The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-11-11

came right up at once.
"Well, I think I'll go now, for
I may dig up something Of i'm
portance at the police station,
and I'll be here tomorrow for
the inquest at 10 or there
abouts."
As Coroner Berg left, the men
from the undertaker's arrived,
and the trying session with them
had to be gone through.
"But | can't make arrange
ments about the funeral
now" said poor Avice, breaking
down again. why, [ can't even
realize Uncle Rowly is dead,
and"
"Never mind, my DEAR" said
Mrs. Black, "don't try to. Go
to your room now, and leave the
funeral matters to me. | will
arrange everything, and Judge
Hoyt will assist me with his adj
vice."
Indeed you WON'T" said
Avice, spiritedly. II suppose I
am still uncle's niece. And [
prefer to be consulted about the
last rites for him"
"Then stay by all MEANS" and
Mrs. Blacks voice was honey
sweet. II only meant to save
you G narrowing experience"
She turned to the suave young
man who had with him a book
of pictured Baskets, and was soon
deeply interested in the choice
of shape, style and number Of
handles that seemed to her most
desirable.
Avice looked at her with aver
sion. It seemed to the girl al
most ghoulish to show such alb
sorption in a question Of the
quality Of black cloth, or the let
tering on the name-plate.
"But it must be decided" said
Mrs. Black. "Of course, we
want the best Of everything, and
it is the last honor we a pay
to dear Mr.. Trowbridge. You
should be. very thankful, Avice,
that you have me here to assist
and advise you. You are too
young and inexperienced to at
tend to these matters. Isn't that
SO, Judge Hoyt?"
cit seems so to me, Mrs. Black.
These selections must be made.
and surely you are showing good
taste and judgment"
every WE'LL" returned Avice.
eco on, and get whatever you
like. AS for me, I'm far more
concerned in hunting down my
uncle's murderer. And I doubt
if that coroner man will do it.
He's a perfect lump! He'll never
find out anything!
"Why, Avice," demonstrated
Hoyt, what could we find out
tonight? It is a mysterious af-
fair and as we here know moth
ing Of the crime, how could Mr..
Berg discover anything from
u.s."
"But he has no brains, no in
telligence, no ingenuity"
"Coroners rarely have. 1t is
their province only to question
and learn the circumstances.
'%Sleuthing' is what you have in
mind land that must be done by
detectives"
II know it, cried Avice, Gag
erly; "that's what I said at
first. Oh, Leslie, won't you get
the very best detectives there are
and put them on the case at
once?"
"Wait a moment, Avice," said
Mrs. Black, coldly. ~ am not
sure you are in absolute author
ity here. l have something to
say in the decisions"
"But surely, Mrs. Black, you
want to spare no pains and no
expense to learn who killed
Uncle Rowly!"
"You talk very glibly Of ex-
pense, my dear Avicc. Until
your uncle's will is read, how do
you-know who will be in a posi-
ton to bear these expenses you
are Sc ready to incur?"
Avice looked at the older wom-
an with scorn. Il don't quite
follow you," she said, slowly
"but surely, whoever inherits my
uncle's fortune, owes first the
duty of bringing his murderer
to justice!"
Leslie Hoyt looked very grave.
90 Ao M, TV,o1u -, oo >, ,o ;