The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1943-05-20

strange IHlnese WHO Uccu HdHSiuS
around the kitchen. He invented
a telephone call that he'd taken
that evening at eight o'clock. He
made up a conversation with the
judge that he'd had in which the
judge said that AN old enemy
whose prison term was just up had
written him threatening letters.
Mullins says they asked him
finally-sort of carelessly. he said
if he knew the judge and Mrs.
Marshbanks occupied separate bed
rooms. That was, Rousseau an
swered, he believed to be not an un-
usual arrangement among Ameri-
cans. But it was one to which the
young woman might object, they
suggested. And that made him flush
up, poor kid, and he said he knew
that the judge had agreed to that,
indeed he had suggested it. Well,
Mullins didn't show any surprise
at the chauffeur knowing an init
mate detail like that, but he went
oh Oii q SidC lliiS-ItOuSoCdA o0A-
airy, days off, friends here-all that
sort of thing. Had he a sweetheart?
Yes, back in France. When were
they to be married? As soon as she
could come to America. Her name?
Marie La Crosse.
Mullins let him think everything
was satisfactory, but he went and
f~-
cation papers. He hadn't any. He
came over as a cabin boy and
jumped ship in New York. He's
been in this country five years,
which would make him little short
of fourteen when he got here. His
story struck Mullins as queer all
through. It seemed odd that boy
that age should be engaged when he
left home, but Mullins says he
doesn't know anything about French
marriages, SO he cabled our consul
at Lyons. and they got hold of the
prefect of police and asked for the
address of Marie La Crosse. There
was some delay, and then the an
swer came back that Charles Rous-
seau's aunt, Marie La Crosse, was
still living with his parents just out
side of Lyons. After that every
thing pointed one way!"
"And Fran loves him!" Cherry
unused. But the thing I can't for
give her, Kelly she added with
spirit, lis that she would have got
you into it!"
"She was only sparring for time,
then. She gave those letters to the
police herself. But, as you know,
there wasn't anything in them," the
man said. "That was just a blind"
Kelly, will they hang him?" the
girl asked fearfully.
Mullins says probably not. He's
only a kid to begin with, and it
wasn't premeditated. No; they'll
give him pretty stiff sentence and
she'll spend all the time he's in Jail
working for him, comforting him.
It's the end of Fran, of course, as
far as her present life and friends
and ways of living CO."
'And it's over!" Cherry said, in
wondering voice.
"Yep. No more Marshbanks mys-
terry. He's signed full confession
and turned over to them some of
her letters"
''Oh, Kelly" Cherry breathed on
long note of relief, "can you be-
lieve that the men viii get out of
the house, and that we'l have moth
ing else to do but be married! Oh,
and it's going to be spring, and I'm
going to ;"
"You still have to talk me over
to this plot, Warehouses" Kelly
said, as she paused.
"Well, / think if you'll send me
up some tea, May. I'll 60 to my
room," said old Dora. Marshbanks,
rising somewhat stiff1y.
"Ah, stay here, Gran," Cherry
said, land we'll all have tea to-
gether. Maybe Arny'll come in too,
| and we'll talk plans"
II know someone else who wants
to talk plans," the old woman said,
with glance at Kelly.
"But there's no hurry" Cherry
said, laughing. She had been sit
ting up in bed. Now like a joyous
child she collapsed, slender, silk
clad body, loose mop Of gold-and-
tan-streaked hair, fragrant, warm
young cheek against him.
Laughing, she put up her face
for his kiss. AFTER Monday week
Kelly and I'll have all the time there
is together!" she said. Wont we
Kelly?"
"Just as you say, Marchioness," !"
Kelly answered meekly.
1.-THE ENDl !, a.