The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-18
PAGE 6

spect?" he asked, after moment of silence
in which he regarded the lawyer peculiarly
'In every respect" responded Bristow.
There is not much out of the ordinary to
relate" DR.. Craig began slowly. Gamma
Wrightson was born in Laurens Her
parents were poor, but eminently respect
able. She has no relatives save a half
witted dwarf, Royal Wallace"
81 have seen him." nodded the lawyer,
shuddering at remembrance of the recent
scene in the study
"When she was about SIXTEEN" continued
the physician, "Miss Wrightson entered the
employ of DR.. Selden's father. She has been
in the service of the family ever since
virtually a member of it. The old doctor
treated her as daughter She was accorded
such educational advantages as were af-
forded by the Laurens High school and
Cores Hill college. When he died he left
her well provided for While such course
was unnecessary she retained her position
here. Her mind has peculiar turn; she is
deep student of the occult Sciences"
Brstow leaned forward, demanding
abruptly:
Have you reason to believe there was
anything between DR.. Selden and Miss
Wrightson other than the natural relations
of employer and employer"
Again that peculiar expression crossed
DR.. Craig's face.
Gust prior to brakes departure there
were rumors of-of love affair between
then,," he admitted slowly and with evident
reluctance. 81 never gave the story Gre
dence, although l am quite sure he could
have made far more unvlise choice for n
wife"
He rose nervously and walked to the
window After moment Bristow followed
him.
HAS it not occurred to you, doctor, that
Miss Wrightson may know more regarding
this affair than she has hitherto divulged?"
he asked pointedly.
He was astounded at the effect his
words produced. DIR. Craigs face blazed
red for a moment, then turned ashen;
his features contorted into an expression of
supreme ferocity, and he seemd on the eve
of springing at the throat of his inqcisitor.
For full minute the two men stood
tense, glaring at each other. Then by
what evidently was a superhuman power
of repression the doctor controlled himself.
The ferocity of his expression turned to one
of startled fear. His lips twitched convul-
sively.
Gust what do you mean?" he demanded.
at is true that there was a love affair
between DR.. Selden and his housekeeper!"
What are your grounds for such state
ment?" almost Missed the doctor.
Bristow, in few words, related the cir
cumstances of the locket containing DIR.
Selden's pictured face which he had found
ON the person of the housekeeper while she
was in the swoon induced by the discovery
that her employer was dead.
SIS it not reasonable to suppose that he
tired of her and paid the penalty of dis
loyalty with his life?" demanded the lawyer.
"No-noT hastily replied, the physician.
"She could not have stained her hands with
the blood of man who had been as
brother to her many years of her life-the
son of man who had been more than
father to her to the day of his death and
upon whose bounty she afterward lived prac-
ideally as she chose"
"Do not be too sure of that" objected the
attorney. Granting that she had the mo-
tive 1 have presupposed. how easy it would
have been for her, trusted as she was, to
creep upon DR.. Selden and STAY him, then
endeavor to cast suspicion upon the missing
daughter! Her actions have, to me, been
extremely suspicious from the start-even
before l knew of DR.. Sedens tragic DEATH"
He went to relate the finding of the
brooch in DR.. Selden's beard, the house
CHI