South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-03
ISABEL Q STRANDER2 -

but IS a privileged family friend his
presence was not amiss AZ this time
OF tragedy.
As she descended the stairs she
realized all at once that her head
did not feel quite right in spite OF
what she had told Sergeant Barry
and in a sudden ft OF dizziness che
elutchcd az the oallustrdde.
Kenneth clayton met her at the
foot OF tho stairs and his hand
CLOSED warmly about hers. 1T Is true
chat poor Laurel"
She is dead. Mr.. Clayton"
II suppose Clara is Frustrated
"qf course but she-she takes II
so strangely. She could not believe
the truth az FIRST when 1 told her"
That would be only natural, dear
won't ask YOU now II YOU have
given a thought to our little talk
last night but I have come 10 offer
my services TO both you and your
aunt in any possible car acity.'
"Oh," Fay cried i'm genuine dis
tress ct am sure that Aunt Clara
viii Doe deeply grateful, but you viii
not think mo unkind If I feel that [
~ want To- be alone? This has all
come so suddenly that ] don't feel
can discuss 10 even with 500 good
"a friend as YOU"
The coroner's nasal tones sounded
from The stirway.
cit isn't whether it's likely or not,
doctor it's what the evidence
proves. I don't care If the other girl
got off without being harmed. or
not. nor II there isn't a sign Of gas
+ in the room. This here's a case OF
'asphyXiation"
There followed an indistinguish-
able murmur in Doctor Green's de-
predatory tones. and then the cOrO-
uer's stubborn rejoinder:
THE blood test will tell. If 1 find
the indications that I suspect from
the appearance Of the skin this is
going 20 be one of the biggest cases
the county ever knew"
The front door slammed. As the
loud. measured steps descended from
the veranda Fay turned i'm horror TO
her companion.
you heard ." she asked They
think that it was murder. But how
could &c have been? The room was
lighted by electricity like all the rest
OF the house: there is not even "a gas
range in the kitchen. and we had no
fire i'm the CRATE. Besides. how is
it conceivable that Laurel could
have smothered TO death and I not
even been awakened ,"
Don't try TO think about it. may
dear" Clayton patted her arm
gently You know what an alarm
ist Coroner Shaw is. and as for the
sheriff he is always making mystery
out ~ nothing Just because a few
cushions and a steamer rug were
stolen from Pearsalls launch. and
the pantries of one or two of the
. summer residences were broken into
by some enterprising tramp. our
friend here was cooking up a fine
little mystery. until this mornings
affair came along 20 drive il out of
. his mind"
Il, too, had, had forgotten the
man Fay shuddered involuntariIy
That white drawn face. with its
staring eyes. arose in her memory.
The wave of dizziness swept over
her once more. She got to her feet
somewhat unsteadily. with one hand
to her swimming head. Really. II
you don't mind. 1 think I will go
and try TO rest"
ON the stairs Fay come face to
face with her aunt The latter was
composed, but very pale. and in her
blue eyes there was a haunted tor
tured look
Ny dear" she said IT did not
mean to drive YOU from me Just
now ] was beside myself 1 did not
know what I thought or said"
Fay kissed her and went on up
the stairs. Despite her assertion
that she could not think Of LaurePs
death the problem confronted her
with insistence.
But who on earth would have
wanted to harm Laurel? The young
Girl had not an enemy i'm the world
and she was facing the greatest hap
pinesS which life could hold for her.
IT this hideOus idea of murder could
nave any basis i'm fact IL must UNI
doubtedly be the work Of some in
sane intruder.
With that thought there came
again the memory OF that strange.
sinister face, and Fay sat bold up
right Now in retrospect. with her
brain supersensitized by the shock
W the morning, it seemed 10 her
that, after all. there had been some
thing vaguely familiar i'm the strain
ed. half-crazed face that had stared
into hers from the darkness.
continued i'm our Next Issue.
'Coryright 1922. NEA Service.)