The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-09-22

The young man had returned UNI
seen, and he said in the tone of one
conveying an order that must be
obeyed:
''My mother wants a word with
you gentlemen. Please follow me-"
Without the slightest hesitation.
Tope moved briskly after Rab.
Heale almost reluctantly followed
him, but Asa stayed behind.
When Tope and Inspector Heale
followed Rab into the house where
lamps were burning to replace the
now useless electric lights, there
was stir and movement behind the
closed doors of the dining-room in
which Denman Hurder still lay UNI
conscious and near death; and the
parlor doors likewise were closed.
But Mrs. Bowdon and Mrs. Tame
waited for them in the sitting-room;
and Mrs. Bowdon was in a chair
that faced the door by which they
entered. Tope had an impression
of mass, Of white mass that would
not easily be moved. Her hair was
white; so was her cheek; so was the
shapeless dressing gown she wore.
She sat in ponderous immobility
which had nevertheless sugges-
ton of power held in restraint; and
her eyes were alive and hard and
cold.
Mrs. Taine, on the other hand,
met them at the door. This was a
spare, thin woman; her thin hair
was black; her cheek was sallow;
her lips were thin. She spoke in a
soft sibilance, in keen syllables that
suggested the slicing stroke of ra-
zor-blades.
81 sent for you gentlemen" she
told them simply. "My son tells
me you are circulating the sugges-
ton that Mrs. Leaford's death, and
the tragedy tonight, were not acci-
dent but design. will not permit
such nonsense. If such rumors be-
come current, I shall know whom
to blame, and I will hold yoa both
responsible. Let the talk end here
and now. I bid you good day."
Inspector Tope waited for Inspec-
tor Heale to speak. Rab ex-
claimed, in restrained anger:
"You heard her, gentlemen. That
is ALL"
And when Heale still was silent,
Mrs. Bowdon said, without moving
her lips: Outrageous. Impudent
aud, citxy C1ovync -
Zone thing more," Mrs. Tame re-
membered. 'Mr. Clinton Jervies
took June Leaford away with him,
against my express wish. She must
be back here in the morning. We
take care of our own, we Kene-
saws; we ask no favors anywhere.
See to it that this is done, or I
shall know what steps to take"
Heale remained mute; but Tope
suggested gently: "How old is
Miss Leaford, ma amp"
Mrs. Tame looked at him. Most
people were somewhat melted by
TOPICS mild kindness, but she was
not. ''She is of age, yes" she said
calmly. "But that is immaterial.
She is an inexperienced child, quite
incompetent to decide things for
herself. Kitty Leaford was no fit
mother for her, but have done my
duty.by June, and will continue to-"
But Inspector Heale found his
tongue at last, forgetting his awe
of these two women in remem-
brance of his duty and his rights.
"Now, wait minute" he insisted.
"You folks on the Hill have gone
your own gait in a lot of things;
but this looks like murder to me,
and it's my duty to check up on it..
Some questions / want to ask you.
know you're feeling pretty bad
right now, SO if you want to wait
till morning"
| Mrs. Bowdon said heavily: "There
is nothing can tell you.' My hus-
band lies dead in the house. wish
to be alone"
ITO BE CONTINUED)