Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-12-23
CHAPTER vi

The Body Of a Suicide.

ne BodY or Sutctoe.
AS the car whirled West down the
drcling driveway. the only sign of life
visible about the house was the mo-
tlonless figure of Sexton on the steps.
If either Miss Natalie, or Percival
Coolidge, took interest enough in the
proceedings to witness his departure.
they chose to remain carefully con-
cealed within. There was no pretense
even at speeding the parting guest.
He had simply been dismissed. turned
out, decently enough, perhaps, con-
sidering his status vet with a certain
measure of contempt which ranked
nevertheless.
The young man could not altogether
reconcile this style of treatment with
his preconceived conception of Miss
Natalie Coolidge He had been too
deeply impressed by her to easily re
linquish his previously formed opinion
of her character. This latest action
did not at all coincide with her former
open friendlinesS. He had not gone
to her as a servant nor had she in
any way treated him as such. What
could account for so remarkable
change?
Perhaps 1t was the influence of Per-
cival Coolidge. This explanation
seemed probable. The man had in
some way regained her confidence
and then. through trickery. had sue
ceeded in poisoning her mind. From
the very first Coolidge had dlsliked
him instinctively, and made no effort
to conceal his feelings; he resented
the intimacy between him and Ma
taIie, naturally enough, and would use
every means possible to get the young
en- man completely out Of the house.
No doubt he looked upon him as dam
gerous. But why? There could only
be one answer to this query. His own
dishonesty; his secret knowledge Of
some trickery relative to the funds Of
th4 estate, He had convinced the girl
OF his honesty. but. more than ever,
WeAt believed the fellow a rascal.
These thoughts fitted through his
mtnd, yet not consecutively. as the car
LEFT the grounds, and rrned on to fine
main road, leading cltywards. They
were still skirting tire Coolidge estate.
although the house behind was con-
ceeted by shrubbery. Suddenly, just
as they cleared the bridge. and began
to mount the opposite grade, there
came a sharp report, sounding so close
at hand the chauffeur clamped on his
brake and glanced anxious!y over the
side Of the car.
Blowout. wasn't it. sir?"
~No," said West shortly. staring him
self out into the thicket Of trees at
their left. at was a shot fred o-er
there g revolver ] should say. Wait
a second, Sanders, until see what
has hs. pened."
1t was largely curiosity which led
BIN to leave the car. The sound OF
either rifle or shotgun n that lone
" spot would have been instantly dis
missed SIS natural enough. but a pistol
was different. That was no place for
such a weapon. II somehow had q
grimiy sinister sound
Determined to learn exactly what
lad happened. West pressed his pas
sage forward through the vines OF the
fence, and emerged into the field be-
yond. A half dozen yards and he
found the clover trampled. as though
man had passed that way, The trail
led into shallow depression. pas a
rather large boulder. rear which he
Tampling Of the grass was even more
plainly revealed, as though the string
er had remalned here for some time.
mad ever seated himself. and then.
abruptly ended a few yards away.
Evidently the fellow bad turned tack
At this mint ana ro.-. - ~. -