The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-11-18
CHAPTER x-Continued

-ZX-
The District Attorneys words in
his closing argument came back TO
Phil in burning phrases:
"He decided to kill her. How do
we know? Because he stole his sons
revolver. If he wanted to carry
weapon for any legitimate purpose,
he, a man of standing, would have
asked for and would have received
permit; he would have bought
modern pistol, compact, easily car
ried, effective. Instead, knowing his
son was away, knowing the absence
of the gun would not be detected,
knowing it was an old weapon that
could not be traced, he chose to use
that to commit the murder he had
planned. He planned the murder,
he arranged a pretext to explain
his return to the office that night
the forgotten coffee-pot-in case ne
encountered someone on the way.
He made an designation with his
victim. He met her there, he killed
her, he staged clumsy fake rob-
berry =.
Pills thoughts ran over and over
the same words; and Linda sudden
ly was beside him. He had not
heard her come. She said nothing;
only took her stand there firmly, her
arm through his, her eyes straight
ahead.
He said at last, Funny, but ] feel
-
''Soon be spring." she murmured.
He exclaimed, surprised: "Queer
you should say that. It's just what
I was thinking"
81 know! People get to be that
way, knowing each others thoughts,
sometimes" She added: Barbara
seems better. But / saw you from
the window, so / came down.
He told her what Doctor Mainton
had said. "And he wants someone
to sit with her, talk to her." he ex-
planned. "You or me-"
ST can't stay for lunch," she con-
fessed. "But I'll come and be with
her this afternoon.
Phil and his mother had lunch to-
gether, and at first they were silent,
but at last she said:
"Phil, I've been meaning to speak
to you. There is something we shall
have to decide. You and I. You,
really" And she explained Mr.. Lor-
ans demand for the dissolution Of
the partnership.
Dill @.;ol 10 foorrc hi fhOrIohfc ny,
this new problem. "Shall we sell?"
he suggested; and he said, with a
sort of shudder: II told Eli to sell
the roadster-and give up the num-
Der plates. I want to get rid of
everything"
81 understand, Phil. But-will you
want to 60 back to college in the
fall?"
He shook his head. "No. I never
want to see the fellows used to
know"
"You must do something, son!"
''Why must I? We've plenty of
money"
Plenty" she agreed. "But-just
spending money is not enough to
make life out of. Playing, killing
time, making business out of
sport, no man can be content with
that. I won't have you do that,
Phil"
81 can't 60 back to college. Oh,
I could, but it would mean leaving
you alone here" He realized with
a faint surprise that the thought of
leaving their home was not to be
considered. Their roots were here,
roots deeply grown. His mother
would stay here. II want to be with
you, mother"
''I'm afraid ! shall need you,"
she agreed; and he saw her shiver
uncontrollably, and she waited a
moment before going on. 'Of
course" she said, ''the first thing
is to appeal; to use every possible
means to save him. That may take
a long time. I don't know much
about such things. Mr.. Falkran can
tell us. But after that is over, /
shall need you. I'll try not to be
selfish. I hope as long as there
dAC tiAAI1SS ! 4AlQSt III, call Keep
going. But when the time comes
that there is no more for me to
do" She smiled pitifully. you'll
have to pick up the pieces of me
and put me back together again"
"I'll be here, mother. But I'll
always need you more than you
need me-"
iBut you must have work, Phil.
So I think we should buy out Mr..
Loran, let you take over down
there"
II don't know anything about the
business"
Good! You will have to work SO
much the harder. That is what you
need" And she said: 'sThink about
it, Phil. You have time. It need
not be decided yet while"
They did not speak again of. his
father until they left the table. Then,
she asked in a low tone: "Phil, what
did the Judge" She hesitated, said
at last, "Phil, when?"
He told her, hoarsely. "The week
of J.s1xy .,