South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-14
Revelations "A Vie s9o6 go

DIR. Petit, I must ask you wha;
you meant when YOU asked me if
were sure my husband was in the
Adirondacks ?"
He Strengthened in the chair with
the effect Of jerk, and his eyes
showed fatigue no longer. l had
the odd notion that somebody had
JUS kindled a fire behind them.
so you have reconsidered your
answer" he said. and his tone be-
erayed the fierce eagerness which
was in him.
\ Blazing Resentment
Not necessarily" 1 parried. Il
simply wished to know what was
behind your question. There must
have been something"
There vas" he answered grimly,
"but the answer you gave TO my
question disposed Of it. Unless.
there came a shreWd look into his
eyes. unless YOU wish to reconsider
your answer. In tSat case I viii
ask my question again. Are you sure
your husband is in the AdirOn-
dacks?"
His manner was the offensive, ar
rogant one OF the old-style peda-
gogue. l told myself that al no
needed was a hickory switch under
his arm to make the picture COM
plete. If had been my normal self,
I would have cut the conversation
short at this point. But for that
matter, I never would have begun
il If my nerves had not been frayed
almost to the breaking point by tia
strain of the nights experiences. I
summoned every bit Of Will power I
possessed to keep my voice from
trembling. and answered his ques-
ton truthfully.
NO. Or. Petit. J am not sure"
said. Il know that he went to
visit at the camp Of a friend, and I
naturally suppose that he Is there
now, but I have not heard from him
for several days, so, Of course, l can
not say positively that I know he IL
there. But your question suggests
that you have more certain knowl-
edge than :"
Il have no knowledge" he saii
quickly, "only a strong suspicion
which I intend 10 verify"
There was something in his man.
ner which frightened me. I have
always felt that under Herbert
Pettit's frigid exterior there were
volcanic, dangerous possibilities and
the smoldering fires Of his eyes. the
intent frowning look he bent upon
me confirmed that ancient impress
sion I remembered his old dislike
OF Dicky, and suddenly, overwhelm-
ingly. there came TO me a sense Ct
my disloyalty to my absent husband.
in even listening 10 this man. let
alone questioning him.
Il must crave your pardon, DR..
Petit" I said. rising L think !
must have been a little mad TO send
for you and question you. Please
forgive the trouble I have caused
you. OF course, you must realize
that I cannot listen to idle suspl-
cions Of my husband"
With one long step he crossed to
me. and taking me by the arn-not
urgently but with a firm grip from
which I could not escape-he put
me back into my chair and lowered
above me with hts white face like
mask from which his eyes fairly
hlaZed.
- allow no one 10 play fast and
loose with mel" he said grimly, out
ragged egotism and something more
fiercely primitive in his voice. land
YOU Will hear now what I dislikcd
telling you. I do not know this
positively, but I am cursedIy sure
that wherever your husband is, he
is rot a. that Adirondack camp. and
thar Claire Foster knows where Re
IS better than either you or l."
Rug Cleaning 3 3. Cleaning.