Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1938-04-21
81 One more.U eddinq2N
bT mt Hsa1n g CENTRAL 's s=.," Sf15 l4


THE GNOOP WHICH waited IN
the vast living room of the Worth
ington lodge, impatient for the ar
rival of the police, divided itself
into two groups. Barbara could
feel the sides being called, just as
though they had leaders and were
lining up. One side believed that
she knew nothing about Julia's
activities. One side was afraid
that she did. No on. though,
doubted Julia's guilt of Minton's
murder.
When Wenda had screamed out
that Barbara had gun, Barbara
had continued coming down the
stairs. She went straight to Basil
Worthington and handed it to him.
She was aware that Garry was
standing near her.
"It was Mr.. Minton's gun. 1
heard him suggesting good game
to Bobbie, one where Bobbie would
press the trigger when he gave
the word. A little later Bobbie
had an idea that it was necessary
to make a big noise, so I took
the gun. You see, didn't believe
Mr.. Minton when he said the gun
was empty. But it was. in
tended to apologize"
II witnessed the scene, Mr..
Worthington," Garry added. "And
I have bunch that the gun had
been loaded when Bobbie was first
asked to be an accomplice.
It was then that Barbara had
dropped down on the davenport,
while Garry sat near her. Wenda
said no more, but her face was as
white as her dress. Suddenly she
began to cry softly.
Don't" Garry said.
Through the maze of suffering
and bewilderment that dimmed
the brightness of the room, Bar
bara caught the agony in his tone.
II said such awful things. I
II even accused Barbara of know
ing something about all of this.
Oh, Garry, how could I? How
could II"
The acting was superb. Jimmy
Minton wouldn't have lost his
hundred thousand dollars, Barbara
thought. Garry might believe
that Wenda was penitent and
would begin to shield her. He
would not realize, caught in the
web of a silken voice and golden
hair, that Wenda's darts had gone
home, suspicion had been aroused,
and her own reluctancy for re-
peating her words would only
make the case stronger.
Were men always and forever
so dumb where women were con-
cerned?
Wenda was shrewd with the
cunning of a serpent. She, Bar
bara, had aroused Garry's protec-
tive instinct. Wenda knew that
was bad so she had shown need
for the same protection.
cit was a strain that might
have ratified anyone" Garry an
swered quietly. Explain to the
commissioner when he comes"
Garry, will you get me some
water ?" Wenda asked.
Certainly" He poured some
from the long sideboard that stood
near the fireplace and brought it
back to her. He made no effort
to speak again to her.
Barbara knew that Wenda was
angry because she had not been
able to look at him and win him
back. Even with tragedy all
around, Barbara smiled. Garry
was real. He might be hurt but
he would not fall again for shoddi-
ness. No, Wenda had played her
cards and lost. This new attitude
Of Garry toward Wenda, Barbara
realized in no way affected her.
She and Garry had been finished
before any of this had happened.
Pity and gratitude might pass for
synthetic love with some people.
They were not good enough for
her; not good enough for Garry,
either.
The commissioner of police ar
rived. Several other members of
the police force in the nearby town
came, too, and police were on their
way from New York. The atmos-
phere, that had been heavy and
oppressive while the people
waited, came to life swiftly.
you will take your places, just
as you Were minute before the
shot rang out" the commissioner
said.
Barbara looked at Garry. Then
she started upstairs. Garry fol-
lowed. Af ~
us EVERYONE here ?" the COM