New Britain herald., 1929-02-08

umphantly. Rand. get headquar- ters on the line again--or gay. have the central telephone office tie up one of these lines for headquarters calls. Tell the chief to have Rita Dubois brought here as soon as she can be found. What's her telephone , number. Miss Lester? suppose you know 1t, If she and Borden were friendly"
 Ruth reached for her desk calen. dar and turned to the leaf devoted to the previous Tuesday. Its Piedmont 0400. Miss Dubois has a private phone and I don't know her ad- dress"
 "Got that. Rand? All right. Miss Lester. Did Rita and Borden quarrel? Exactly what happened ?"
 Jack Hayward sat down upon the edge of Ruth's desk and laid one of his hands upon her two clenched. icy little fists. She looked at him gratefully. her eyes brimming with love, before she went on: "No. they didn't quarrel. They-seemed very happy. could hear them laughing, although the door was closed. while they were in-there," and Ruth jerked her head toward the private office which was a temporary morgue for the man who had laughed and loved on Saturday.
 Mrs. Borden came while Miss Dubois was with MT. Borden and told her he was-in conference. and she made an appointment to come back between half-past one and two MT. Borden had told me he would be in his office until about two. since his train would not leave until 2:15 and he planned to lunch on the diner"
 with Rita Dubois?" McNlann shot 1t her.
 "He did not tell me who was to 70 with him." Ruth answered truthfully. And Miss Dubois did not take me into her confidence either. I do know. however. that he planned to take-a woman. for he had me wire for reservations at the Winter Haven hotel. in the name of MT. and Mrs. H. P. Benton. The drawing room reservation was made in that name also"
 "AN right!" McMann made note. What next? When did Dita leave?"
 "shortly after Mrs. Borden about five minutes" Ruth answered.
 McMann's constant Interruptions and questions had shunted her off the subject of Mrs. Borden. but she was not sorry that there was no opportunity now to tell him of the poor. discarded wife's jealousy and humiliation-a humiliation 50 keen that she had become i'll. Why tell McMann now about Mrs. Borden's having seen the automatic pistol in the bottom drawer of the desk Time enough to tell if 1t should become necessary
 McMann turned again to the po- liceman who sat at the telephone. an extension of which was on the absent office boys desk. Get the chief again. Rand" As he waited for the connection, the detective turned to Ruth with another question: Hear or see anything between Borden and Rita when she was leaving?"
 Ruth knit her brows. and Jack Hayward pressed her hands hard. His eyes were filled with compassion aa he was forced to stand by while she went through this ordeal.
 "Mr. Borden and Miss Dubois came out of the private office to- gether. laughing and talking. Miss Dubois said something about shop ping. Said she could do more shop ping in two hours than most women could do in day. And jokingly told him not to call up the stores and limit the charge accounts he was opening for her."
 And what did Borden say?" Mo. Mann demanded. his pencil busy. Gold digging him. eh?"
 4lC Auo~CICu oVlhVtuIlB 4 didn't understand about her keeping her bargain and he'd keep his. He said. Mind you don't double-cross me. Rita'-or words to that effect. But he was in great good humor. and waved goodby to her"
 Just . minute" McMann inter- and reached for the phone extension on Ruth's desk. Hello. chief. McMann. Yeah. Oh. sure! Robbery or . passion crime. don't know which yet. Might even be revenge. Too many leads. if you ask me. Say. chief. send Clay put to get Mrs. Borden Wait! I'll get the address"
 Ruth supplied it. from memory: Mrs. Elizabeth Borden. 351s Cres- cent boulevard"
 Her lips felt dry and stiff as she the words. After all, Mrs Borden was Borden's wife-or rather. his widow! And she loved him., It had been 50 painfully obvious to Ruth on Saturday. when ho l. A A.. A.