Evening star., 1928-06-03


"It's terrible thing to be a cripple.
unable 10 walk or even stand alone.
Both my legs have been hopeleSsly
naralyzed for 10 years Think of it.
Mr. Markham. I've spent 10 years In
this bed and that cllair"-she pointed
10 an invalid's chair in the aleove-
and | can't even move from one to
the other unless I'm lifted bodily But
] console myself with the thought that
I'm not long for this world, and
try TO be patient. 1t wouldn't be so
bad, though. If my children we're only
more consi6erate But l suppose l eX-
pect too much Youth and health give
little thought 10 the old and feeble
it's the way of the world And SO
make the best Of it. It's my fate to
be burden To every one"
She sighed and drew the shawl more
closely about her.
you want 10 ask me some questions
perhaps? l don't see what / can tell
YOU that viii be of any help. but I'm
only too glad to do whatever can
haven't slept wink, and my back has
boen paining ME terribly as a result OF
al this commotion. But I'm not COM
planning"
Markham had stood looking at the
bAA aeAAA oABAkt0NLBCtildlAN. Il1QctO, S4i@
was pitiful figure. Her long invalid
ism and solitude had warped What had
probably been brilliant and generous
mind, and she had now become a kind
OF introspective martyr. with an exaa-
EeTated ScnsitivenesS 10 her afilctlon.
] could see that Markhsms instinct was
20 leave her Immediately with a few
ccnsoling words. but his sense of duty
directed him to remain and learn what
he could.
II don't wish TO annoy you more than
is absolutely necessary. madam" he said
in kindly voice But it might help
considerably If YOU permitted me to put
one cr two questions"
What's a little annoyance. more or
leSS2" she asked I've long since be-
choose
MARKHAM bowed with old world cour-
tesy You are very kind. madam"
Then after a moments pause: Mr.
Greene tells ne you cid not hear the
shot that was fired IN your oldest daugh-
teT's room. but that the shot in Miss
Ads's room wakened you"
That is So" She nodded slowly
"Ju,Ia's room is a considerable distance
sway-ccroSs the hall But Ada always
leaves the doors open between her room
and mine. In csse I should need any,
thing In the night, Naturally the shot
II her room wakened me Let me
see. I must have Just fallen to sleep.
Ny back was giving me a great deal Of
tFoCb3e last night ] had suffered all
cav with il. though !, Of course. didn't
tel any OF the children about it. Little
they care how their paraiyized old
mother suffers. And then Just as
] had managed 70 daze of. there came
the report and was wide awake again
lying here helpless. unable 10 move
and wondering what awful thing might
De going 70 happen TO me And no one
came 10 see II ] was all right. no one
Thought Of me-. alone and defenselcss
But then, no one ever THINKS of me"
I'm sure it wasn't any lack OF con-
Siderat3oD. Mrs. Greens" Markham as
sureo her earnestly, The siruaticn
probably drove everything rnomenssrily
from their minds except the two VIC
f1glas Of the shooting Tell me this did
yoa he2r any other sounds IN Mss
Aeazs room after the shot awakened
yo12"
i heard the poor girl fall-z; least.
II sounded hke that ''
But no other noises 0s any kind2
NO footsteps. for iaStance?"
Fooistcpg?" She seened TO MAKE an
e1crT 10 recall her impressions mo.
no footsteps "
Did you hear the door into the hau
open or close. madam" Ii was Vance
what put the question.
Tae woman turned her eyeS sharply
ara glarec al him.
No. heard no door open or close.
That's rather queer, 100, don't you
tF1snk2 pursued Vance The intruder
na1g. nave left the room
] suppose he must have. If he's not
tneFe now. sfas replied acadiy. turning
again 70 ts1e district attorney lis there
anything Else you'd care 70 EnowY"
Markham evidently had perceived the
inapoSSa5al1fY O. eIicigsng any vital in
formation from her
think lot, he answered. then
soeecc You. o. course heard the but
ieF and your son here enter Miss Aaas
E99n12"
on, yes. They nssae enough noase
co21g h--they cid2s't consider my feel
snga in the Least Tta. fuss budget.
EpFoos. actually cried oIt for Chester
Ike 2 ngsser2czg woman: ard, from the
May be raised his voice over the teIe-
pEsc1e, one weEl6 have thought Or.
voE E3on vas def, Then Chester Rad
70 rouse tiae mscle hoa1se for some i4n-
known Yessc-. Or, there was no peace
FNes FIR La ns sMSm@ =