The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-10-06


"How did you become acquainted
with Miss Dumont in the first placer"
"Our affair began In Chicago year
ago last fall" Doctor Prince related.
"Laura's show, 1.-THE Blue Rose" had
long run there; and I was attending
medical convention in the city. We
met at studio party of Layton Knoll.
an artist and former classmate of
mine, and readily formed an intimate
friendship. Then, when the show
came here in the winter, and she quit
1t to marry Jordan. we continued to
make the most of our opportunities"
"And his awkward interruption of
your affair."" Rankin inquired,
happened on his last birthday. didn't
itT
Eyes, on Tuesday, May sixth; he
just walked in without warning at
about nine O'clock in the evening"" the
alumnus admitted without apology.
1.-THE previous weekend, he did not
visit her; writing her that his studies
and track practice detained him.
Meanwhile he secretly planned to join
her after hours on his birthday and
surprise her pleasantly" He paused,
an amused smile playing unashamed
on his lips. ut was difficult to tell
who was most surprised. We had just
completed an informal late supper in
Laura's bedroom; she wore negligee
and 1 I'm afraid was hardly in
the most conventional attire"
Rankin nodded at this confirmation
of his deductions. "What occurred
then?"
"Well, there was no scene. If that is
what you mean; the boy took it quiet
ly--in fact, was the least fiustered Of
the three. After the first shock, he
didn't demand an explanation, but
only expressed his regret and disap-
pointment. 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 a continued al
lowance. Laura visited Hannibal sew
eral times in the vain hope of winning
him back. And during the summer, /
believe he went to the west coast to
escape her. heard that only indirect
ly, because In the meantime, as said,
we two also parted company"
Certain that the doctor lied about
seyering his relations with the actress,
Rankin asked: "And what caused you
to separator Did you quarrel? Had
Mrs. Jordan found another sweet.
hearth"
.Oh, no, 1t wasn't that" Doctor
Prince returned easily. "Why does
one usually break of? Like other
people, we grew tired Of our affair
and mutually decided to end it. Some
how, It wasn't the same after the boy
got wind Of 1t. We parted the best of
friends, however, even though, we
haven't met since"
'aThen you wouldn't know Of her
trip to Philadelphia just before Stuart
died She went secretly; 1t looks to
me as if she might have some connec-
ton with the tragedy ITSELF"
The tentative theory was a trap to
force the physicians hand, tempting
him to produce his faxed alibi for
Laura Jordan and thus reveal his own
dishonesty.
But he evaded 1t cleverly. II don't
believe that for moment" was all he
said. Unfortunately, have no knowl-
edge of her recent movements"
"Yet Myra Prentiss," Rankin stated
deliberately. twas definitely lied to un-
derstand that you do. More than that.
you also spent the last month with her
In love nest at Lake Geneva"
At this calculated attack, for one
brief second, Doctor Princes features
turned pasty hue with fresh dread.
But again. he recovered himself.
you're talking in riddles, RAN
kin" he rasped out. "This Prentiss
woman is mistaken, whoever she isl"
Rankin fully disclosed his own
strong hand. "Do you deny, Doctor
Prince, knowing that she imperson-
ated Laura In st. Louis? She believed
Mrs. Jordan went north with you; and
she met her in Philadelphia last week,
supposing she had just left you.
Actually, Laura had been east for some
time setting her plans, and at this end
completing her alibi with your help"
"Of course deny Ill" the doctor ex-
claimed, on edge. Everything! On
it, are you daring to suggest I'm re-
sponsible for the boys murder?"
II suggest you knew where your
lover was this last month and the pur-
pose of her trip; that. in fact, you
contrived 1t with her. That you were
also aware Stuart intended to divorce
his wife when he reached twenty-five
and so disinherit her. That you, could
have given her the information she
needed to enter the Mu Beta Sigma
house during the initiation. That
you might have supplied the poi
son.
A murderous rage contorted the
alumnus' face. Quivering with an
overwhelming fear. he leaped to his
feet and crashed his fist on the desk.
- lob l. -