The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-01-11


great deal II you will tell us all you
know about It."
'But I don't know anything" the
girl protested.
you know that Rylie didn't like
Franklin-that he was trying to keep
his sister from marrying him, didn't
your"
Eyes. know that. Rylie told me
about another woman, an actress"
"When was that?'
"Ths afternoon"
Before the weddIng?"
Eyes. l had an engagement with
Rylie. You see," the girls manner
was easier now, "the stockings which
we're sent to match my frock for this
afternoon weren't quite the right
shade and 1t was necessary for me
to get others. Rylie was to bring me
home, but phoned, saying that he
couldn't. That was when he told me
about this other woman. He wanted
to see Jim Franklin"
auu ufu lie see UlIU
He hadn't then"
but that worried you, did IT."
The girl nodded.
"Why?" Kilday interrupted. Then,
without giving the girl opportunity to
reply. continued, "That was when he
told you he was going TO stop the
wedding, wasn't IT."
The girl made no reply but the ex-
preston on her face was answer
| enough.
WAS that why you went to the
sacristy just before the wedding, In
curing for Rylie?" Peter continued
| gravely.
NO There was an almost fmper-
ceptble culver In the girls voice. IT
mean--wkl, went to the sacrsty, all
| right. but not because of what Rylie
| had said"
''Then why did you go?"
Because Calls eyes wavered from
one man to the other, because of
something Web Spears said" She Was
leaning forward, her nervous fingers
twisting the handkerchief In her lap
ceaselessly. web" she continued
left the church just a few minutes
before the wedding was to begin.
The wedding party was gathered In
the vestibule I WAS standing by
| Doris, as he came out.
Aren't you going to stay for the
wedding, Web7' Doris asked him.
No. he answered. And then he
said Where's Rylie7 II he were here
there wouldn't be any wedding
THAT frightened me- knew Rylia
had been terribly angry at Jim Frank
lin, since he had learned about this
actress. And I was worried because
he wasn't In the church. SO / ran
around to the sacristy to see II he
were there. He wasn't there.
Later, after the announcement
that the wedding was postponed, | met
Rylie out In front, and he brought me
home. was frightened. | thought
that he had had something to do with
1t. That's why Rylie didn't 20 back
to see what had happened. He
thought the wedding had gone on, In
spite OF everything he could do. You
see, he had seen Jim Franklin, earlier,
| and then he went home, to try to stop
Doris, before she left for the church.
"But he missed her at home, and
when he returned. he heard the we'd
ding march playing, inside, and
| thought he was too late. And l.
when saw him." the girl choked back
the tears, u jumped to the conclusion
that he was responsible, and asked
him to take me home. Later, AZ soon
us Rylie understood what had hap
pened, he hurried back to the church.
"This is the truth, Mr.. Cardigan.
You must believe me- / was fright
ened for Rylle. That's why / didn't
tell the truth. at first. I didn't want
you to know that had suspected him
OF some part In this. Because he IL
innocent. You do believe me. don't
your"
Before Peter could reply, Sergeant
Kilday interrupted. This still doesn't
explain how you knew there had been
murder, Miss Shipley"
| Il didn't" The girl turned on him
quickly. II didn't. was afraid some
thing like that had happened, but I
didn't know"
| "And did you only go back to the
sacrsty once7" The sergeant chewed
medtatively on his cold stogy.
Eyes, of course. Just once. I've told
you about that"
Kilday rose abruptly. "Thank You,
Miss Shipley," he said. you've been
Of great help. I'll hurry along, Peter.
Meet me at the car"
Peter knew what that meant. The
sergeant wanted time to try Frank
Inns keys In the door while there was
no one In the hall. His part was to
detain the girl here a few seconds
longer.
He found the task distasteful-
Against his better judgment, Calls had
almost convinced him of Rylie Car
mody's innocence. even while admit