Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-08

ment. for her to leave the study so
securely locked and bolted on the in
side? But that was the old ques-
ton, and the one to which no one had
an answer But how I hoped the an
swer might incriminate anybody but
Anne!
That evening wa a strange one.
AS an experience OF my life, I shall
never forget it. The members of the
household all seemed to be at cross
purposes. There were a great many
people about, with the result that the
Van Wycks and their house guests
chose the music room for themselves
and denied the others admission. ~~-
In the library were gathered the
coroner and Mr.. Markham in confab
with Mr.. Van Wyck's lawyers, and
some directors of the companies with
which he had been identified.
The ceremony of dinner had been a
great strain on us all, but now that
: We were by ourselves, the tension was
loosened~a little.
Anne was verging on the hysterical.
She had borne up so long and SO
bravely against the ~onslaughts of Mrs.
Carstairs that a reaction had set in,
and h seemed to lose all her defen-
sive courage. As a result, we all tried
to comfort Or cheer her, and avoided
referring to painful subjects.
Archer was gentle and deferential.
but he said little to her, and seemed
to content himself with watching her
closely.
Barbara and Morland were in quar-
relsome mood. a condition not un-
usual with them. OF curse it was
necessary they should make certain
! arrangements pertaining to the fu-
+. neral of their father, and naturally
they deferred to Anne in many mat
tiers. But Anne listlessly declined to
express any opinions, and insisted
that they should use their own judg-
meDt and settle all questions between
themselves. ~.
The subject of the stiletto was not
so much as mentioned. and indeed
the whole great matter of the tragedy
and the inquest, was not eve touch
ed upon.
Beth Fordyce was the only one who
/, seemed inclined to open the subject
; and she occasionally declared with in
! ~sistence that Carstairs had killed his
master. \
AS we were awaiting the detectives
investigation of the Wallets affairs. we
had no wish to discuss this. Or al
}; want to do It in the presence of thu
J, Van Wyck family. I made up m!
duty to do anything I might to avoid
: serious or tragic considerations.
1t seemed to me that Anne became
more and more dropping, and at las
begged Of her to go for q short wall
Ion the terrace She agreed more
;, readily than I had hoped, and W
went out together. It wa an ex
quisite night, the air soft and balmy
2 and the loon overhead.
Il saY..-k 90 ltAkYA -h&vA A~~4 : '
said gently, forget 1t all. can't you
IA short respite from these harrow
. ing thoughts will clear your brain an
heart. and make you stronger t
. bear what must come tomorrow"
She spoke suddenly, repeating m,
-words in a frightened tone: "Wha
: Unjust come TOMORROW hat do yo'
mean, Raymond :"
/ couldn't bring myself to speak G
that tell-tale stiletto. 30 / said. 9TH
. whole dreadful business, Anne. Tn
: conclusion OF the inquest. the detne
3 tive work that must follow. the fu
: neral, and all the thousand and on
accompaniments OF this tragedy TIL;
has come to you. just for In houl
1 put 1t out Of your mind, and I kno,
= 1t will help you. Let us talk Of thing
: liar on and u~nass0ciated With thi
I place. Let u talk Of when We wen
= Ito school together
We had Ieft the terrace. and wer
r walking down q path through one o
tho formal Gardens. She gave me
-ilook Of trust, n she said, softly, "Yo
Z are very good to me. Raymond"
I'm your friend. Anne; it Is No
being good, AZ you phrase II. to wan
: to help you In your sadness and trou
ble."
""You are my friend?' she sale
. slowly. Does that ear you true
. me-you have faith in me?
a "Of course i have! I trust you In
.hniteiy. I have unb0unded faith ]
4 you.r ~
X Anne's voice sank to a whisper, an
n she trenblfngly said, "You wouldn'
II II you knew Oh, Raymond, that
= 1.-THE pity Of it--you wouldn't-if 70
! was appailed. MOI 20 much b