South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-01-28

had displayed any particular talent
in any direction such as amateur
theatricals or that sort Of thing, but
all recalled the creature had done
had been TO sketch clever but rather
cruel caricatures now and then for
our amusement
Just one more question, Mrs.
TyrrelI." begged Barry. You said
the girls hair looked as IL it had
been bleached out In the sun; do you
remember whether Il was curly or
straight"
straight as a string" Mrs. Tyr
reu responded. "Irene's hair had
been soft and curling about her face,
while her sisters was flat and dank
and unpIeasant-lo as though
she had been drowned Now
really must hurry or you'll miss
your train"
He took leave Of Mrs. Tyrrell at
the station Just as the New York
train was pulling in. but made no
attempt to get aboard: instead he
waited for the Western express and
as he entered the Pullman he
chuCkled 10 himself.
Cad. what luck" he murmured.
What a coincidence Fate played
right into her hands,"
CHAPTER XII
The group which gathered in
Professor Semyonov's shabby. COM
Portable living room a few days later
was a strangely assorted one, but the
faces Of all held the same intent eX-
preston and their eyes were focuss-
ed on the boyish figure which
lounged easily in the window seat.
All the tenants OF the house were
present except he keeper Of the an
tique shop; Gordon Ladd. moody
and silent. Henry Griswold with his
little skull-cap: the professor him
self, as imperturbable as ever. and
even the pale. shrinking little Miss
Shaw from her attic studio.
In addition the chief had conde-
seconded to come over from head
quarters and lend his august coun-
tenance to the proceedings. and Ser
geant Craig stood near. looking as
though ne were not quite sure what
was going 10 drop on him. while,
unseen, outside the door two stall
wart men remained on guard.
I've got a little story TO tell you
all: it won't take long" The figure
in the window Strengthened
Deep silence rewarded him save
for an audible gulp from Craig and
L slight rustic OF Miss Shaw's gown
as she settled back resignedly in her
chair Barry went on:
Il AZ -. al.
igan. two girls were left orphans
under the rascally guardianship Of
"a hypocritical bank president. The
older girl was delicate. the younger
crippled to the point OF physical de-
formity but with a strong. deter
mined. alert mind. They were pos
sessed Of a little property and their
guardian made up his mind TO marry
the oldest giri off as early and as
well as possible. but he saw his
chance with the younger one be-
cause OF her infirmity He put her
in an institution which was prac-
tically an idiot asylum, and her older
sister was pOwerless to help her.
1T is a wonder that the little Grip
pies mind didn't give way with the
horrors about her. but it didn't even
when a greater horror and grief
came into her life. Their guardian
sent the older sister to "A fashion
able school in another state where a
daughter of a rich family grew fond
of her and took her to her own home
in a distant city for a summer vaca-
ton.
There the orphan met and mar
ried a man of wealth whom she loved
devotedly, but who fell into the tolls
of a designing woman of undeniable
fascination: the woman who was
shot TO death downstairs a few
nights ago, the erring Matchmaking
wife OF Mr.. Griswold here"
A gasp that was like the stirring
of dry leaves ran around the little
circle. but no one spoke and after a
moment Barry continued:
There were two years of happy
married life, however, before the
other woman appeared upon the
scene. and during those two years
the bride was enabled 20 provide for
her younger sister, remove her by
law from the hands OF their guardian
the physical disability which had
crippled her. In return the younger
sister adored her passionately with
"a single hearted devotion which bore
fruit in later years.
When the woman known TO all
of you but one as Mrs. Nane' elOped
with the husband of the older sister
it broke her heart and destroyed her
mind She died within the year and
when her husband heard OF it he
shot himself in remorse; the cart
ridge shell from that shot was found
among the sO-called Mrs Nanes eff
fects a few days ago
In the meantime, however, she
had found her husband again, sue
ceeded by a ruse in making circum-
stances appear in the eyes Of the
law as though he had condOned her
unfaithfulness. and has been black
mailing him ever since. playing with
fire but never again permitting her
self to be burned. since II would
mean the loss OF her income.
She may have almost forgotten
that first mad escapade. but she
reckoned without that little sister OF
the girl-wife whose life she had
brought down 20 the grave
she was plentifully supplied with
money and the little sister was poor.
with her own living 70 make while
she pursued her search. but she con-
tinued il for seven years. and then
the long arm Of coincidence stepped