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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (April 21, 1914)
THE NORTH PLATTE 8EMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE. t , The Hollow of Her Hand hPr CHAPTER I. March Comes In Like the Lion. Tho train, which had roared through a wlthoring galo of sleet all tho way up from New York, catno to a stand etlll, with many an ear-splitting sigh, alongside tho llttlo station, and a ro luctant porter opened his vestibule door to descend to tho snow-swept plat form1 a solitary pnssongor had reached tho Journoy's end. Tho swirl of snow and sleet screaming out of tho blackness at tho end of the station building enveloped tho porter In an instant, and cut his cars and neck with utilising forco as ho turned his hack against the gale. A pair of louoly, half-obscured platform lights gleamed fatuously at tho top of their ley posts at each end of tho station; two or throo frost-lncruoted windows glowed dully In tho aide of tho building, while one shone brightly where tho operator nat waiting for tho passing of No. 33. An order had bcon Issued for tho topping of tho fast express at B , a notoworthy concession In theao days of premeditated haste. Not In the pre vious career of flying 33 had It oven so much as slowed down for tho Insig nificant llttlo station, through which it swoopod at midnight tho wholo year round. Just beforo pulling out of Now York on this eventful night tho con ductor receivod a command to stop 83 at B and lot down a slnglo pas- senior, a clrcumstanco which meant troublo for evbry dispatcher along tho lino. Tllo woman who got down at B in tho wake of tho shivering but defer ential porter, and who passed by tho conductors without lifting her face, was without hand luggago of nny de scription. Sho was heavily veiled, and warmly clad In furs. At olovon o'clock that night she had entered the com partment In Now York. Throughout tho thirty mlleB or inoro sho had sat alone and Inert besldo tho snow clogged window, peering through vol! and frost Into the night that whizzed past tho pane, seeing nothing yet ap parently Intent on all that stretched boyond. As still, as lmmobllo as death Itself sho had held horself from tho moment of doparturo to tho Instant that brought tho porter with tho word that they woro whistling for B . Without a word sho arose and fol lowed him to the vestibule, whoro sho watched him as ho unfastened tho outor door and Uftea tho trap. A slnglo word escaped her II pa and ho held out his hand to rocelvo tho crum pled bill oho clutched in her gloved fingers, lie did not look at It. He knew that It would amply reward him (or tho brltf exposure ho endured on tho lonely, wlnd-swopi platform of n etatlon, tho namo of which he did not know. Sho took oevoral uncertain stops In tho direction of tho station windows and stopped, as if bowlldored. Already tho engine was pounding tho air with quick, vicious snorts in tho effort to got under way; tho vootlbulo trup and door cloBod with a bnng; tho wheels were creaking. A bitter wind Binoto her In tho face; tho wot, hurtling sleet crashed against tho thin veil, blinding nor. Tho door of tho waiting room across tho platform oponed and a man rushed toward hor. "Mrs. Wrandall?" ho called abovo the roar of tho wind. She advanced quickly. "Yob." "What a night!" ho said, as much to hlmsolf as to her. "I'm eorry you would insist on coming tonight. To morrow morning would have satisfied the " "la thlB Mr. Drako?" They were being blown through tho door Into tho waiting room us oho put tho question. Hor voice was mufllod. Tho man In tho groat fur coat put his weight ngalnst the door to closo it. 1 "Yob, Mrs. Wrandall. I havo dono all that could bo dono under the cir cumstances. I nm sorry to toll you that wo still havo two mllco to go by motor beforo wo roach tho Inn, My ar Is opon I don't possoss a Umou elne but If you will Ho down In tho tonnoau you will And soma protection from-" 8ho broko In sharply, Impatiently. "Pray do not consider me, Mr. Drako. I am uot afraid of the blizzard." "Then wo'd better bo off," Bald he. n note of anxiety In his volco a cor. tain touch of nervousness. "I drive my own car. Tho road la good, but 1 (Shall drive cautiously. Ton minutes, perhaps. I I am Horry you thought best to bravo this wrotchod " "I am not porry for mysolf, Mr. Drako, but for you. You have boon nioBt kind. I did not expect you to roeot mo." "I took tho liberty of telephoning to you. It was well that 1 did It oarly in tho ovenlng. Tho wlros uro down now, I fear." Ho hesitated for a mo ment, Glaring at hor as If trying to penetrate tho thick, wot veil, "I may havo brought you on a fool's orrand. You boo, I I havo seon Mr. Wrandall but onco, In town somewhere, and I may bo wrong. Still, tho coroner and the sheriff neomed to think you hould bo notified I might say ques tioned. That la why I cullod you up. I trust, madam, that I am mlstakon." "Yes," Bho Bald shrilly, betraying the lutenslty of her emotion. It waa an COPY?CH7:P2 It sho lacked tho power to utter moro than a slnglo word, which signified nelthor acqulcsconco nor approval. Ho was 111 at ease, distressed. "I have engaged a room for you at tho Inn, Mrs. Wrandall. You did not bring a maid, I seo. My wife will como over from our place to stay with you If you" Sho shook her head. "Thank you, Mr. Drake. It will not be necessary. I enmo alono by choice. 1 shall ro turn to Now York tonight." "But you why, you can't do that," ho cried, holding back as they started toward tho door. "No trains stop hero after ten o'clock. Tho locals begin running at sovon In the morning. Be sides " Sho interrupted him. "May we not stnrt now, Mr. Drako? I nm well, you must sco that I am suffering. I mtiBt see, I must know. Tho sus pense " Sho did not complete the sentence, but hurried past him to the door, throwing it open nnd bending her body to tho gust thnt burst in upon them. Ho sprang nftor her, grasping her arm to lead her across the ley plat form to tho automobile that stood In tho Ico of tho building. Disdaining his command to enter the tonncau, Bho stood besldo tho car and waited until he cranked it and took his place at tho wheel. Then she took her Beat beside him and permit ted him to tuck the great buffalo robo about her. No word was epokeu. Tho man was a stranger to her. Sho for got his presence In the car. Into tho thick of tho storm tho mo tor chugged. Grim and silent, tho man at tho wheel, ungoggled nnd tenso, sent tho whirring thing swiftly over tho trackless vlllago street and out upon tho open country road. Tho woman closed her eyes and waited. You would know tho month was Mnrch. Ho said: "It comes In like a Hon," but apparently tho storm swnl lowed tho words for she mado no re sponse to them. Thoy crossed the valley and crept up tho tree-covered hill, whero tho force of tho galo was broken. If Bho honrd him say: "Florco, wasn't It?" sho gavo no sign, but sat hunched for ward, peering ahead through tho snow at tno blurred Ugnts that scorned so far away nnd yet woro close at hand. "Is that tho Inn?" sho asked as ho oworred from tho road a few moments lator. "Yes, Mra. Wrandall. Wo'ro hero." "la la ho In there?" "Whoro you seo that lighted window upstairs." Ho tootod tho horn vig orously as ho drew up to tho long, low porch. Two men dashed out from tho doorway and ckiinslly assisted hor from tho cnr. "Go tight in. Mrs. Wrandall," said Drako. "I will Join you in a Jiffy." Sho walked between tho two men Into tho feebly lighted ofllco of tho Inn. Tho keeper of tho plnco, a dreary looking porBon with dread In his eyes, hurried forward. Sho Btoppod, stock etlll. Some ono wbb brushing the stubborn, thickly caked Bnow from her long chinchilla coat. "You must lot mo got you some thing hot to drink, madam," tho land lord was Baying dolorously. Sho struggled with her veil, finally tearing It nway from her face. Then sho took In tho rather bare, chcerlosa room with a slow, puzzlod sweep of hor oyeB. "No, thank you," alio roplled. "It won't bo any trouble, madam," urged the othor. "It's right here, Tho shorlff says It's all right to sorvo It, A Man Rushed Toward Her. although It is after hours. I run a respectable, law-abiding houso. 1 wouldn't think of offering it to any ono if it was in violation" "Never mind, Burton," Interposed a big mnn, approaching. "Lot tho lady cIioobo for horBolf. If Bho wants It, sho'll sny so. I am tho sheriff, madam. This gentleman Is tho coroner, Dr. Shcof. Wo waited up for you after Mr. Drakq said you'd got tho fast train to stop for you, Tomorrow morning would havo dono qulto ns well. I'm worry you camo tonight In all this blizzard." Ho was staring aa it fascinated nt tho white, colorloBB faco of tho woman who with nervous flngors unfastened tho heavy coat that envoloned hor IliiHL Wk C'v',Uj 'A XM Georcfe Barr MCutcheon ? in,-, n s?r-irj?Fnnn MesiirrjryiA f-si&vjpfsr Kii xiv nnnn Atran c. mtJOAhtyS DY GtOnGTOAW AtSCtTVMTOy : CCVrrflZ ?2 GYP0D,AfJ1DSrQQ1PAty slender figure. Sho waa young and strikingly beautiful, dcsplto tho In tense pallor that overspread her face. Her durk, questioning, dreading eyes looked up Into hlB with an expression he wnB never to forget. It combined dread, horror, doubt and n smoldering anger that seemed to overcast all othor emotions that lay revealed to him. "This Is a what 1b commonly called a 'road houso'?" sho asked dully, hor eyes narrowing suddenly as If In pnln. "It Is nn Inn during tho winter, Mrs. Wrandall, and a road houso In tho summer, If that makoB it plain to you. I will say, however, that Burton haB alwuys kept well within tho law. This is the first cr real bit of troublo he's had, and I won't say It'a his fault. Keep quiet, Burton. No ono' Is nccuBlng you of anything wrong. Don't whine about It." "But my placo Is ruined," groaned tho doleful one. "It's got a black eye now. Not that I blame you, madam, but you can see how " Ho quailed bofora tho stoady look In her eyes, and turnod away mum bling. "There Ib a fire In tho roceptlon room, madam," Bald tho coroner; "and tho proprietor's wlfo to look out for you If you should requlro anything. Will you go In there and compose yourself beforo going upstairs? Or, If you would prefer waiting until morning, I ehall not Insist on the or ordeal tonight." "I prefer going up there tonight," said sho steadily. The men looked at each othor, and tho sheriff spoke. "Mr. Drake 1b qulto confident the the man Is your hus bnnd. It'a an ugly affair, Mrs. Wran dnll. Wo had no moans of identifying him until Drake came in UiIb Evening, out of curloBlty you might say. For your sake, I hopo ho la mlntnken." "Would you mind telling mo some thing about it beforo I go upstairs? I am qulto calm. I am preparod for any thing. You need not hesitate." "As you wish, madam. You will go Into tho reception room, If you please. Burton, 1b Mrs. Wrandall'B room qulto rendy for her?" "I shall not ntny horo tonight," In terposed Mrs. Wrandall. "You need not keep tho room for me." "But, my dear Mrs. Wrandall" "I shall wait In tho railway Btatlon until morning If necessary. But not here." Tho coroner led tho way to the cosy llttlo room off tho office. Sho followed with tho shorlff. Tho men looked worn and haggard in the bright light that met them, as If they had not known Bleep or reBt for many hours. "The asslotant district attornoy was hero until cloven, but went homo to get a llttlo rest. It's been a hard case for all of ub a nnBty ono," explained tho shorlff, as ho placed a chair In front of the fire for her. She sank Into It limply. "Go on, pleaso," sho murmured, and shook her head at tho nervous llttlo woman who bustled up and lnqulrod If oho could do anything to mnko her moro comfortablo. Tho sheriff cleared his throat. "Well, It happened last night. All day long wo'vo boon trying to find out who ho Is, and ever since eight o'clock this morning wo'vo been searching for tho woman who came here with him. Sho has disappeared as completely as It awallowod by tho earth. Not a sign of a clow not a shred. Thero's noth ing to show when she left tho inn or by what means. All wo know la that tho door to that room up thoro was standing half opon when Burton passed by It at seven o'clock this morning that la to say, yesterday morning, for this Is now Wednesday. It 1b qulto clear, from this, that sho neglected to closo tho door tightly whon sho came out, probably through hasto or fear, and the draft In tho hall blew It wldor open during tho night. Burton sayo tho Inn was closed for tho night at half-past ten. Ho wont to bed. She must have slipped out after ovoryono was Bound aBleep. Thoro were no other guests on that floor. Burton nnd his wlfo sleep on this floor, and the servants aro at tho top of the hoiiBo and In a wing. No ono heard a sound. We havo not tho remotest Idea when the thing hap pened, or whon sho loft tho plnco. Dr. Shoef Bays tho man had been dead six or eight hours whon ho first aaw him, and that was very soon after Burton's dlscovory. Burton, on finding tho door open, naturally suspected that his gueste nnd skipped out during tho night to avoid paying tho bill, and lost no time In entering tho room. "Ho found tho mnn lying on tho bed, Bprnwled out, faco upward and ne dead as a mack I should say. aulto dead. Ho waa partly dressed. His coat nnd vest hung ovor tho back of a chair. A small service carving knlfo, belonging to tho Inn, had boon driven aqunroly Into his heart nnd was found sticking thoro. Burton says that tho man, on their arrival at tho Inn, about nlno o'clock at night, or- uoreu nuppor sem, up to tno room Tho tray of dlshos, with most of tho food untouched, and an ompty chain pngno bottle, was found on tho Borvlco table near tho hod. Ono of tho chairs was overturned. Tho sorvant who took tho meal to tho room says that tho woman was Bitting nt tho window with hor wraps on, motor veil and all, Just as she was whon ahe camo Into tho place. Tho man gave all the direc tions, tho woman apparently pnylng no attention to what was going on. Tho waitress loft tho room without seeing her faco. Sho had Instructions not to como for tho tray until morn ing. "Thnt was tho last tlmo the man was Been alive. No ono has Been the woman since tho door closed after the servant, who distinctly remembers hearing the key turn In the lock ns Bho went down tho hall. It seems pretty clear that tho man ate and drank but not the woman. Her food remained untouched on tho plate and her glass was full. 'Gad, It must havo been a merry feast! I beg your par don, Mra. Wrandall!" "Go on, please," Bald she levelly. "That's all there 1b to say bo far as the actual crime la concerned. There & V J 8? Wmm I -v. S -n - iSffiF'3tlJtZ She Sank Into It Limply. were slgnB of n struggle but It Isn't necessary to go Into that. Now, as to their arrival at tho inn. Tho blizzard had not set in. Last night was dark, of course, as thoro is no moon, but it was clear ahd rather warm for the tlmo of year. Tho couple came here about nlno o'clock In a high power run about machine, which tho man drove. They had no hand baggage and appar ently had run out from New York. Burton eayB ho was on tho point of refusing them accommodations when tho man handed him a hundred-dollar bill. It wob moro than Burton's cu pidity could withstand. They did not roglster. The state license numbers had been removed from the automo bllo, which was of foreign make. Of course it was only a question of time until we could have found out who tho car belonged to. It is perfectly obvious why he removed tho num bers." At this Juncture Drake entered the room. Mrs. AVrandall did not at first recognize him. "It has stopped snowing," announced the nowcomer. "Oh, It Is Mr. Drake," sho murmured. "We have a llttlo French car, painted rod," sho nnnounced to the aheriff without giving Drako another thought. "And thlB ono la red, madam," Bald the shorlff, with a glance at the coro ner. Drako nodded hla head. Mrs. Wrandall's body atlffened perceptibly, as If deflecting a blow. "It ia still standing In tho gnrngo, where he left it on his arrival. "Did no one see tho face of of tho woman?" asked Mrs. Wrandall, rather querulously. "It seems odd that no ono should havo aeon her face," she went on without waiting for nn nn- swer. "It's not Btrango, madam, when you consider nil tho circumstances. She waa very cureful not to removo her voll or her coat until the door was locked. That proves that she waa not tho sort of woman wo usunlly find gal lavantlng around with men regardless of ahem, I bog your pardon. This must bo very distressing to you." "I am not Biiro, Mr. Sheriff, that It Is my husband who Ilea up tliero. Please remomber that," sho said etoadlly. "It Ib easlor to hoar tho details now, be foro I know, than it will he aft'orward If It should turn out to be ns Mr. Drake declares." "I bcp," said the sheriff, marveling. "Besides, Mr. Drako is not positive" put in tho coroner hopefully. "I am reasonably certain," said Drake. "Then all tho more reason why I should havo the story first," said she, with n shiver that no ono failed to ob serve. The sheriff resumed his conclusions. "Women of tho kind I referred to n moment ago don't care whothor thoy'ro soon or noL In fact, thoy'ro rather brazen about It. But this ono waa different. Sho was as far from thnt as It waa poBalblo for her to bo. Wo havon't boon able to find nnyono who saw hor faco or who can glvo tho least Idea aa to what Bho looks llko, except ing a gonoral description of her figure, her carrlago and tho outdoor garments sho woro. We havo reason to believe sho was young. Sho waa modestly droasod. Hor coat wn3 one of those heavy nlter affairs, such as a woman uses In motoring or on n oca voyage. There was a small aablo etolo about her neck. Tho skirt was short, and she wore high blnck shoes of the thick walking type. Judging from Burton's description she must havo been about your eizo and figure, Mrs. Wrandall. isn't that bo, Mrs. Bur ton?" Tho innkeoper'B wlfo spoke. "Yen, Mr. Hnrben, I'd say so mysolf. About Hvo feet six, I'd Judge; rathor slim and graceful like, In spite of the big coat" Mrs. Wrandall was watching the woman's faco. "I am five feet six," she said, as If answering a question. The sheriff cleared his throat some what needlessly. "Burton says Bho acted aa If she were a lady," he went on. "Not the kind that usually comes out here on such expeditions, ho admits. She did not speak to anyone, except onco in very low tones to the man ahe was with, and then she was standing by the fireplace out in tho main ofllco, qulto a distance from the desk. She went upstairs alone, and he gave some orders to Burton beforo following her. That was tho ast tlmo Burton saw her. Tho waitress went up with a spe cially prepared supper about halt an hour later." "It BeeniB quite clear, Mra. Wran dall, thnt sho robbed tho man after stabbing him," said the coroner. Mrs. Wrandall started. "Then she was not a lady, after all," sho said quickly. There waa a note of relief in her voice. It waa as If she had put asldo a half-formed conclusion. "His pockets were empty. Not a penny had been left. Watch, cuff links, scarf pin, cigarette case, purse and bill folder nil gone. Burton had seen most of these articles In the ofilce." "Isn't It but no! Why should I bo the ono to offer a suggestion that might bo construed ns a defense for this woman?" "You woro about to suggest, madam, that some one elso might have taken tho valuables Is that It?" cried the aheriff. "Had you thought of It, Mr. Sheriff?" "I had not. It Isn't reasonable. No ono about this placo Is suspected. We have thought of this, however: tho murderess may havo taken all of these things nway with her In order to prevent immediate Identification of her victim. Sho may have been clover enough for that. It would glvo her a starL" "Not an unreasonable conclusion, when you Btop to consider, Mr. Sher iff, that tho man took the initiative in that very particular," said Mra. Wran dall In such a self-contained way that tho three men looked at her in won der. Then she came abruptly to her feet. "It Ib very late, gentlemen. I am ready to go upstairs, Mr. Sheriff." "I must warn you, madam, that Mr. Drako Is reasonably certain that it Is your husband," said tho coroner un comfortably. "You may not be pre pared for the shock that " "I shall not faint, Dr. Sheet. If It is my husband I shall ask you to leave me alono In the room with him for a little while." Tho final word trailed out Into a long, tremulous wall, show ing how near sho was to the breaking point In hor wonderful effort at solf control. The men looked away hast ily. Thoy heard her draw two or three deep, quavering breaths; they could almost feel tho tension that sho was exercising over herself. Tho doctor turned nftor a moment and spoke very gently, but with pro fessional firmness. "You must not think of venturing out in this wretched night, mndam. It would ho the worat kind of folly. Surely you will bo guided by me by your own common sense. Mrs. Burton will bo with you " "Thank you, Dr. Sheof," sho inter posed calmly. "If what wo all fear should turn out to be tho truth, I could not stay here. I could not breathe. I could not live. If, on tho othor hand, Mr. Drake Is mistaken, I shall stay. But If It la ray husband, I cannot remain under tho same roof with him, even though he bo dead. I do not expect you to understand my feelings. It would bo asking too much of mon too much." "I think I understand," murmured Drake. "Come," said the aheriff, arousing himself with an effort. Sho moved swiftly after him Drnko and the coroner, following closo be hind with Mrs. Burton, could not take their eyes from the slender, gracoful figure. Sho was a revelation to them. Feeling as thoy did that she was about to bo confronted by the most appalliug crlslB Imaginable, they could not but marvel at her composure. Drake's mind dwelt on the stories of tho gulllo tlno and tho heroines who went up to It In those bloody days without bo much as a quiver of dread. Somehow, to him, this woman was a horolno. They passed Into tho hall nnd mounted tho stairs. At tho far end of tho corridor n man was eeated In front of a closod door. Ho nro8o aa tho party appronchod. Tho sheriff signed for him to open tho door he guarded. Aa ho did so, a chilly blast of nlr blew upon tho faces of those In the hall. The curtains In the window of the room were flapping and whip ping In the wind. Mrs. Wrandall caught her breath. For the briefest Instant It seemed na tliotich she wan on the point of faltering. Sho dropped rarther behind tho sheriff, her limbs suddenly stiff, her hand going out to tho wall aa If for support. Tho next moment sho was moving forward res olutely Into the ley, dimly lighted room. A slnglo electric light glenmed In tho corner besldo tho bureau. Near tho window stood the bed. She went swiftly toward It, her eyea fastened upon tho ridgo that ran through tho center of it: a still, white ridge that seemed without beginning or end. With nervous fingers the attendant lifted tho Bheet at tho head of tho bod and turned It back. As ho let It fall across the che3t of tho dead man ho drew back and turned his faco away. Sho bent forward and then straight ened her figure to Ita full height, with out for an Instant removing her gazo from tho faco of tho man who lay beforo her: a dark-haired man gray In death, who muat have been beautiful to look upon In tho flush of life. For a long tlmo aho stood there looking, as motionless as tho object on which sho gazed. Behind her were tho tense, keen-eyed mon, not ono of whom seemed to breatho during tho grim minutes that passed. The wind howled about tho corners of tho Inn, but no ono heard It. They heard tho beating of their hearts, oven tho tick ing of their watches, but not the wall of the wind. At last her hands, claw-like In their tenseness, went slowly to her temples. Hor head dropped slightly forward, and a great shudder ran through her body. The coroner started forward, expecting her to collapse. "Please go away," sho was saying In an absolutely emotionless voice. "Let me stay hero alone for a llttlo whilo." That was all. The men relaxed. They looked at each other with a single question In their eyes. Was it qulto safe to leave her alono with her dead? They hesitated. She turned on them suddenly, spreading her arms in a wide gesture of self-nbsolution. Her somber eyes swept tho group. "I can do no harm. This man la mine. I want to look at htm for tho last time alone. Will you go?" "Do you mean, madam, that you In tend to " began tho coroner In alarm. She clasped her hands. "I mean that I shall take my last look at him now and here. Then you may do what you llko with him. Ho Is your dead not mine. I do not want him. Can you understand? I do not want this dead thing. But there Is some thing I should say to him, something that I muBt say. Something that no one must hear but the good God who knows how much he haB hurt mo. I want to say It close to tho3e gray, hor rid ears. Who knows? He may hear mo!" Wondering, tho others backed from tho room. Sho watched them until they closed tho door. Listening, they heard her lower tho window. It squealed llko a thing In fear. Ten minuteB passed. Tho group In tho hall conversed In whispers. "Poor thing," Bald tho lnnkeopor's wife. "Well," said Drako, taking a deep breath, "sho won't havo to worry any more about hl8 not coming homo A Great Shudder Ran Through Her Body. nights. I sny, this business will create a fearful sonsatlon, sheriff. Tho Four Hundred will havo a conniption fit" "Wo'vo got to land that girl, who over sho is," grated the official. "Now that we know who ho Ib, It shouldn't bo hard to pick out tho women he's been trailing with lately. Thon we can Blft 'em down until tho right ono Is left. It ought to bo easy." (TO BE CONTINUED.) Tro That Lightning Avoids. Nntlvc of South Africa have aald regarding tho mopano tree, which lr often struck, "lightning hates It;" bm they say that tho morula tree ! aove, touched. immm rv- 4.-1 :