The Coolidge examiner., 1933-12-29

He found out about you only last
May, after his marriage, when he
happened To visit his wife unex-
pectedly from school. That was why
he decided To quit Aberdeen and go
10 college elsewhere. There's no
point, Doctor, in claiming you were
ignorant of Stuart's movements.
Mrs. Jordan kept you well posted.
In several letters she wrote the boy.
asking his forgiveness, she admits
you were her lover. And to per-
suade him of her good faith. she
promised him to forget you com
pletely." He lied convincingly. Ger
tain that Doctor Prince could
scarcely know the exact tenor of
the actress correspondence.
AS though in anger that some
part of his plans had gone awry,
the Doctors features revealed a
genuine fury. mingled with his sud-
den alarm. you found some of her
lettersf" He compressed his lips Vi
ciously, then regained his suavity
with an effort. "You are on the
wrong track altogether. Rankin.
Whatever she wrote, they have
nothing to do with me-"
Except as very satisfactory
proof of your association. Stuart's
blindness and how he detected you.
1t would carry weight as evidence
In court"
Abruptly. Doctor Prince appeared
to realize the futility of further eva
sion.
We'll. what II Laura and were
lovers for a whlle?" he shrugged.
That's an old story; II has been
over since last June-nearly ten
months. In fact. we broke off soon
after Jordan discovered US togeth-
er in May"
Since the letters had only vague
ly outlined the circumstances lead
ing TO that exposure, the detective
asked: 81 suppose that occurred In
the Somerset apartments he had
taken for his wife."
Yes" Doctor Prince answered
willingly enough You see, the ar
rangement was that Jordan visited
Laura only over the week-ends; at
other times. he couldn't very well
get away from Aberdeen. And Han
nibaI was too small n town in which
to establish his wife secretly. That
left me most of the week with her
though | didn't take advantage of
II: W. were careful not to make my
presence conspicuous and start the
other tenants gossiplng."
How did you become acquaint.
ed With Miss Dumont In the first
placer"
"Our affair began In Chicago a
year ago last fall" Doctor Prince
related. "Laura's show. The Blue
Rose had a long run there: and
was attending a medical convention
in the city. We met at a studio
party OF Layton Kroll an artist
and former classmate of mine. and
readily formed an intimate friend,
ship. Then. when the show came
here In the winter. and she quit 1t
to marry Jordan. we continued To
make the most of our opportuni-
ties"
And his awkward interruption OF
your affair."" Rankin In
| quired. happened on his last birth.
day. didn't it?"
"Yes. on Tuesday, May sixth: he
just walked in without warning at
about nine o'clock In the evening" :"
| the alumnus admitted without apol-
ogy. "The previous week end. he
did not visit her; writing her that
bis studies and track practice de-
tanned him. Meanwhile he secretly
planned to Join her after hours on
his birthday end surprise her pleas
antly." He paused. an amused smile
| playing unashamed on his lips at
was difficult TO tell who was most
surprised. We had just completed
an informal late supper in Laura's
bedroom; she wore negligee and I
I'm afraid | was hardly In
the most conventional attire"
Rankin nodded at this confirma-
tion of his deductions. "What oc-
Cured then?"
well. there was no scene, II that
is what you mean: the boy took 1t
quietly-in fact. was the least
flustered of the three. After the
first shock. he didn't demand an ex-
PLANTATION. but only expressed his
regret and disappointment. OF
course. he felt bitter; he informed
Laura that she could have the
apartment. but he was through
Then. before she could find her
tongue, he hurried out. Later. he
wrote from school that he intended
to get away to Philadelphia and
not see her again: but he assured
her of continued allowance. Laura
visited Hannibal several times in
the vain hope of winning him back.
And during the summer. | believe
he went TO the west coast to escape