Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-09-02
Wustrations
by
IrwinMyerS

| gained the door without my pres
ence having been discovered. In the
dim half-Iight that came from the open
window / could detect figure stand
ing on a chair apparently feeling along
the wall near the ceiling. 1 recalled
with curiosity that ii was from that
spot that the whispers l had heard
had seemed to come.
Inch by incn edged nOiselessly for
ward, my eyes on the intruder until at
last my fingers found the electric light
button. AS the light flooded the room
there was a 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 clutching at her heart Almost
instantly I recognized her. 1t was not
Barbara Bradford, but her sister,
Claire. She was clad in some sort of
a dark house gown thrown over her
nightgown. Her sllppered feet were
bare of stockings, and her hair hung
In a 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 l man.
aged to hold her fast and to 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, please let me CO."
I placed her In a chair, and still
keeping q tight hold on one of her
arms, studied her, debating what to
do. What desperate motive could
have driven this girl to the daring
tourney across the narrow ledge by
which she had gained access to my
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 60" she moaned again.
"Not until you tell me what you
were doing in my rooms" l answered
firmly.
st did not know there was any one
here. I thought the apartment was
vacant. / thought the Gastons were
away"
"But why did you Gomez?
81 can't tell that" she moaned. II
can't! I can't!"
"You must" I repeated. Il am go
ing TO keep you here until you do tell
me-"
"You must not keep me here" she
said. II don't want my people to know
about my having been here. You look
like a gentleman. Please let me CO."
Doesn't Barbara-doesn't your sis
ter know you are here?"
At my mention of her sisters name
an expression of amazement escaped
her.
"Who are your" she asked excited
ly. How did you know who was"
81 am a friend of your sister," l
am. You must trust me. feel have
a right to know what you are doing
here Won't you tell me?"
A strange look came into her eyes
and she shook her head.
you wouldn't understand. was
trying to trace the whispers"
1.-THE whispers !" l cried excitedly.
"You have heard them too"
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
ters room. They seemed to vanish
in the direction of this room. l
thought there was no one here. de-
cided to creep along the ledge and see
If l could trace them"
"And did you succeedT
She shook her head.
"When I first came In this room !
could still hear them. The. seemed
to be coming from up near the ceiling.
l got up on a chair and put my ear
to the wall to listen. Then they
stopped altogether and then-you
came in. May l go now-before my
mother comes home?"
ION one condition." answered,
"that you tell your sister about your
having been here"
"Tll tell her If you wish me to-" she
replied, land now, please may I go?
Could you let me out Of your door?
See, brought key to our apartment
with me. l don't think dare make
that trip across the ledge tonight"
AS l escorted her to the door, my
mind in a whirl over the events of the
evening, / suddenly remembered how
important 1t was that l should see her
sister for a long talk before / kept
my appointment with German.
"Tell your sister," l said to Claire
Bradford as she departed, that 1t Is
imperative that she meet me at lunch
con tomorrow. I have news of the
utmost importance-news that con-
Germs all of us. Tell her to meet me
at the Aston at one. She must come"
.l ra,,ItnH