Henderson daily dispatch., 1935-10-19
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CHAPTER SO

L
WAS 1T TRUE or was it not true ?
Was David Van Cleve dead or had
Horton Van Cleve manufactured his
death to deal a cruel blow to his
aunt? Why should he want her to
think David dead? Did he hope
that would break her reason? Did
he want to force her to give him
some control he didn't have? Did he
want her to make a new will leaving
everything to him?
That was the solution. Carol felt
certain.
She was not the only one in that
household who felt that there was
something mysterious about the re-
ception of that fatal unseen mes
sage; Katie had said that they "all"
found 1t odd. And there had been
no wire from a Mr.. Creighton the
night before. There had been no
wire for the Van Cleves And Alice
Van Cleve had said very clearly that
they had received a wire the night
before
Carol paused. There was still the
Postal Telegraph Office. The wire
might have come from there. She
knew the office. she had often sent
wires from there herself. A few
minutes walk took her to the neigh
borhood office and once again she
tried her ruse; she asked to see the
wire that had been sent to the Van
Cleyes. adding that she wanted to
see Mr.. Creighton's initials. There
had been no wire.
Carol had much more than that
to think OF. She knew that tonight
Horton. Van Cleve was going to tell
her that her services were no longer
desired. She must hurry back, she
must see Miranda alone. She might
tell her :. =. OH. she must be eau
tious indeed lest she rouse hopes
that would be cruelty wrong. But
somehow she must let Miranda
know what she had learned.
Miranda looked at her with leaden
Syes. A wet handkerchief was
ert1nhled In her trembling hand. She
trtedfto speak but her mouth only
waVered-
Carol closed the door carefully be-
hind her and sped to the side Of the
older woman.
II know" she said quickly. "I
know what has happened but :.
now please be strong for my sake
and your own =. and David's :"
When Carol spoke tears welled up in
Miranda's eyes again and fell silent
ly down her pale cheek-"Miss
Miranda. you must trust me. / do
not believe that David is dead"
Carol was afraid after she had
spoken that Miss Miranda would not
be able to stand that shock but Carol
did not know the strength and STAN
ina Of some frail women.
"Why don't you?" She could
Scarcely hear the words.
Then. speaking rapidly and as low
AZ she could. Carol told her what the
servants had said. about her own
trip to the telegraph offices.
"But why would they tell me
THAR" Carol could see that hope
was beginning to kindle in Miss Van
Cleve's mind.
eff they are willing to to do
other things to you. they might think
II better for you to believe that
David cannot help you"
"Of course. OF course" Miranda
wet her lips and color came back
in her cheeks. Carol we must work
quickly. am getting desperate
Horton and his wife are unscrupu-
lous. And II you ever go away 7
will be alone. I may not be able TO
get to you. We must make our plans
now"
"What plans. Miss Mranda?"
II can't stay here. Don't you see?
IF my nephew would stoop to such
cruelty 40 that, he will do worse. He
would e. he would commit me to a
living death. can't risk that. I
shall run away"
"Run away?" Carol asked aghast.
'"Yes run away. 1t wouldn't seem
like such . funny idea IL were
younger. would it7 1 am strong. I
am no more fragile than you. Habit
-.