The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-08-19
CHAPTER VI

| pen anu llh WOl n -liclI pOiO thS
legend, 1.-THE Work of Perry Heath. >"
CHAPTER VI
To Herrick this carried no sinis-
ter suggestion, he merely thought
the card had been dropped there and
was about to pick it up when there
seeped through his bewildered brain
vague memory that one should
not touch things on the scene Of a
mysterious death.
So he restrained his impulse to
blow out the last feeble chickering's
Of the two candles, and, instead,
raised the shades Of the back win
dows to let in the daylight.
Then, patting his pocket with a
soft sigh of satisfaction, he went out
of the room and sought the other
servants.
He found them In the pantry, agog
with excitement at the tales of Katie
and Mrs. Pierce, but not daring to
report for duty until summoned.
Herrick was unstrung himself,
but kept his head, and assumed an
extra dignity as he isseu borders.
mo gossipping now" he said;
Mrs. Pierce, you go on with get
ting the breakfast ready. We've no
call to neglect our work. Carter.
you go up to Miss Moore's room. and
-and-well, you do the best you can.
Tell the young lady that Mrs. Heath
has-has-say, she's had an acct
dent-yes, that will do, an accident.
And get Miss Moore to dress at once,
for the doctor is coming and after
that goodness knows what goings on
there will have to be-
"Oh-I can't tell Miss Bunny"
Carter burst into sobs. Poor Mrs.
Heath-are you sure, Herrick, she's
dead? Let me see her"
mo, nobody, must go into that
room till the doctor comes,--or Mr..
Heath"
Where is Mr.. Heath?" exclaimed
Carter.
II don't know" Herrick said, slow
ly. There's a lot to be learned yet.
You go along, Carter, get Miss
Bunny dressed and take up her
breakfast. I'm at my wits end! No
body to, boss-or, anything; Mr.. In
man. he's all fabbergasted like,-I
wish Mr.. Heath would come back
wherever he's gomez
Carter obeyed the orders of her
superior, and taking tray with cof-
fee and rolls, started for Bunny's
room.
But even as she tapped at the
door, she heard the sound of wild
sobbing within.
No summons babe her enter. and
after another knock, Carter opened
the door and went in.
Bunny was huddled in a forlorn
heap in the middle of her bed, and
was crying bitterly.
There now, tier now, Miss
Bunny" Carter said, moved to pity
at the sight of the girls intense
grief, take a sup Of coffee. do"
With an air Of bewilderment,
Bunny looked up lin the maids face,
and docilely took the cup she
proffered.
AS she swallowed, she looked over
the rim Of the cup at Carter.
What is it?" she whispered.
whats all the excitement about?"
Well, Miss, - you see, Mrs
Heath, she-she isn't so WELL
Not well! Myra! What do you
mean?"
"shes-she's had an accident,
ma am"
Accident! What sort of accident?"
She" but Carriers powers of
vague prevarication were limited,
and she blurted out, why, she s
dead, ma ann
Dead said Bunny, not hysterl
cally, but with an awed dazed air,
her intent gaze fixed on Carriers
face.
Yes, ma am" the maid returned,
ready, the Rubicon crossed, to dilate
on the subject.
Dress me-" Bunny said. almost
sharply. Never mind the bath,
give me my clothes"
And in utter silence the girl rap
idly donned her garments.
A plainly tailored white wolfe
gown was forthcoming and Bunny
put it on, adding a necklace of small
jet beads.
do you know where Mr.. Heath
Is, ma amp" said Carter, timidly, but
determined to raise the question.
mo, how should 1? Isn't he
about?'
mo, ma'am, Herrick can't find
him anywhere"
"Oh, he's around somewhere, of
course. No, don't want any more
coffee. Where isis Mrs. Health"
ooh, ma am, she's in the stujo--
she's"
Never mind, Carter, I'll go down
now"
Bunny went slowly downstairs,
pausing on every step.
Just as she reached the lounge,
Dr. Conklin entered. He was a
brisk, alert sort Of person, with
sharp, penetrating eyes and a quick,
jerkiness of movement.
Though he had turned toward the
studio, he paused at sight of Bun
ny, and looked at her inquiringly.
Belong here, do your" he said,
shortly
Il am a guest of the Heaths,"
Bunny returned, little brusque, be-
cause she was not accustomed to
such abrupt manners.
oh you are. Where is Mr.
Heath? What am I wanted for, any
way?"
Herrick who had admitted the
doctor, said, respectfully: IF you
will come this way, sir"
He led the way to the studio, and
DR.. Conklin walked in silence after
him.
Bunny followed timidly, and with