Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-02-20
The Sealed Trunk
BY Henry Kitehel Webster
copy4rna by me BOsbu-Msrrn Ca wNu SERVES
, KitchelI Webster

her, had burst into a rage. She
had sprung to her feet and was
fairly pouring vituperation over
him By the bucketful II was plain
that he was terrified Of her. If
she'd been less absorbed In her own
passion, she must have seen that
he was signaling for help. feebly,
but with no concealment nc all, he
was looking and waving his shaky
hand straight toward where Mar
tin and Rhoda stood
There was a comic element I'm
this scene which Martin had been
enjoying. but SOW the woman
made q move which startled him.
She stepped back out OF the pos
sible reach OF Forster's hand and,
snatching up her wrIstbag from
the corner OF the desk. jerked II
open.
III she's got q gun IN that bag
she'll shoot him." Martin said to
Rhoda, and would have jumped for
the little door which led into the
room II she hadn't stopped him BY
~clutching his arm.
NO, she won't she told him.
It's a letter she's looking for. /
wish she would shoot him, though.
I'd like to myself. He deserves it.
She had told what the woman's
intentions were with a degree Of
confidence that was almost convlnc-
ing. All the same IL struck Mar
tin as rather uncaRny when sec
onds after Rhoda had finished
speaking he saw Claire actually
produce a letter from her wrist
bag. and still taking care 70 keep
out of Forster's reach. began read
ing II aloud to him
-Rhoda, darling" he cried, show
did you know she was going 70 do
that?'
She stood looking az him now,
face flushed. eyes bright with tears.
leaving the scene they had been
watching SO intently to lay itself
out unregarded. II know all about
X new" She stood wavering a mo-
ment and then came into his arms
again. ~elineing TO him. her face
buried against his chest He
couldn't make out the mufled
words very well. but he thought she
was saying. Aren't you glad the
nightmares over7-
Mystified. but none the less bliss
ful, he said he was. and as he bent
down over her she held up her face
for his kiss with a simplicity that
brought unexpected tears into his
own eyes This was something set
tied, anyhow. for good
A raucous voice broke now upon
them-Conley'si declaring with pro-
fame Celebrations that he would be
id They'd forgotten his very
existence and had allowed him to
come to. There could be no doubt
OF his intentions particularly to-
gard Martin, MS he came bounding
UP the steps toward them. but an
cutlery and n gesture from Rheda
detected his attention toward what
was happening In the big room
Forster. rummaging desperately
with his half palsied hands In the
shallow drawer Of hts d@mk. had
pulled cut a long barrelcd. old-fash-
Toned revolver. and vhen. directed
By Rhoda's CRY, they looked, they
saw the old man trelng Go point II
at Claire. She flung herself upon
him and Erappled with htrn for the
possession Of H. This was a clear
call Of professional duty for the
detective and he abandoned. though
with visible reluctance. the private
project with Martin to 70 TO the
rescue. springing down the steps
and bursting open the door beside
the fireplace just as the old-fash-
Toned revolver. with q p~rodigious
bang, went o6.