Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-11-09

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"His Mistress? You Mean the Boy
and the Writer Were Having an
Affair."?
What did the letters say to give you
such an idea?'
First my attention was caught by a
reference to the fact that they had
shared an apartment together for some
months" Mr.. Fletcher related. "He
had evidently taken 1t for her, for she
reminded him of their pleasures to-
gether and reiterated her affection for
him. She seemed anxious to rejoin
him after a separation; and the tone
OF her messages was placating as II
to cOnciliate him, after some differ
ence with him. Other letters, which
also acknowledged money he sent her,
Indicated he was at school during
their affair. She mentioned the week
ends as the only time he could get
away to spend with her. That meant
their intrigue was clandestine and the
arrangement secret. while he ostensi-
bly, lived respectfully at college"
The detective shook his head sober
ly. THAT doesn't sound at all like
Jordan" he commented. "My in
quiries suggest he was decent, quiet
and well-behaved."
Quiet chaps are often the most de-
ceptive," the lawyer returned. "And
/ was only too ready to credit the let
tiers. At the moment, was too rushed
to discover from where they came and
when they were written; and l couldn't
tell how long ago their rehabilitation
occurred. It had apparently ceased
for the time being. But II the boy
had lived with this woman at any time
this year. while at Philadelphia. had
a weapon to cause his dismissal"
"Then how is it possible you were
mistaken? The facts seem to speak
for themselves"
Mr. Fletcher replied slowly, with en-
phasis. Because they had another
Interpretation, which failed to con-
sider-the correct one" He paused.
Namely, that instead Of his mistress.
the writer was his wife. Their nup-
tials were a secret, but even so, the
affair was entirely legal"
Where Rankin was astonished be-
fore. this revelation left him literally
speechless.
His wife? he exclaimed finally.
"Good Cd, are you positive of that?
! have had no inkling before Of her
existence from any source whatever"
"But he's married, nevertheless.
Later, In my Office, l studied the let
tiers at my leisure and learned the sit
uati0n. They alluded several times to
their wedding last spring; and she
tried TO win him back by recalling the
obligations he owed her as her hus-
band This apartment from which she
wrote was in st. Louis; he visited her
there regularly from the college he
attended last year-Aberdeen, in Ham
nibal, Mo. But since coming to Phila-
delphia in September. he has evidently
not seen her. For whatever reason
they concealed their marriage, 1t
proved useless for my purpose
sand just who is Jordan's wife?
Does she write anything 10 identify
herr?
"She signs herself Laura, Rankin"
the lawyer replied. "Offhand. l don't
remember her address, but you'll find
it on the envelopes. My notion is that
before meeting Jordan, she was on the
stage. And you can probably Gull
other details of their association from
various statements she makes"
The detective asked no further cues
lions about the correspondence. He
preferred to study the letters at first
hand; speculation as to the new facts
promised, the opening of fresh vistas.
possible new implications with regard
to the crime could await his reading.
Instead, he rose to conclude the inter-
view.
"Just one more detail about Monday
night, Mr.. Fletcher" he said. "What
made you return home rather than re-
main in town? Had you reason to sus-
pvt JONA WAAC WOuiu hui UG dIOuG
mo, 1t was really my state of mind
After what happened Saturday, 1 was
too disturbed to want to spend the
night away from her. Especially with
the limousine at my disposal. And
so, although my business meeting was
not over until quite late, I decided
not to go to a hotel.'
"Where are the letters you took,
now, Mr.. Fletcher" Rankin inquired.
I'm my private safe at home. Nat.
urally, after Jordan died so tragically.
scarcely cared to advertise my in
tentiOns. And having no opportunity
to return them. it seemed best to re-
tain them and keep quiet about the
whole business"
swell, see to 1t that receive them
as quickly as you can obtain Them"
the detective instructed. 81 must have
them this evening. IL vo,A vu,sh T,Il