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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 1938)
PAGE TEN1 rEPFOKD MAIL TRTBTTNE, fE'DFO'RD. OTtEOOy. SrNDAT. "DECErBER 18. IMS. THE ARMY POST MURDERS ' . By Virginia Hanson 1 The Character! Kathftrtnt Cornish, miset, oil iting llrnbcth on a mid-westtrn Army pan. Elizabeth, Colonel Wright' l daughter. Adam Drew, acting command Inp officer, festeraan The olrl l an epi leptic In her room ii a ttrange note beginning "Come 1 you must " and ending "Keep under cover or you'll wish you had." Chapter 16 The Typewriter ALONE with the unconscious girl 1 read the note once more. There was something familiar about the typewritten letters. I be gan to search the lines feverishly Yes, the e was out of line, and th i crowded the letter that followed I dropped the sheet of paper and stared at the bare white wall was unbearably hot here close to the roof. Hardly aware of what was doing. I fumbled with the frogs and button! at my throat. along the shoulder, under the arm As I slipped out of the mandarin coat I was conscious of Intense re lief, as if It typified all the heavy blackness, all the evil of the night. I hung it carefully over the back of the chair, for. after all, It was gorgeous garment and It was not mine. Then I picked up the letter and held it close to the light. staring hopelessly at the d-f five type, as familiar to me as the pat tern of lines on my own hand, and remembering exactly, vividly, scene in the two-room apartment I share with Eileen a scene near ly a year old. I was proudly showing my new noiseless typewriter to Charli Charlie on his way to Join the regiment, his ring very new and atrange on my finger, "Look, Charlie, it's red!" "And pipe the streamline curves) Don't Hd me, it's a tricycle or something. That thing can't write " "No. I do that" Charlie was shaking his head mournfully. "The old gray mare ain't what the uster be. What ever became of Grandpa's old Oliver? Now there was a typewriter!" "Oh, I've got a battered old wreck too. They wanted to give me ten dollars tor it, but it was too much like nartine with t, mem ber of the family. I thought I might still use it ocasionally, but of course I won't" "I'll give you a ten spot for It" "Sight unseen? After what I've done to it and on it I doubt if it's worth It i "Well, I need something that will set down one letter alter an other. You know my fist." "It couldn't help be more legible man tnat after all, it saw me through college. You'll treat It gently and give it a new ribbon occasionally? I really ought to put it out to pasture after all these ' years. After all those years was it like ly that I could be mistaken? Was it likely that two old typewriters would nave the same delects de fects that speckled all the early manuscripts that still overflowed my desk drawers?, I might as well face It. That let ter, the damnably callous letter that the poor .stricken girl had brought with her, had been writ ten on Charlies typewriter Charlie's that once was mine. Worse Than Murder MY determination to shield him wavered. If he had written that letter he was not the boy I grew up with. And what could she be to him that stigmatized figure of tragedy, so slight so worn, so alone that she must trust to the compassion of any passing stran ger when the sna..ed mechanism of her body betrayed he'? If she were Charlie's responsi bilitybut how could she be? then he must ask no quarter from me. Worse thnn hotheaded murder was the cnllous indifference of someone who knew this girl was here alone. And the letter had been written on Charlie's type writer. I was through concealing clues. me presence or Ethel Curtis put a graver complexion on tl.ings. Something evil was stalking through these corridors tonisht somethlng self-centered and ruth less. A personality began to take shape in mv mind. I closed the door softly behind me and crept to the head of the stairs. . could still hear her if she stirred I could hear, too, Adam' voice below n.e. and could distin guish most of the questions and answers. After a moment 1 recognized the ON REVENUE HELD FOR LEGISLATURE SALEM ( VP ) A rrport to th IratslMur on pnwlhlfl nrw way of getting money lian bren completed by the Interim committee on ntnte unci lo?l revenue, whlrh hurt been In "-c:on off nrt on ulnce the 1037 ' ' inn of the leg lulnl 1119. The committee, headed by Charles V. OnlluTA-ny of the Mute Uk commln Mon. tins been brtMRt with pUnn, some of th'in sound and some of them ao far off center that one mem ber of the committee dubbed them "lame brained." The cuimaitun KiuwU to rrluftt 1 other voice as Barney's - quick, high, nervous, obviously strained to the breaking point "We must have been near the door." I heard him say. "The en trance, I mean. I heard i thought it was one of those balloons. She went limp in my arms." His voice broke, steadied. "Then I saw there was blood on my hand. . . ." "Then the shot seemed to come from outside?" "I don't know I tell you, I thought it was a balloon." "Do vou r member a car pass ing?" "I don't know I think no. 1 don't know. There may have been." Adam was silent "or a minute. When he resumed his voice was less official, more gentle. "What kind of trouble was she in, Barney?" "Trouble? What do you mean? What makes you think so?" "I don't know. Even tonight I thought she seemed ragged." "She drinks drark too much. I've been telling her. She was go ing on the wagon after tonight." "Was that why you split up last spring?" "Not not exactly." 1 ached at the patience in that tortured voice, "You heard that story about Wheeler? He was shootim off his mouth. Shaw told me the straight of it, but even then I guess I was jealous. I thought she might really like the fellow." "But you changed your mind?" "Yes later. That was Elizabeth. She talked some sense into me." We had been hearing a lot ot theories about Elizabeth and Bar ney. Here at last was something that sounded authentic. If only Charlie's part could be as reason-. ably explained. But the typewriter and I had seen his eyes when he looked at her. The Prize '"yHEN you've nothing to add ' about that shot this after noon?" I heard Adam ask. "I told vou I don't know any thing about a shot. 1 dropped a light bulb and tnat ass Shaw thinks back and decides it was a shot." But we did find a' bullet" Adam reminded him mildly 'You know what I think about that. Somebody somebody missed her the first time. The last words were half sobbed. Surely Adam would let him go now. He did. I heard his voice asking Barney to stay around and advis ing him to take care of himself. But Barney's ordeal was not end ed. I heard the door open and Mrs. r lowers uncontrolled words be gan to flow. "Such a dreadful thing vou poor boyl Quite like Juliet and Romeo, only of course she didn't kill herself or did she? Juliet, I mean. I was lust asking Mr Shaw where vou wore So glad vou're able to be about He didn't know about the prize; that's how he happened to mention you. "The orize?" Barney repeated stupidly. "Yes. for the balloon dance. Mv balloon was the last one on the floor at least well, voi I wa the Inst one dancing. So of course I asked Mr. Shaw about the nrize and ho said vou d know. . . There was an awful silence. For once even Adam must have been at a loss. Then someone began to laugh a thin, high giggle. "The prize!" Barney gasped hrillv and broke into another Deal of that terrible laughter. Adam said something in a low voice and the sound ceased. A door opened and closed. Now don't sav a word." said Mrs. Flower olncidlv. "I oiiite un derstand and I'm not hurt The boy's overwrought No doubt he's forgotten what he did with it. If you see him, just tell him he can send it around tomorrow. . . ." Adam coughed and seemed at a loss for an opening. But he need not have worried. It was only nec essary to Ifsten. Mrs. Flower pro ceeded to volunteer all that she ad told me earlier in the even ing about hearing the shot and about Mrs. Orpington s incrimi nating position on the veranda. 'And everyone on the nost now! she's that wau about Bar ry. Of coutsc they sau it's dah lias" "Barney Is very much Interest ed in botany," Adam interposed ravely "Biology, too inherited traits quite a scientific mind." Now if Adam would onlv net rid of her. so I could tell him about the typewriter. Mrs. Flower's sudden sil. ice was more provocative thnn her peech. She couldn't lust bt still. It was impossible Somethlnii must he going on. Something was. I heard Adam snv. Whnt s thnt? And then. In a piercing stage hlsner thnt enrried easily to the head of the stairs. Mrs Flower hissed. "A scrap of caper!" tCwvrtoht IMS Flrcili Hntuoti) Tomorrow: I drsrrt my pott IU tmdttu until the leglature In In ceiwlon. Those who havo followed iw wnrklngd have placed the following among the mwl Important matters di!KHsjHd: 1. A change In asftriwmeiitu against real property, to equalize the load The comlr.u year find no atato pro perty tax levy, but there remain te county and city, aa well an twhool dis trict personal property levlr. These ni-p neavy or iini ttrpt'iuitng upon the community, but mnat are fairly heavy. 3 A tightening of the Income tan lawa. particularly in the higher bracket, and an adjustment In de duction It wa. pointed out that the amount deductible can rcduc the Income of a 3 OCKi-a-year Individ ual into the J.iHXl-3.000 Income group. In which the lower tai la paid. Ily changing the exemption to a ta refund" some believe it possible to bring alt fcl.oiX) -mI.u led persons into the 4.000 tax bracket. 3. nroaa eale tix, to be paid by all the mere! ant an' added to ail jhu1uo vuUiout the uh- ol tokuis. STRANGE AS IT SEEMS By JOHN HIX Tor further proof address the author, Inclosing a stamped envelop for reply, Reg. U B. Pat OS. rait ( S y. gsOuMs $p$rv Although Coach W. J. Wladom of the John Tarleton Plowboys basket ball team, Stephenvllle. Texas, never played a game of basketball In his life, hla team set a record run of 86 straight victories. The amazing winning atreak la only part of the atory out of no games played in lt)33-38. the team won all but two, which were lost only by one- point marginal 'After winning 13 straight vlctorle In 1933, the Plowboys lost to the San Angelo Ram 43-42. There followed A similar sales tax Is In effect In California, where tokens are not used. 4. Personal property tax on auto mobiles, on a sliding scale computed from the value of the automobile. Instead of a flat (6 fee. 5. Increasing the license fees and taxes on buses and trucks which ply the public highways. 6. Diversion of gasoline and liquor revenues from the state to the coun ties In heavier proportion than Is now done. City and county groups have as sailed the committee with pleas for TAIXSPIN TOMMY Tommy's my. a J FRAY AlD 1 1 J 1 L - i rv , r ii ' -n i A SAFE LANDIMG ON THE OCEAN IN THEIR AMPHIBIAN AMD POUND THAT A Pi See OP TUBINC HAD BEEN CONNECTED FROM THE MOTOR EXHAUST INTO THE CABIN IN A, DELIBERATB ATTEMPT TO MURDER. TMEMj Meanwhile, REACHED OP THB FOG BANK. AND CUT HIS MOTOR, LISTENING TOR THE tiOONE OP THE PIRATES MOTOR. . . . W BEN WEBSTERS CAREER "Up Against It?' THE NEBBS Dealing in Futiire EBW SO STEVE is GOING TO STOP ' ''."''.' r f WELL, IF IT YES, BUT VOU DOrJT ' VWWAT ABOUT IT? TWATSYT 1 WAS TWlUKIKlsS KaW OFF TO SAV -GOOOBVe'TD TV4E N ' .... WASNJ'T FOR. 1 SEEM TO REALIZE THAT Sj I A PAR CRY INTO THE j ' op JuuiOR J WIDOVJ- llL BET IT WOMT BE ) r; TUOSE TWO WDS IF ME REMAINS SINGLE J FUTURE IT WOMT BE V-'l W GOOD-BVE IF KJELUE GIVES HIM IT VJOULDSTT BE AlM WIS OMLV NEAR LIVING ( LOKJCi BETWEEN TME 1 D 's x ANV ENCOURAGEMEJsJT A BAD PLACE m. I RELATIVE V TIME ONE OF VOU WILL ) 1 FOR STEVE -y-- WAVE TO ACT AND r- r" four years of consistent wlnnlng,86 games totaling 3705 points broken In 1038 again by the Rams, 27-26. The Plowboys won the nine remain ing 1938 game, for a total of 108 games won, two lost. In amassing their record run of 86 wins, tha Plowboys scored five one point victories, two of which came after overtime periods. Job for Itlg Thumbs One of the strnncest rcaulrempntR for a Job ever specified was that of 01 "El I Jim Murphy, operator of the more funds and for relief from their own heavy relief loads. Burden of relief now rests upon 'the counties They have asked that a greater pro portion of that load be shifted to the state. Cities In particular have been eager .or a diversion of gasoline tax reve nues, now used mainly for construc tion and maintenance of state high ways. The state highway commission has been adamant in Its refusal to have gasoline money diverted for any purpose. Use Mall Tribute Want Ads. Desperate Plan cttsa. i 1 1 HAMK mBE tommy THE SKUItlTr J3"T THB BLANKET OF Tommys reading shows that HE HAS A WIDE MARGIN safety in the Foe hTIp vouU ,cvn.J0 I UTI,rTHuEAcCjT WH.AT STHE11 THAT'S THE TROUBLE! I -MY COWS SEEM TO f SEE, THAT'S I 'JL I ud,5 "J.V?r I O THE MATTER I MATTER, I I DON'T KNOW EYACTLV-1 Bt ON ONE 0' THEM 1 To6 BAD J J J W,RK LIKE JESr IS- IM S0RTA I MR- CASEY? 1 Y'SEE, I'M A DAIRY I THERE SIT-DOWN "J ET'E VKwNo0WP,rAVE ASIN "-Knr -f cFA0RtfEScAN DAIRY I STRIKES THEY JEST DfWg&F Lii5iuBE!-,.TUl q'IZ r-ZKS V FARMERS IS S0RTA l J AINT GIV1N' ME THE W IS yP HANPS ' ENPENT ocOWS THEY SHOULD J m H&NPS WftRt REQUIRED Of &ftRTENPR$ At COLUMBIA, C3lif., MINING CAMP, vWe a A PINCH OF fioM) DUST Of A DRINK' OS VtcToms IH yjre scored eyrne IZ-J7-3& Dorado" saloon In Columbia, an early California mining camp. His em ployees all had to have big thumbs! The reason for this was that the current price of drinks In Columbia was "one pinch of gold dust." Obvi ously, the more dust a barkeeper could pinch, the more profit the house made. One man, John Olsen of Missouri, had such satisfactory thumbs that he was paid $200 a week to tend bar at the "El Dorado." Monday: The woman of the North. PENDLETON. Ore., Dec, 17. (7p) The Pendleton schol board has an nounced revival of a proposed plan whereby two additional years would be added to the present high school course under a system which would be termed "advanced secondary and vocational training." Before the proposed plan could be put into effect, however, it wilt be necessary to obtain approval of the legislature and the governor. Closing time for Too Late to Clas sify Ada Is 1:30 p m. MIST MUST Jb HE DECIDES TO STAY IN THE MISTY SHROUD OP area. THE WORLD AT ITS WORST AFfER SPEAKW6 V0UR MIND ABOUf HAV1N6 lb SfArJD Itf LINE SO L0N6, ASD INEFFlClEKf OR- SMiZfyrtOrt, AND YHE RI6HY6 OF f A -PAVERS , X VOU Find VOU ARE AT -THE WRONG MWDOW saws (Oopyrlght, 1638, by Tha Bell Syndicate, Inc.', II-lb "aiftr75 8 MATTER POf ?? J y -a'me. Vif1 i Twm -T-),, YV- VWrU ("FOTZ-AW ESTIMATE. i I Vou Xoim VVSS' W3 w me Time. To J tl W (Copyright 1838. by The Bell Byndiote. Inc.) ONG ENOUGH TO THROW HIS PURSUER. OFF HI3 TRAIL . . ANDTHEPI BURST ABOVE . . . BlTT. .SUPPOSE THE MAY BE UP THERE FOR. HIM. .??? By GLUYAS WILLIAMS, Bv 0 l PAYNE By HAL FORRESX THROUGH PIRATE WAITINO EDWIN ALOES Bt sol at?' 8,
