Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-19

frey Peters, my name is. I recog-
nized YOU right away from your
pictures and, as l say, We been
awaitin' ever since we found out
bout what friends you and Mr.,
Bernhard used to be for you to come
and tell us all YOU could that might
help us to find out who killed him..
That's true. Miss Dawn" the
doctor supplemented in his gentle,
almost fatherly tones. suppose we
three come into my private office
and talk things over?"
The woman. shrugged but follow
ed in silence as he led the way into
the little Office parlor and shut the
door. Then she turned upon them
both, throwing back her veil, and
her great eyes glittered with yell
low. feline light
Yes. / am Zoe Dawn," she cried.
81 don't know whether this is
trap or not nor why you should
think I could help you to find out
who murdered Joseph Bernhard
even If l wanted to, but I'm here to
tell you "a few facts that you may
use as You like"
sit down, please her host urg-
ed. This isn't any trap, ma am.
We're plain spoken folk out this
way, and when we learned about
you we figured it wasn't any use to
bother you unless YOU came to us
of your own free will, for nothing
could compel you to speak. Isn't
that so. Geoff?"
There was a more significant ap-
peal behind the doctors seemingly
casual request for confederation
than appeared on the surface, and
his ally recognized it and took the
situation in hand.
That's why we waited" Geoff
nodded. I'VE needn't to tell YOU,
Miss Dawn. bout the row between
Mr.. Lane and Mr.. Bernhard here at
Sunny Beach last Wednesday night
when Mr.. Lane went tearing in
town to you. he'd just help in
crushin' the man he'd just broke
with, the man who'd played him
for a sucker and then swore he'd
that l reckon you know of. AS
things turned out it was a waste
G. time. wasn't it, for whilst you two
was settin' in your drawin-room
till nigh mornin.' plottin and
plannin' to drive him to the wall.
somebuddy else did what put him
forever beyond your reach
The woman had listened intently,
her beautiful lips curled in a smile
tnat was nan Il sheer.
IF [ had planned Mr.. Benkard's
ruin with Mr.. Lane, as you say,
why should | help to avenge his
death?"
Because. ma'am. reckon if you'd
hated him bad enough for that
you'd a-killed him yourself with your
own hands before this" replied
Geoff quietly.
Zoe Dawn still stared at him, but
gradually the yellow glitter in her
eyes softened till they deepened to
brown once more. and the sneering
smile faded from her lips. Then,
without, warning. she burst into Il
storm of great, fearless sobs which
| welled up from within her, rending
and twisting her beautiful body as
Geoff glanced uneasiIy at Doctor
| Hood, but the latter motioned to
| him to remain silent, and slowly
the terrible sobbing subsidized until
at last the woman sank back spent
and exhausted In her chair.
Then the fat little doctor arose
| busted himself for a moment at his
medicine cabinet and came to her
! side with n glass in his hand.
Drink this. Miss Dawn. It'll do
, you good. and then YOU can tell us
whatever YOU feel like. We won't
poster YOU with a single question
! you don't want to answer. and moth
ing YOU will say will so beyond
| these four walls"
She obeyed and touched his hand
! Sropingly, like n child.
Thank you. II is true. what this
man saws. | would have killed Joe
| Bernhard long ago if had not loved
/ him too Well" ..