must come"
"I'll tell her." she replied.