The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1920-08-28

'SVAS "'0"''''" Irwin Myers
there was a suppressed scream. fol-
lowed by frightened gasp. The
figure on the chair turned quickly and
faced me. l saw that it was a woman,
badly frightened woman, with her
hands clutching 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 Slippered feet were
bare of stockings, and her hair hung
IN great braid down her back.
As | stared at her she sprang from
the chair and made a rush for the
open window. I grabbed for her and
though she fought desperately I man
aged to hold her fast and 20 drag her
away from the window. After a mo-
ments futile resistance she suddenly
collapsed in my arms, moaning in q
tense whisper:
Let me go, plec 1e let me CO."
l placed her in a chair, and still
keeping a tight hold on one of her
arms, studied her, debating what to
do. What desperate motive could
have driven this girl to the daring
journey across the narrow ledge by
which she had gained access TO nv
quarters? Was she, | wondered once
more in the power of that evil ex.
husband of hers, driven by fear of him
to such desperate deeds.
Let me CO." she moaned again.
mot until you tell me what Won
were doing in my rooms" l answered
firmly.
Il did not know there was any one
here. thought the apartment was
vacant. thought the Gastons were
away"
But why did you Gomez"
u can't tell tha," she moaned. 81
can't! l can't!"
you must" l repeated. 81 am 60
ing to keep you here until you do tell
me-"
You must not keep me here" she
said. 81 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 here?"
AT my mention of her sisters name
ali expression of amazement escaped
her.
VINO are your" she asked excited
~ How did you know who I was?"
Il am a friend of your sister" I |
answered. "She will tell you who I !
am You must trust me. l feel have
right to know what you are doing
here. Won't you tell me?
A strange look came into her eyes
md she shook her head.
You wouldn't understand, was
.rying to trace the whispers"
The whispers!" I criei excltedly.
You have heard them, tOoP
Often" she said. ST heard them
onight. Mother and Barbara were
'ut to the theater. They seemed to
'ome from near the ceiling In my sis
er's room. They seemed to vanish
n the direction of this room.
bought there was no one here. / de-
1ded to creep along the ledge and see
l could trace them"
"And did you succeed?"
She shook her head.
when / first came In this room I
ould still hear them. They seemed
0 be coming from up near the ceiling.
got up on chair and put my ear
o the wall to listen. Then they
topped altogether ana then-you
anne in. May I go now-before my
lother comes homer
"On one condition." / answered,
tnat you tell your sister about your
aving been here" a
"Tll tell her if you wish me TO-" she
eplied, land now, please may | 90?
'ould you let me out of your door?
ee, brought key to our apartment
18th me. l don't think | dare make
nat trip across the ledge tonight"
AS | escorted her to the door, my
lind in whirl over the events of the
vening, l suddenly remembered how
nportant it was that should see her
ster for long talk 1efOre | kept
" appointment with Gorman.
'Tell your sister," l SAID to Claire
radfOrd as she departed, that it is
Imperative that she meet ne at lunch. S
On tomorrow. l have news of the ]
tmost impOrtance-news that con- {
erns all of US. Tell her to meet me {
the Aston at one. She must come" !
"Tll tell her" she replied.
CHAPTER VII.