The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 116: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

818 She wanted to see Ted and talk him into a more sane state of mind. The state of heart to which his telegram gave testimony seemed to her like a confession of a momentary emotional aberration which would be dispelled by reminding him that Bess Hether- ington was the loveliest girl in New York. Stratton was literally forced into the trip. Gradually his wrath at the condition of things was growing. He wanted to see Ted. He wanted to make him defend himself against the charge which none of them dared to speak. He wanted to be sure that he really did not love Bess, and he beheved if Ted actually was the criminal that he appeared to be enough of the old fine- ness of nature and the generosity of heart which had characterized him as a boy would survive to make him want to clear up the unhappiness he had caused. Without a warning of his coming he entered the Stone House. Alice Thorpe started as if she had seen a ghost, then ran to him as she received a rescuer. Events were too discon- certing for her. Natalie was too com- plex for her understanding. Big Dr. Stratton looked like home and com- mon sense, which quality she consid- ered had deserted her small friend. Stratton had realized that he and Mrs. Barrington were literally run- ning away with the private car. She had taken advantage of her husband’s absence on business to make the trip. She amused herself on the way West, sending telegrams which were to as- sure him that she would straighten Ted out in a hurry and that she loved him. But the big doctor had been in the living-room scarcely five minutes when he knew something that might utterly spoil the plans that Mrs. Barrington had made. Without*a word of greeting Natalie le Fevre had seized his arm and de- manded to know whether he had actu- THE ARGOSY. ally seen Nick Bullen dead. His re- ply that he positively had seemed to rob her suddenly of a fire and vivid beauty which had astounded him at first glance. But the change in her after he had spoken astounded him more — for a moment. ‘Then he understood. “Where is Radford?” he _ had asked. The girl’s hands had gone to her breast. Her eyes had closed. A look of white suffering came around her mouth. “We do not know. heemt”’ she answered. Stratton knew what she felt. A little later he had the facts of Rad- ford’s sudden disappearance. He learned that they believed he had been captured for the sake of the deed. And Natalie, with the fear in her eyes that haunted her constantly, told him that she was afraid Tom Sykes might seize any chance that came to him to get rid of Radford. It was Natalie le Fevre whom Rad- ford loved. Stratton saw that. But in his own confused mind he won- dered if some intimation had not reached Ted of the suspicion that cen- tered on him and had caused him just to drop out of sight of those who knew his whereabouts. “ Did you tell Radford that his con- nection with Bullen’s death was known?” he asked quickly. Alice nodded; but Natalie drew her- self up to full height and came close to Stratton, gazing straight in his eyes with her own flaming eyes. “Tef that Neeck Bullen ees dead, eet ees another who has keelled heem! Eet ees not Frederick Radford!” she exclaimed. “ Did he tell you he had nothing to do with it?” Stratton asked. “ He’s been making love to her, Dr. Stratton. He’s made her believe—” “ Be still, you!’ Natalie command- ed. “I weell leestin to no other word against heem. He weell prove he ees not guilty. He weell—if he ees alive.” They — have GEomichbooks SS ew ae a (E@)