The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-10

te stone, "Killed himI,, she whis- eerea, in accent et terror,
 "yes-or else he killed hiEaseif--- they don't feel sure," Mrs. Adams, once embarked on the narrative, told all she knew of the elroumstsnoes, and in the exciting recital almost forgot to watch the effect of the tale eh her listener,
 But this effect was not entirely unnoted, At the partly opened door Old Salt Adams stood, ozvesdreppinE, but with 3 kindly, anxious look on hls face that beded no i'll to any one.
 And he noticed that the girls at- tention was wandering, She was pitt fully white, hcr face drawn and scared, and soon she exclaimed with burst of nervous fury; Stop. your"
 It was not g command. but an ar. onized entreaty, Mrs Adams fairly Jumped. and, alarmed as well as of- Tended, she rose and started for the door, only to meet her husband en- terlng.
 Co down stairs. Esther" he said, Srayely, T want to speak to Miss Austin myself"
 Staring at one. then at the other, and utterly routed by this unbeliev- able turn of affairs, Mrs. Adams went.
 ola Salt closed the room door, and turned to the trembling girl.
 Miss Austin," he said, kindly, T hke you: l want to help you-but must ask you to explain yourself you Miss Mystery. why are you at all9"
 For a moment the girl seemed about to respond to his kindly, gentle attitude and address. Then. something stayed her, and she let olankness as she replied; "It Is a bit intrusive, but I've no reason not to tell. l am an art student, and I came here to paint New England winter scenery"
 Have you done muchr"
 haven't been here quite a week yet-and I've been picking out avail able bits-and for two days Two had cold"
 How did you get cold?" The voice was kind but 1t had definite note, as If desirous of an accurate answer.
 Miss Mystery looked at him.
 How does any one get cold?" she said trying to smile perhaps sit ting in draught-perhaps by means of a germ. It Is almost we'll now"
 Perhaps by walking in the snow Adams suggested, and the girl turned frightened eyes on him.
 Don't" she breathed; MT. Adams, dcn'tl"
 Her voice was piteous; her eyes implored him to stop torturing her. Why, what's the harm in my say ing that?' he went on, inexorably You wouldn't go anywhere that you wouldn't want known, would you, Miss Mystery"
 He spoke the last two words in meaning way, and the great dark eyes faced him with the look of a stag at bay.
 Then again by desperate effort the girl recovered herself and said coldly:
 Please speak plainly, MT. Adams Is there a special meaning in your words?"
 There is, Miss Austin. Perhaps I have no right to ask you why, but I do ask you if you went over to Dr. Warnings house late In the evening night before last7"
 Sunday night, do you mean?" but her hands were clenched and her foot tapped the floor in her stifled excitement.
 Yes, Sunday night No; of course. I did not go over there at night. I was there In the afternoon with Mrs. Bates and Mr. Payne"
 "I know that. And you then met Dr.. Waring for the first time?"
 For the first time" She spoke with downcast face.
 "The first time in your lifeT'
 ''The first time in my life." But if ever a statement carried its own de- nial that one seemed to. The long dark lashes fell on the white checks. The pale lips quivered, and if Anita Austin had been uttering deepest perjury she could have shown no more convincing evidence of false- hood.