The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1922-01-24

the truth! WHAT happened between
thooe two On the staira which made
you rush up To Nrs. vanc only to be
repulsed. Were you repulsed? We're
you not with her. In her studio. when
the deadly shot was hred?"
At the unexpected accusation the
young man shrank back. then sprang
from his chair.
.1'his IL what you in your police
slang call y 'frame-up' isn't II?
You've got to hang the--the murder
on someone suppose. and 40 am
to be the goat -
by mo- means" Barry also had
risen. "You must realize the strong
circumstantial case against you, but
| do not think you are guilty"
Barry continued quietly:
do you know why? Because ever
since this interrogation was started.
in spite Of the damaging admissions
you made against Yourself you have
deliberately eQuivOcated and eyaied.
and think know the reason.
II believe you did care for Mrs. Vane,
ho1lbTably and sincerely. and It Is for
that very fact that l ask you to tell
W. the truth now"
For an instant the young man hest
tated. and then sinking once more in
to his chair he buried his face in his
hands
1t last Gordon Ladd raised his head
and upon his white. set face there
was written implacable resolve
"you win. Sergeant Barry. l would
die myself before would willingl,
rake up anything against tho memory
OF the woman loved. even though she
had played mercilessly with me. onl,
to turn me down irrevocably in tht
end. but there's some mystery about
;hss whole thing that l don't under
/ stand and II may In way have som;
bearing upon the manner of her death
| Nc breath Of scandal has ever touch
| ed her. Nevertheless. she must hav,
had some source Of income. for he
studio was luxurious almost palatia
compared to this-and her war worI
and ATS Of idleness which she indulg
I'd in later were alike unremunara
tive.
| His voice broke and Sergeant Barr,
waited a moment before asking.
why did Mrs. vane return 4
America last autumn"
Gordon Ladd shrugged
"A within OF hers We all thought
we would not have been surprise
had she announced her departure 10
China. There was nothing -nothin
definite between us two. you know
/ was simply one OF many who wer
permitted to adore her at a distanc.
The rest forgot. but didn't: l follow
ed her to New York and when foun
that success had crowned her bizarr
talents and yet she was living in thl
this howell. I was amazed beyon
words. In the artistic colony in Pari
false conventions are unknown an
When / discovered that this st,tdi
heFe wan yacant toQk il just so thu
| might be near her. even though sh
sti11 laughed at my wcOing. Then
then began to notice this man Cri,
void
X His voice hid hardened perceptibl
on the last words and Barry remarl
ed:
III the report We get ON him tailie
with his own account OF himself. h
IS highly respectable member c
society"
! oh know al! about him. All an,
body knows. l neen I've looked hi
up" I>add cried defiantly
What | want TO know Is this: NJ,
IS he living hidden away in cheaJ
makeshist studio building like thi.
man with all his money. Why wa
she. brilliant artistic success. cor
tent even for day in such surrouns
ings after the luxury which had a
Ways been hers Why did he-reputes
Is confirmed woman-hater call Ii,
on her. and why did she even PERM
or tolerate his acquaintance. she VII
was accustomed abroad 10 the socie,
OK notable me-"
Why did YOU not AJAX herr
Il did. but She always put me Oft
told ne he was an American type tina
she had almost forgotten and that h
amused her. A week ago cosildn
stand II any longer; | proposed TO ne
for the last time. and when she laugh
Ell AT me as usual mist have lost m
head and gone a biz too far. for 81
told ne seriously at last that sh
would never be NV Wife
Gordon I.add paused his c,encha
hands tightening until the kngckle
showed white
Il kept ava, from her after that III
I'll tonight when same m As tot
Won and saw her bidding HIN 'goas
night on the landing above Thefe
no love lost between them. coal
swear 10 that She was jeer.ng It hin
and II ever hatred looked out u
mans ewes. il looked cut of MS. an
Vet somehow til. si-ht drove me Mid
Continued IN Our Next Issucl
copyright. 49,. NEA Seryice)