New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1927-01-03
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NEA SERVICE NC
WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE

CHAPTER nix
Prof Elwell came into the front
room a few moments later, his eyes
holding a questionable look
"Mr. Markha ?" he said In a puz-
zled but polite tone as the visitor
rose and stepped forward, and then
he added, Il am Edwin Elwell. You
wished to see me?'
u do that. Mr.. Elwell--most en-
phatically," the attorney answered,
a broad smile lighting up his rugged
but kindly face. 1t was quite a long
story that he had to tell, he Went
on, and one that deeply concerned
1.-THE other members of the ElwelI
family. Il think. however had
better make you acquainted with the
inside facts first
He sat down again and sank back
in his chair. while Prof Eiwell. with
a wondering and apprehonsive look
in his eyes. drew up rocker in
front of his visitor.
Now then. Mr.. Elwell," the law
yer began when the other was seat
ed. IN put you in possession of
the facts in this case just as they
came to me. On the eth of March.
one week ago today, a telephone call
came to me at my office in Indian
apolis from the head doctor at the
City Hospital, requesting me to come
out there at once with my stenog-
rapher. 1t seems that a woman who
had been brought there the day be-
fore, and who had been told that she
had but short time to live, wished
me to take her dying statement.
Il hurried out there naturally.
taking my stenographer with me.
We were shown into private room
where woman lay propped up in
bed. I recognized her Immediately
as Carlotta Ortez, a once famous
actress, whose name twenty years
ago blazed in the white lights along
Broadway"
Prof Elwell nodded 81 remember
her. He was telling himself, too
that he was prepared for what was
coming.
The lawyer went on. after being
assured that I represented John II.
Clayton of Indianapolis, the retired
she asked that ] have my stenogra-
phcr take my statement. I have
that statement here now. typed from
the shorthand notes of my stenogra-
pher. 1t is word for word as the
woman gave it."
Again Prof Elwell nodded. His
face had suddenly taken on an old
look.
The lawyer opened the portfolio
on his knees and drew from it
typewritton document bearing the
letternead of his firm and backed
with stiff blue paper.
He passed the paper to his audi
tor. You won't get the meaning of
this story, Mr.. Elwell," he said, "rn-
til you near the end. But read it
very carefully and you'll see at the
finish how it concerns most vitality
the members of your family and
yourself"
Prof Elwell took the document
with a hand that shook visibly. II
think" he said in an uncertain voice.
Il think I know what's coming"
The other eyed him With a pecu-
liar look in which was blended
touch of compassion. He laid his
hand on Profs knee.
r INYs
Prof Eiwcll began to read aloud.
This is what he read:
CITY HOSPITAL.
Indianapolis, Ind,
March 81, 1919.
II, Carlotta Ortez, hereby declare
the following statement TO be true
in very particular:
II had known and loved Jack
Marvin when his first novel was
published and long before he ever
saw Edna Clayton. ! believed he
loved me then. although l knew he
never meant to marry me. Finally
he told me one day that our little
romance had come to an end. He
left me.
1.-TWO months later ] heard he had
an Edna Clayton. a beauti-
-ul girl from this city who was study
ng music in New York. Her only
living relative was a bachelor
brother, John II. Clayton. wealthy |
md formerly a New York banker, |
Who had moved to indianapolis,
VIZ notn of
sos, nearly year later. I CHANGED
o see Jack Marvin enter hotel on
where I had learned he
,as living with his wife. ! entered
hortly afterwards. learned the num-
or of his suite, and followed him
p, found him in the parlor of the
partment alone.
Naturally he was angered at my
nprudence, but after a moment or
D he recovered his usual good
,mper and VIC talked for while
f the old days. Then he told me :
e expected his wife, who was TAX
~ dinner with some friend on an
Their floor, 10 return soon and that
must go. But l refused to go nn-
80 he would accompany me to my
partment two blocks away.
I'VE left tho hotel together. AS
e wnre crossing Forty Second street
fire engine, drawn by a pair of
,wcrful horses. turned the corner.
ne of the front wheels struck
,ck, He WIS knocked to the pave s
'.
8 head He was killed instantly.
Horror aud fearful of I
I snrank hack in the