The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-03-16
Elq!h,t R:!2ope
BY callioon Y.BMrkD

me once or tWlce. but coulQn't
believe it, didn't want to believe
it. / preferred to think Miss Della
hays death was an accident"
But last night" Cleve insisted,
whatever it was that Carol heard
last night. Certainly that wouldn't
fit in with your theory of an ac-
cident."
Frankly, ! believed the whole
business nothing but the imagina-
ton of two hysterical girls. had to
go after Dorinda and bring her
back for her own protection. Poole's
Suspicions-and remember, last
night I believed them 10 be wholly
unfounded-would have mounted to
fever pitch if my niece had mys-
teriously disappeared. brought
her here, only to hunor her, not
because believed she would be
in any danger at home"
Dorinda broke in suddenly. But
Fay couldn't have been there the
day Anne was killed. Don't you
remember, you'd gone to Monter-
ey. She was with you that after
noon. You told the sheriff you were
together all the time"
81 know did. But it wasn't strict
ly true. Fay left me almost as
soon as we arrived in Monterey.
She wanted to do some shopping,
she said, and told me to meet her
at five. l remember she was late
for the appointment-it was nearer
six than five when she came. She
wouldn't have had any time to
spare but she could have made it
to Thorndyke House and back. /
didn't think it necessary to tell
Poole we'd separated. I hadn't a
shadow Of suspicion Of her then
and thought a mutual alibi would
avoid awkwardness."
Ibid she take the carr" The
thought of the danger she had es-
capped was forgotten in Dorinda's
curiosity.
Eyes, she said she had to 60 to
a number of different places and
wanted somewhere to put her par
GELS. wandered about town, saw
newsreel, browsed around some
book shops. didn't give it thought
then but there were no packages
in the car when we met again. 1
believe she did say somthing about
not finding what she wanted.
"a pity-that such beauty should
die. But Fay was strange woman.
Even after all these years, l never
felt entirely understood her."
He hesitated. II hate to 60 back.
But l suppose 1 must. Poole will
want to know the things I've Just
told YOU" He pulled his lips into
a grotesque attempt at smile and
went down the porch steps.
Cleve watched the black sedan
as it drove away. AFTER the first
shock, the gentleman regained
what he would probably call his
equanimity rather quickly, don't
you think? I don't believe his was
a deathless passion"
He said he no longer loved her
as much. Maybe he no longer
loved her at ALL" Dorinda agreed
soberly. Il can see how a man
could be fascinated for awhile. She
was lovely, Cleve. But she wasn't
very agreeable. Grandmother said
she Was-cold"
Il can't imagine her driven to
desperation though. She just didn't
seem the type" Cleve said doubt
fully.
81 don't think anyone really
knew her. l do think she loved Ed
ward. But she didn't like me.
Sometimes I thought she hated me.
Maybe that made it easier"
You're not to think about that
part of it any more, honey. That
reminds me, Poole said to tell you
the inquest had been postponed. 1t
was set for this morning, you re-
member"
1T seems to me you and the sher-
Tiff are getting quite chummy. You
almost quarreled that first day, but
now"
"Oh, we've formed a sort Of
a mutual alliance" Cleve inter-
rupted. IT help him; he helps me
by looking after my girl. Though
he was off in his calculations last
night. AS soon as he got over being
suspicious Of you and me, Poole
was all right" He laughed shortly.
Don't think Poole is telling every
thing he knows or suspects though.
I'm anxious to see him again. May
be now that the case is washed up
he'll divulge all. There are lots Of
things which need explaining but
he'll work it out. Poole's darn
smart guy if you ask me-"
Story of yellow Wig