The Coolidge examiner., 1936-01-03

play"
"Not the slightest! Mr.. Maiden
was here alone with his wife, TO
all appearances as well as ever,
when he simply fell to the floor dy-
ing"
LET me tell my people about 1t
alone, won't you, doctor? I'm sure
you realize what it means to me
to go over the details"
Certainly, my dear child. Forgive
me for unnecessary references. Now,
Mr.. Lowell, do you not think we
should summon the mortuary peo-
ple?'
1T seems so to me, but am l the
one to advise? viii not some of
the family or relatives at Maiden
House come here?"
Il fancy not. Mr.. Malden's moth
er is not able to leave her home, and
there are no others in the family
except servants. Mrs. Maiden has
expressed a tentative wish that we
take the body of the late Mr.. NAL
den there for burial. Yet we should
not start without further notice."
Telephone again." said Malcolm.
"Ill look after it, get directions and
generally supervise"
"Yes, do, Malcolm" said Perilla.
"We can't go unannounced, and we
must CO."
Hardwicke, who had been talking
to Boynton, came to the group in
the sitting room. Il think" he said,
rather than to have Mr.. Fairfax
telephone Maiden House, l would
better do it. l have known the fam
lily for years. At any rate, suppose
| begin the conversation"
"Oh, do, Mr.. Hardwicke," said
Malcolm. Il only proposed it to be
of assistance" These two went
downstairs, leaving Perilla alone
with her father and Sarah.
"Tell me in a few words, DEAR"
Lowell said to his stepdaughter.
Briefly, but without emitting any
important details, Perilla told just
what had happened.
"Now, Perilla," said Mr.. Lovell.
81 want going to say this, to you,
but l think I'd better. You listen,
too, Sarah. You know and l know,
Perilla, how much you and Corey
loved each other. We all know, at
home, how devoted you were. But
the whole world doesn't know that.
There may easily be people in the
world, in Washington, even in this
hotel who are ready to think you
were instrumental in killing your
husband. Hush, dear, don't cry out.
This is thing you must face. 1t
cannot be ignored or forgotten.
Don't think about it now, don't wor
ry, don't talk. When we can, we
will discuss it, but not now. 1t
may never be spoken of, yet again,
it may. 1 know you understand"
II do, Dad, oh, l do. thought
of it at once, but we won't cross the
bridge until we come to it."
Good girl. Now here is Malcolm
back. What news, boy"
"Mr. Hardwicke is a fine fellow.
He fixed it all up, and we're to go
on down to Richmond as soon as we
are ready. But don't you think I'd
better stay here? There'll be things
to see to, I'm sure. Just as you say,
though"
Malcolm looked doubtfully at his
sister, and she guessed what he was
thinking of.
"Out with it, NAL" she said, look
ing deeply thoughtful. Are you
afraid for me-?
Afraid of what?"
Afraid of anything. For, Of
course, l was here alone with
Corey"
"Hush, not a word. But 1 do
think I'd better stay here, and you
two go on to Richmond, with Boyn-
ton and Sarah.
Yes, that's the BEST" said Low.
ell. "Perilla, do you know any OF
Corey's friends in Washington"
1.-TWO or three fine ones whom l
met yesterday afternoon, or last
night, that's about all. One, in par
ticular, a Mr.. Carmichael, is a fine
man, and would do anything for us,
but we don't want a lawyer, do
we?"
"No, of course not" declared her
brother. "Well, since you're urged
to go, let's start"
'I'm afraid" moaned Perilla.
Cant I say I'm too sick to go?"
mo, indeed. Brace up, girl, every
thing will be all right. You two,
and Sarah and Boynton will go in
your car, Pril. The mOrtician peo-
pie will look after things here
Pril, what did keel Corey over?"
"Be quiet, Malcolm" and John
Lowell glowered at him.
mo, father" Perilla said, quietly,
81 must get used to it. My Corey
is gone, and I must be brave and
dignified, for his sake. Yes. Nal,
you have arranged it just right. l
mean, about your staying here"
"YOu're n good many kinds of
brick, Pril," said her brother.
Better get off, then. The drive