The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-03-14

SCI, uCINOuotJ hung UP IhS 49,
Il phone receiver. He turned to his
beautiful wife, daintily clad in a
kimonO, a look of abject terror in his
honest blue eyes.
"Mary," his words froze in his
throat. He was shaking as one shakes
during q nervous chill. He tried to
speak, but his words choked and died
In a husky voice strangely overpow-
cred by emotion. His eyes, like ghosts
peeping from tombs, finally rested in
a blank stare on the family Bible, still
open after the quiet hour of evening
devotions.
"Philip," came the gentle voice Of a
woman with poise and balance. "Phil-
ip, what on earth has happened; who
telephoned to you at this hour; what
was the message?"
1t was several minutes before this
strong man could talk coherently. In
broken sentences, punctuated by long
pauses, jerking muscles and deep sobs.
Mrs. Whitecastle learned that news
paper reporter from the Morning Life
had telephoned her husband. The re-
porter had informed Philip that the
Morning Life would carry story con-
meeting his name with that of wom-
an, recluse, who had just died.
"What comment has Mr.. Whitecas-
tie to make?" the reporter inquired.
The little illuminated clock on the
mantel struck eleven.
Philip, without a word, limped to
the door.
"But, Philip, surely you are not 60
ing out tonight? William isn't home
yet, and I'm afraid to be alone"
The last words Of this gentle pro-
test were unheard by Philip. He was
blindly cropping his, way down the
street.
Just as the little, illuminated clock
struck twelve a knock came at the
door.
"Who is there?" and Mrs. Whitecas-
tie attempted to conceal her fear.
"It's me, mother; it's William-let
me in-oh, please hurry"-and his
voice was full of agitation; he was
like some one in a trance being
chased by burglars.
"Mother, mother, DEAR" he cried, as
the door opened. He showed into the
hand of this brave little woman a
copy of the Morning Life. There, on
the front page, like daggers, in glar-
ing red letters, she read:
"Philip Whitecastle's Name Linked
With Woman"
Her eyes glistening with scalding
tears she read on while William
stood silently as one struck dumb:
''The death of an unknown recluse
In a dark, musty room at 123 Jane
street Is linked with the name of
Philip Whitecastle. married, church
man, and the dean of engineers on the
NJ. f. T. railroad. A joint bank &C.
count book was found in her room
when police investigated late last
night"
Mrs. Whitecastle, after long pause
and a struggle at self-control, was the
first to speak:
william. my son, your father and /
have lived an ideal married life. You
are now twenty-one years Of age. For
twenty-five glorious years your father
and have been pals, sweethearts.
No cloud has marred our happiness.
Whatever that cruel newspaper story
suggests will be satisfactorily ex-
planned by your father. We have
trusted each other implicitly, and long
ago we agreed never to doubt each
other on apparent circumstances
woven by secondhand information. ]
know everything will be all right, my
boy"
"But, mother, Jane told me-"
A key ratified in the keyhole Of the
door. The door opened. Philip White
castle with three reporters at his
heels, entered.
"Mr. Whitecastle," began one re-
porter you have, no doubt. read the
morning paper?"
"Yes."
swell. what is the real story back
Of this mysterious setting?"
Mysterious" and Philip shrugged
his shoulders helplessly.
"Perhaps you prefer that your wife
and son leave the room while we dis
cuss this AFFAIR.""
ION the contrary. insist that they
remain"
"Mr. Whitecastle. back of the death
Of this recluse. this woman, is story.
an interesting story, might say. The
public demands that we print the
news. We propose to get that story
from your lips. If possible. but, re-
CARELESS Of that, we have enough
facts right now to write story.
1--WE know that you and this woman
had joint bank account. You had
had 1t for many years. We know that
you frequently visited her. We know
that she left $4,000. We know that
you were the only one with a key to
her trunk, to her jewel box. We
know that you invested money for her.
We suspect that she was once a wom-
an Of power and intiuence-ah, yes
even refinement. dare say.