Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-11-11

letter l wouldn't understand II at all |
II didn't know so much about the |
case. What 1t seems to make clear is |
this: The La Rue girl and Patrick En- |
right schemed to get possession OF the
Cavendish property through her mar
riage to John; this part of the pro
gram worked out fairly well, but John
could not get hold Of enough money to
satisfy them.
"Enright and the girl decided to put
Frederick out of the way, but lacked
the nerve to commit murder-at least
in New York. Their scheme seems
to have been to inveigle their victim
away from the city, and then help him
| to get killed through an accident. In
that case the law would award the en-
tire estate to John. They never told
John this plan, but their constant de-
mands for money fairly drove the
| young man to desperation.
''The making Of the will, and the
sudden proposed departure of Fred
erick for the west, compelled immedi4
ate action, yet even then John was
kept largely in the dark as to what
they proposed doing. All he knew was
that Frederick had made a will dis
inheriting him; that he left the Col
lege club with this document in his
pocket, and intended later to take
night train"
She paused, turning the letter over
in her hands, and the men seemed to
draw closer in the intensity of their in
terest.
"SOme of what say learned from
this letter." she went on quietly, "and
some merely deduce from the cir
cumstances. 1 believe the boy went
home half mad, his only thought be-
ing to destroy that will. In this state
of mind, and fortified by drink, he
stole later into Frederick's apartments,
don't believe the boy actually intend
ed to murder his cousin, but he did in
tend to stun him with blow from be-
hind seize the paper, and escape I'M
seen. It was a wild, hare-brained
project, but he was only a boy, half
drunk, worked into frenzy by Celeste
La Rue. He got into the roOm-prOb-
ably through the bath room window
unobserved, but after Frederick had
departed. This other man-Burke-
was then at the table, running through
the papers he had taken from the
safe, to see if any were Of value. john
convinced the man was his cousin
stole up behind him and struck him
down. He had no idea of the force of
the blow delivered, and may even have
left the apartment without realizing
that the blow had been a fatal one
Afterward there was nothing to do,
but keep still, and let matters take
their own course"
"And what happened then?"
NATURALLY this: the La Rue wOm-
an wormed the truth out of him, and
told Enright. From that moment the
boy was entirely in their hands. While
they remained in New York they
helped him keep his nerve, but as soon
as he was left alone, he went entirely
to pieces. He was no criminal, merely
a victim of circumstances. At last
something happened to brighten him
into flight"
The four men. Strengthened up as her
voice ceased speaking. Then Roberts
laughed, as though ashamed Of the
breathless interest he had exhibited.
81 guess she's got that dOped out
about right, Colgate he said, almost
regretfully. "And it's clear enough that
we are on the wrong trail. Anyhow
this man here isn't Tom Burke, al
though he would deceive the very dew
ill., What is it, landlord? Am ready
| In I'll
show you" He glanced about at the
others "Any of you missed your sup
per? If so, we'd be glad to have your
company"
an accept the invitation" returned
Cavendish. 81 was asleep upstairs,
and failed to hear the bell. Perhaps
you gentlemen can tell me what steps
I'd better take in case like mine"
The three passed out together, fol-
lowing the guidance of Timmons, and
as the sound of their voices subsidized
into a confused murmur, Westcott
glanced into the face beside him.
"You must be very tired, dear"
81 am tired, JIM" she said, but
mustn't allow it. / have a big job
on hand. Farris will want three thou
sand words of this and he'll want it
tonight, so that he can scoop the town. "
scoop the town?" Westcott re-
peated.
Eyes, that means my paper gets a
story that no other paper gets. And
this Cavendish case is going to be my
scoop. Will you walk with me down
to the statiOn?"
Big Jim WestcOtt nodded silently
and took her arm in his and together
= they went out into the night.
Each stone, shrub, each dark frown-
ing cliff reminded them Of their meet
ing, and silently, with their hearts
full, they walked along until a dilapi-
dated box car hove in view, with one
Oil-lamp still burning, twinkling evil
dence that Carson had not retired for
the night; and as they came abreast
the door they found him doing,
| iCt,..,,,t, 4r-saa