Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1920-06-10

there was a suppressed scream, fol-
lowed by a frightened gasp. The
| figure on the chair turned quickly and
faced me. l saw that It was n woman,
o badly frightened woman, with her
hands c4utching at her heart. Almost
Instantly I recognized her. 1t was not
Barbara Bradford, but her sister.
Claire. She was clad tn some sort OF
q dark house gown thrown over her
nlghtgown. Her slippered feet were
bare OF stockings. and her hair hung
In a great braid down her back.
As l stared at her she sprang from
the chair and made a rush for the
open window. l 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-
ment's futile resistance she suddenly
collapsed in my arms, moaning in o
tense whisper:
Let me go. please let me 60"
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 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.
mot until you tell me what you
we're doing in my rooms" answered
firmly.
II did not know there was any one
here. I thought the apartment vas
vacant. l thought the Gastons were
away"
But why did you come"
II can't tell that" she mOaned. II
can't! can'tw
"You must" / repeated. II am 60
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 M Co."
doesn't Barbara-doesn't your SIS
ter know you are hereY
At my mention of her sisters nam
an expression Of Amusement escaped
her.
who are you" she asked excited
ly. "How did you know who I vast"
Il am a friend of your sister," I
answered. "She will tell you who I
am. You must trust me. feel I have
a right to know what you are doing
here. Won't you tell meT'
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" I cried %excitedly.
you have heard them, tooT
Often" she said. II heard them
tonight. Mother and Barbara were
ont to the theater. They seemed to
come from near the ceiling In my Sis
ter's room. They seemed to vanish
m the direction of this room. ]
thought there was no one here. I de-
c1ded TO creep along the ledge and see
If / could trace them"
"And did you succeed?"
She shook her head.
"When I first came In this room I
could still hear them. They 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 I 90 n~ow-before my
mother comes homer
"On one condition." I answered,
shat you tell your sister about your
having been here"
"Tll tell her If you wish me to-" she
replied. "and now, please may l GOT
Gould you let me out of your door,
See, I brought q key to our apartment
with me. I don't think I dare make
that trip across the ledge tonight"
As l escorted her to the door, my
mind In a whlrl over the events Of the
evening, l suddenly remembered how
important it was that ! should see her
sister for a long talk before I kept
my appointment with German.
"Tell your sister," I snid to Claire
Bradford as she departed, that It Is
imperative that she meet me at lunch.
eOn tomorrow. I have news of the
utmost lmportance--news that con. |
Germs all Of us. Tell her to meet me
at the Aston ut one. She must come"
"IIl tell her." she replied.