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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (June 24, 1934)
PAGE EIGHT MEDFORD MAIL TMBUNTE, MEDFORD, OREGON. SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 1934 GVLwuLia. cud MOCKING HOUSE BY WALTER C. BROWN gy.VO'.i. ..: Harper't inveattgation vt ...j two murdere in Pierre Dureane'e houae, haa involved lire. Vufreane, her hue band, a maid and a chauffeur in a aerioua tangle, for it haa devel oped that myeterioue notea con earning eoually myaterioua render' wua have been found by the maid, and that both Dufreenee have void her to keen silent. Harper Juat haa tailed to pereuade lire. Dufreene to talk, and haa left her under atrict aurveillance in her room. Chapter 45 CROYDEN'S PLEA THE bouse seemed as deserted as before, but as Harper came down tbe stairs be realized tbat tbe dinner must be over, for be heard music from tbe drawing-room, In dicating Richard Croyden at tbe piano. Harper was passing tbe doorway when the playing stopped, and Croy don, looking over his shoulder, balled tbe detective. "Come In," be called, "If you can spare a minute, 1're been watching for you." Harper was somewhat surprised by this Invitation. He eyed the pianist sharply as he crossed tbe floor. "Have a cigarette?" Tbe de tective declined tbe offer, while Croyden turned back to the piano, his fingers moving softly over the keys. "There are some passages In this I need to brush up," he ex- plained. "Recognize It? Chopin. Polonaise In B Flat Minor." The detective sat down In tbe chair by tbe piano bencb. Croyden's whole manner was feverish and ex cited and though bis fingers con tinued through rippling passages his mental abstraction showed that he was casting about for an opening for whatever be had on bis mind. Then, preceded by a nervous ex halation oi cigarette smoke, be struck out boldly. "Harper, can't yon call off the dogs? Must this thing go on, boring deeper and deeper Into the private lite of this house? Ton can't ease the dead by in autopsy on tbe living." "Jl detective on a murder case haa no friends, Mr. Croyden. We cannot call this case closed until we have found tbe killer who Is biding among you. The Angers slipped Into a Jangling discord and stopped. The pianist turned to face the detective. - "I think you exaggerate when you call It a 'case,' " he challenged. "I really don't see It, Harper. You've built op a scarecrow of shreds and patches. When yon tear It apart you won't find your murderer, but you will expose all the poor bare bones of our family skeleton to the pub lic gaze. The publlo Is always roaring for tbat sort of stuff, but I felt that you were above that kind of show, Harper." He drew a long breath. "Don't think I'm talking wildly, or trying to hide some deep, dark secret. Dig below the surface anywhere In so called Society and you'll And deceit, treachery, disillusionment . And, God knows, It you're going to take those things for clues' to motive, you'll finish by putting all of us In the dock. Does this make sense to you or do you think I'm being merely rhetorical?" Through a haze of smoke the de tective looked straight Into the glittering, excited eyes. There was no mistaking the genuine fervor of that plea. "I think I understand, Mr. Croyden," Harper responded gravely. "Yesterday, perhaps I sbonld not have, but today a great many things have become clear to CROYDEN turned again to tbe keyboard, softly fingering the treble keys with muted sound. "Are you a married man, Harper?" be asked, suddenly, without turning his bead. No." "Then take my advice and think well firstl" he counselled. "It can do things .0 you, bring about condi tions that no lover can survive. One's birthright of spirit can be sold ont for a compromise," he added darkly. "Today, we seem to cling only to the Thirteenth Commandment 'thou shalt not be found out.' Many things can be borne In silence. Indig nities to tbe spirit as well as acts of the flesh, so long as these are kept discreetly hidden from our neigh bors' eyes. But flaunt them across tbe horizon and then comes the end. Tbat Is why I ask you to take no fur ther steps In that direction." He stopped to snub out the cig arette end. "1 suppose you'v hesrd about Mr. Dufresne and Joyce Roo mer, to give tbe lady her more fa miliar name? And, possibly other de tails of the sort?" Harper shrugged. "Servants will talk, tabloids thrive on scandal," be remarked, "and there's precious lit tle escapes them. As I understand It. there have been dissensions and sus picions on both sides of the fence. I'm not at all Interested in private scandal unless It touches on the case itself." "Ah, that's what you think. Har per, but you make tbe other poor beggars conscious of their tatters. That public loss of dignity can never be repaired. Affairs In thla social world move In a complicated rhythm on their own The unfortu nate death of two strangers In this house threatens to visit injustices on those who had nothing to do with the case." "It's not so easy to say Just who those may be," was Harper's dry comment. "Don't let gossip run away with your good Judgment," Croyden re plied quickly. "It you take tbat line, you'll find us all In your net, accus ing and accused. No doubt you've heard that Dufresne and I were rivals once and not very friendly ones, either. You could make soma Interesting deductlona from that." Harper was silent, puzzled by some repressed force underlying tbe words. Croyden paused to light a fresh cigarette. "That's the root of plenty ot trouble, Harper, when women can take over the dominat ing role. Take my wife, for example. I love her dearly, but she has al ways bad mora mone than 1 can ever hope to earn. Besides, what chance has the masculine ego with a girl who can outdistance you at any sport you name swimming, golf, riding, bridge? There la only one field left In which I can exercise my masculine conceit and that la this" resting his fingers on the keyboard. The detective was at a loss to ac count for this deliberate exposure of Richard Croyden's. "TTARPER," Croyden remarked J-1 after a short silence, "would It ease your mind It yon knew that Officer HamlU's family would be provided for? Don't misunderstand me," he added quickly, seeing the le tectlve's look, "this la not In any sense a bribe. The fact Is the man was killed In this house, presumably In defense ot the property and It I offer aid to the family, my motives will be less open to misinterpreta tion." "Mr. Dufresne has already made such an offer," the detective replied. "I understand your motive, Mr. Croyden. I'm sorry I can't separate tbe wheat from the chaff. I'll make no secret ot tbe fact that certain recent developments have touched Mrs. Dufresne. By refusing to de fend herself against very damaging evidence, sbe has forced me to place her under virtual arrest. 'And now I have some equally serious matters to put before an other membnr jt tbls household. It the same attitude Is adopted, the consequences will be unfortunate." Richard Croyden leaped from the bencb. "Sylvia?" ue cried, aghast. Good Qodl No! Harper, nol You've got It all wrong. Let me talk to berl" "Sorry, but I'll have to ask you to deter that until later. The nurse has orders to admit no one." Croyden sat down again, shaken. Tbe hand tbat held bis cigarette trembled. His face waa tbe prey of conflicting emotions that choked his tongue and In the stunned silence Harper left the room. The detective returned the slip pers to the breakfastroom and rang tor Andrews. When tbe butler came be Inquired as to the whereabouts of tbe master of the house. "Mr. Dufresne Is having his coffee In tbe library, upstairs, sir." "Thank you. Andrews." Once more the detective locked tbe room and went up tbe stairs. Dufresne's voice bade him enter and It be was surprised to see Sergeant Harper he gave no sign of lu Ob, It's you, Harper. Make your self comfortable. You're too late for coffee, but 1 can offer you a spot of this." He reached down to the lower shelf of tbe serving table and brought up a square black decanter and two small glasses. The deteo- tlve saw a similar glass with the cof fee service. "What Is It brandy?" he In quired. Dufresne cocked a Jocular eye at him. "Never ask that question, Har per, It's damned bad manners." He splashed a white liqueur Into the glasses to the very brim. "Coin treau," be explained solemnly. Cointreau, my boy, Is like the flaw less blue-white diamond Nature can do no more." He 11 "id the glass. Your healthl" The pontifical tone, the gleaming eye, the dull flush, were not over looked by the detective. Dufresne had been drinking agatt Harper re membered his steady application to the brandy bottle the night before. (Copyright. 151, by Walter 0. Broum) Tomorrow,' Harper Jolts Pierre Dufromo out of his calm. Torture Tested . Car Coming to Med ford Monday Torture tested car which has msle history for the Oeneral Petroleum corporation on the coast end the So cony Vacuum compeny In the East will make Ite appearance In Medford Monday. The well-known car will be driven on the principal streets ot this city during the day and will be displayed by Independent Qeneral dealers here as well as et company-owned sta tions, according to an announcement made by Bob Frame, manager In Medford for the Oenerel Petroleum corporation. T. M. Hlgglns, southern Oregon district manager for the Qeneral Pe troleum corporation, will leave Meu tord today for Grants Peas, where be will meet the Torture car and escort H to this elt. Ko development In food cests dur ing the past few years haa brought such Immediate benefits to the con sumer aa the recently announced and sensational reduction In the price of mayonnaise. Here In the far west, where nature Is at her moat bountiful In supplying fruits and vegetables, the principal of eating salads dally haa long been generally accepted. Now, under the new price schedules made pceslble In the retail market by drastic reduc- tlona upon the part of manufacturers, Mrs. Housewife can serve the tastiest and moot nutritious of salads at a cost which In the past would have seemed quite lmpoeslble. This news come at a particularly advantageous time, too, because of the plentiful supply and the existing low prices of practically all fruits and vegetablea that go into salad making. We are now at the height of the season, or approaching the best seas on, for such salad vegetables aa let tuce, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, car rots, and celery, such fruits as ap ples, oranges, peaches, pears, cantal oupes and many of the most dellcr loua berries, including strawberries, raspberries, logan berries. In addition there are the usual choices of fine canned vegetablea and canned fish aultable for salad making. The consumer's cost of real may onnaise, under the recent major re ductions, amounts to approximately one-third less than formerly. Mr. L. A. Plercy, local distributor for The Best Foods, Inc., In com menting on these sensational price reductions, said: "Never In the history of the may onnaise Industry has the public been able to buy first quality mayonnaise at any price comparable to the very low price we have Just put Into ef fect. We believe that this low price will materially Increase the eating of healthful salads, and will prove a real benefit to the consuming public." Society and-Clubs Spend Week-End At Diamond Lajte Miss Mildred Beeson, Miss Delphlne HI nek and Miss Justin Miller ot Medford are spending the week-end at Diamond Lake. They were Joined there- by Ml&s Margery Smith and Miss Fay Buchanan and three other young ladles of Klamath Falls. Building; Bridge Club To Meet on Thursday The building Bridge club Is to meet Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, dessert bridge, at the home of Miss Anne Kellohor, 1019 South Oakdale avenue. Visit VPoodfords While In City Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bulman and daughter Marian of San Francisco, en route to Portland on a pleasure trip, apent several days laet week In Medford a the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Woodford. fi nancing Party At Colonial Club. Many reservations for dinner and dancing were made for last evening at the Colonial club. Including several . no-host affairs. - ' MUs McGrew Given Surprise Ptrty Honoring the ninth birthday of Miss Barbara Jean McGrew, a group of her friends entertained 3a turd ay afternoon with a surprise party at her home, M8 Beatty street. Those present were Jerry Morris, Jackie Morris, Kay Grantham, David Lee Wade, Melva Anderson, Joan Anderson, Shirley McCultoch, Byrna- dine McCulloch, La Verne McCullocb and Jean Grantham. Barrs To Spend Several Weeks Here Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Ban and sons Billy and Roger, of Oakland, are spending several weeks 1 Medford, visiting Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wood ford. Mr. Barr is assistant superin tendent of mails at Oakland. Regular Meeting or Eastern Star The regular meeting of the Eastern Star will be held Wednesday evening with a report of the worthy matron from grand chapter to be given. Visiting members are Invited. Lady Elks Meet at Temple This Week Lady Elks will meet at the Elks temple on Tuesday afternoon, for cards, pool and bowling. The meet ing this week la the last until fell, It was announced yesterday. Pythian Club ' Meeting Tuesday The Pythian club will meet at the home of Mrs, W. L. Walden Tuesday, June 26. All members are asked to bring a covered dish. SLEEPY Salem, June 23. (AP) Condi tional pardons were Issued by Gov ernor Julius L. Meier today to normal B. Newell and Jack Berry, serving terms of one year each in the Mult nomah county Jail for aasault. Both men were committed on November 15. 1933. By GLUYAS WILLIAMS 6ES GOOD SEATS WITH HUS BAND A5TEMDRE FH-MSTftlffe REALIZES PRESENlW TrIAT HE HAS DROPPED OFF TO SLEEP-HIM HUSBAND OPENS EVES, BLINKS AND DENIES 1WAT HE WEHf TO SLEEP AT ML,- HE WfiS JOSf RESTIK6 HIS EtfcS A S&TONP BECOMES AWARE Tuftf HE'S NffDDlKG A6HIK, BUT PKlDES lb LET HIM SLEEP WHICH BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE WHEN HE 5UDDEMY SA6S AVER ON HER WAKES HIM AND TELLS HIM WHAT HAS HAPPENED Irl PIC TURE SO HE CAN FOLLOW Th STORY HUSBAND SAVS HE CM STiAV AWAKE NOW AND SCOWLS, TRVlWb fo KEEP EVtS OPEN SUDDENLY BECOMES AWARE OF A RrAYHMIC SNORE ON HER LEFT 6ETTIN& LOUDER decides she wont 5ef much of picture herself at This ROTE AND TAKES HIM HOMf. (Copyright, 1934, by The Bell Syndicate, Inc.) S 'MATTER POP By 0. M. Payn By Hal Forrest y f .vs, 7ust? ".4ow come, rrlF ; I THfoaa. ' y f I OVE18COAT w it Isf If f "v 'V TAILSPIN TOMMY The Picture Must Go On I S- f"010 S "MID-" TV(Olii, PAUL.-- llnij 1 1 VOU TtUNK A&OUTI JURV TO DeClDE. .li NKKT mTBOL AJWEVE SOT THE A. JaL IT ON THIS PICTUEE . 'S r.Jf Hi 18 J ll DOUG'S CHANCES? 2W PAUL- OOE. CAN'T lla BEN WEBSTER'S CAREER Always Ready With One! I'M MINUS A 6A1LOR, THAT'S WHV-OH. NOTHIN' SERIOUS -SAM SCUPPS HAD TO GO AN' LET A CRATE FALL ON HIM- By Edwin Alger -IT TORE A GASH IN HIS LEG BUT T BANDAGED HIM UP AN PUT HIM IN SICK BAY-NOW, LAD, DONT LOOK SO TUNNED CAP'N IKE WILL HAVE OLD SAM AS GOOD AS NEW IN NO TIME The Oeneral Petroleum Torture car made the trsnsrontlnental trip ' from New York to the Paclflo cont' without s, radiator's cooling sails- j Unce, demonstrating the perform snce of Moblloll end Mobllga under extreme heat conditions. ( SAY, ARE YOU VAfW-' MORNIN' LADX Tl7 f GOIN' TO SLEEP ' HONEST? V WE'LL SOON BE WHY I ALL DAY? jg. y, Jj OFF DEAD DOG I SO? j ( WE'RE MOVIN7 gjlllll REEF, BUT NOT SO ) VL-V ( TrervmS d cap-n; 7 VRate fall on him- j THE NEBBS Discord rt WrE) AKJO THESES MO SCMCG CAM RR?sJ& ST,CMRS AMD TeU- ME UJWAT A HARD J V' U VUAKEUP? WHO VREASOKJ TO SK1EAK OUT WOD I MM )T BE ThI SMACJTEStA V )OB OIe GOT IP V WAS AM ft li'lVA AM 1 AROUMO OL SLUMBER.! COULD BWlllEM mVm 1 W WOWAr V ROSAT, 1. COULD DO VOUPi ; "j '"js iillli j A By Sol Hesi BRINGING UP FATHER PRESBYTERIAN MERGER PROPOSAL IS REJECTED OXFORD. Ohio, June as. (API The nenersl assembly of the United Preebyterlsn church In North Amer ica today decisively rejected e pro posal of merger with the Preabyte- rlan church In the U. 8. A. ! The vote was 113 to lis. A two-' thirds majority was required tor ap. 1 prorml. WINDOW GLASS sell window glass and will replsoe your broken windows reasonably Trowbridge Ceo met Works. NOW L STEM MV SON I I WANT TO TALK TO YOU - THATS BETTER TWAM WAVlMC TO HEAR MOTHER blNQ On Kail Tribune went edt. AN' REMEMBER- TE.LA-IM- YOU FTHW5 NOVICE- 5.TC- ETC AN' INI COMCLAJSllON LET ME SAY-THAT IF YOU AVOiO ALL THE TEMPTATION I'VE JUT TOLD YOU ASOUT YOU'LL. BEA FINE MAM By George McMantu BUT, D AO! HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT TME5E THiNCS THAT YOU TELL ME NOT TO DO? V
