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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 22, 1939)
PAGE TEN MEDFORD MATT TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1939. by Francos t LSI LHUAX . Mr. Ueant lelu Michael (hat Mrs. Murchison uas out with a man the evening Mur chison cfuappeared. Later that ever.ing, Mn. Devoe it found dead on the cliff Chapter 41 Return Tc Life' fUCK was sitting up In bed drinking the cocoa Bunny had lust brought ner. Micnaei, in dress inn eown and slippers, was stalk' inn restlessly about the room, and Bunny was perched on the foot of ruck s bed. pale and quiet. Bunny was not talking a great deal these terrible days. There was so little to say that did not touch on the mystery: so little that did not re mind her or Micnaeis warning. The world seemed rather a terri ble, unfriendly, deceiving place. "Michael." Tuck set down her cup and snuggled down into her pillows. "Michael, why aid she do it?" He did not answer for a minute, fhen he turned and faced her. leaning over the foot of his own bed. "You mean," he said slowly, "If she had done it, why would she have done itr " Tuck gasped. "Murder?" she asked in a breathless whisper. "Any observant person who has lived near Mrs. Devoe for a num ber of years would know she was left handed. Easiest thing in the world to drape that left hand around the knife In her heart." "But the knife itselfl It was her own, out of her handbag. Why should she have been carrying lit "1 always have a penknife in my handbag," Bunny said in her low voice, after a minute. She was thinking it over. "Yes. And the point is . , , the blade isn t over two inches long. Pretty hard to stab yourself with a blade two inches long, I should imaRine." "Will you tell me whv she did It?" Tuck said after a minute or two. Her voice was very small and tired. Michael drew a deep breath and itraightened his shoulders. "I'll tell you a story," he said, "and you can draw your own conclusions. "It's a story of the necklace," he went on. "I'll tell it briefly. It be gan in Williston, six years ago. At the time, a very wealthy woman had as her maid a pretty French girl whose name was Marie Duval. The girl . . ." . Tuck gasped weakly. "The girl seemed thoroughly trustworthy, although she was much too fond of the men to please her mistress entirely. One of her ? articular admirers was the mis rcss' nephew who was at the time attending the University there. The second and the two men did not know of each other, remember that was another student, a roungcr fellow, to whom she paid ittle attention, although he seems to have been quite mad about her. I do not know the details of their acquaintanceship. The older chap had no prospects of inheriting money, although his aunt was wealthy, and if the younger had any money he kept it to himself (or some time. "It is possible that it did not lecm importnnt to him, since he was deeply interested in science and not in money or commerce. "The mistress was rather a con noisseur of jewels, and so the maid handled many of them. It must have been a temptation to a nature such as hers; one realizes that. She Anally succumbed to that tempta tion. However, she did not steal from her mistress; she took a dia mond necklace which she was sup posed to be returning to a shop. It was a week or two before the theft was discovered, the mistress and the jeweler each thinking the other had the necklace. By this time the girl had repented of her action, and would have given up the jewels, perhaps, save that it meant a confession of what she had done. When the questioning began she was in an agony of apprehen sion, denying that she had not re turned the jewels. This was obvi ously untrue, and drastic steps were about to be taken when to the tremendous surprise of all con cerned, the girl pnid for the dia monds, announced that she was married and left her position. She had told the younger of the two men to whom I haye referred of her trouble, and he had offered to marry her and pay for the jewels. He had had a recent inheritance of something over fifty thousand dol lars. Blank Astonishment ""VF COURSE you know of whom " I am speaking. Marie Duval married Edgar Murchison to save herself from prison. The unfortu nate pnrt of the matter," said Mi chael dryly, "was that she had already married Jared Devoe." If he expected blank astonish ment from his audience, he got It Neither girl could speak. Michael lit a cigarette. "So," he went on after a pause, "you get the situation. Marie is apparently still in love with her own husband. She engineered rather cleverly the business of getting him here into this University, through passing him off as her cousin. They are not unlike in appearance, although there is not the slightest relation ship. He is quite mad about her too, I think, although he mav be tiring of her just a bit. Still, those !T SCHOOL PROGRAM TONIGHT rrospect, Dec. 22. (SpD The annual Christmas program nf Prospect grade school will be given In the gymnasium to nl ilit nt 8 o'clock. All pupils will participate. The program follows: "Santa Clans Is Coming To Town," primary rhythm band; She'ley Wes letters didn't sound as if he were, did they?" "Letters?" "In the box, honey. The warm, friendly ones." "Michael Bruce Forrester! How long have you known that?" "Oh, quite a while." Bunny laughed suddenly. "I thought perhaps they were one of the unspeakable things .Duncan was responsible for," she said. "No." He blew a smoke ring. "So you see," he went on, "why Mrs. Devoe would have committed suicide if she had committed sui cide. Which she didn't." "What makes you so sure she didn't, Michael?" "The same thing that explains why she might have. Her tempera ment and her religion. She was a very moody, serious minded, earn est Christian woman. She has been wringing her hands and praying for a long time now, worrying herself sick over '.he sins of her only child. But suicide in her eyes must have been a greater sin than all; she wouldn't pile one sin on another. No. But it must have been rather awful for her . . . for. you see," Michael said quietly, "she didn't know into what black depths Devoe and his wife had been led in order to conceal their relationship." "Then, if It Isn't aulcide, Mi chaelwhy was she murdered? Because she knew too much? Like Miss Lissey? Old Mrs. Devoe? Is what you have told us the thing " Bunny's eyes widened. Michael drew a deep breath. "That's a question I should like to be able to answer," he said de spondently. The inquest, followed so closely by old Mrs. Devoe's death, marked the end of the period of seeming inaction for Michael. He was away from home most of the time, on mysterious errands which he did not explain. One of these errands was in answer to a telephone call from the Veterans' Hospital a call which asked him to come to the hospital immediately, as one of the patients wanted to see him. As Michael knew it must be, It was Smith. He was pitifully thin and pale. As they came in he jumped up and gazed at them frantically. His eyes were burning with an insane light. "It's you!" he choked out "Yes, Michael said cheerfully. "What can I do for you. old man?" With My Own Eyes SMITH .elaxed a little. He sank back into the pillows, but his hands still clawed nervously at the edge of the blankets. He loo!:od at the doctor. "I got to talk to him alone," he said. The doctor went out and shut the door quietly. Smith dropped his voice to an accusing whisper. "You said as how I didn't need to be afraid of him no longer." he said hoarsely, "You said as how he was gone away, and wouldn't never come back. You said as I was safe. Didn't you? Didn't you?" "Yes." "Well, you got that paper, ain't you? Can't you do something for me? Can't you get him locked up?" "Locked up?" Michael repeated in amazement. "He'll be hangin' around here In a day or two, like as not. Send in' for me. that's what he'll be doin'. I won't go. I tell you, I won't go. Nothing on earth can make me go. "Listen," said Michael tersely. "Act like a man, will you? You're acting like a damned rabbit." t- :.!. ...i iL . i oiuiiii wipi-u uie sweai irom nts face. "You ain't never been shell shocked," he mumbled. No. I don t know what It's like. But talk sense, anyway. I told you the other dav vou were safe. Safe as anything on God's earth could make you from Mur chison. He's dead, man." Smith stnred at him. His eves were starting from his head. "Dead?" he whispered. "Dead! Didn't I see him with my own eyes no later than yesterday?" wnati" 'It's true! I mlcht have known that devil had vou fooled. He's too smart Dead I I was in a store, way on me omer side or town. Univer sity folks don't go over there. He's hidin', I say. God know3 what for. He come In the store, and I saw him coming. I got down behind a counter quick. He never saw me at all. But I saw him, the devil! Dead! Not on vour life, he isn't dead." "Just a minute." said Michael quietly. "You're not doing your self any good. You say you saw him yesterday. Are you sure you're not mistaken?" "1 am not. It s Murchison. I saw him plain." "Describe him." "Well he looked Just the same as ever except he had on a coat One of them dusty looking rain coats it was, and a fawn hat. He's tall . . . clean shaved, dark. What else Is there?" "You'd swear on the Bible that It was Edgar Murchison?" "I would." "What kind of a store?" Michael asked after a moment. "A hardware store. I was buyin' a bit of tape to mend my crutch." "What was he buving?" 'That's what 1 asked the clerk when he went out. I thought it might be . . ." Smith shuddered, caught Michael's eye. and con trolled himself. "He was buying an oar-lock." he said. Continued tomorrow "Jingle Bells," marimba band, first and second grades. "With the Help of Bunny," Christmas play by first, second, third and fourth grades. Christmas songs by chorus, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades. "The Wonderful Invention." fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth grades, showing Christmas in Norway, Sweden, Poland, Hol land, and the nativity scene. Visit of Santa Clnus and dis tribution of candy to children. Teachers presenting the pro gram are Mrs. Ethel Thompson, Carol Furry, Georgians Hits song and Mr. Ed Starr. On the RADIO CHAINS STATIONS Where to Find Them on the Dial: Kes, Portland, 1180; KF1. 40 Los Angeles; KQA, WO. Spokane; KGO, J80, San Franclico; HUM 620, Portland; KJK. 810, Seattle; KNX, 1050, Loe Antelee: BOA. tup. Denver; KOIN, 040, Portland; KUMO. 838. Seattle; KPO, 680, Han FranclMMi; KSI I ISO, Salt Lake. Friday. 8:00 Prank snd Archie, KJR; Sunset Shadows, KQO; Melody Time, KPO; Don't Forget, KFI. 5:30 Etchings In Brass, KQO, KJR; Musical Vignettes, KFI. 6:00 Plantation Party, KQO, KZTX. KJR; Waltz Time, KPO, KFI, KOW; Pro!. Quiz, KNX, KSL, KOIN. 6:80 First Nlghter, KNX. KSL. KOIK; Jeeael's Program, KPO, KFI, KOW; Who's in Town Tonight, KQO. 7:00 Drama, KNX, KOIN, KSL; Lombardo's Orch., KPO, KFI, KOW; Boxing Bout, KOO, KJR. 7:80 The story Behind tho Head lines, KOW; Boxing Bout, KOO, KJR, KEX; Big Town, KPO. 8.00 Pleasure Time, KPO. KFI, KOW; Amos and Andy, KNX, KOIN, KSL; Robinson's Buckaroos, KOO, KEX, KJR. 8:151 Love a Mystery, KPO. KFI, KOW; Lum and Abner, KNX, KOIN, KSL. 8:30 Hlmber's Orch., KEX; Death SUBURBAN HEIGHTS , IWtlf fW 16 HH& oN "fo to CHW51MAS SPIRIT WcSi, 6 O'CLOCK FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAROL. SIK6IN6 iVto-T frfE WOMEN HAD 0R6ANI2ED AHP FOUND "THAT . HE WAS -THE ONLY ONE To SHOW CP IX-5 TAILSPIN TOMMY Tommy Is N AN EFMRT TO MAKE LEM SOLO, TOMMY THREW HIS JOYCE "STICK. ovERfjoAHD.. and lem promptly FOLLOWED HIS EXAMPLE ' I.".' 1 1 " i v - ti i iiiiii -.'." lit ii w: v vc i i ' 0.oopA count slow,:toi m2Miiim , m&mmm BEN WEBSTER'S CAREER The WELL, I'LL BE "1 oofisnNcn' I j WHAT'S THE J I MATTER WITH PEOPLE rl I ANYWAY? 1 BEN WEBSTER'S CAREER Surrender? . COME OM, RUDY-A I DOWT FEteL LikE. "Nil OUST WHT S THEY!'; Iii MSWT AS WELLTElC! f MeASJ TO SAY Sj THAT'S OUST EXACTLY ZlNOUR &R5AKFAST7 EAT1MG ANYTHING.) J MATTER. WITUYOU? V fNOU.THAT BIT OF PAPER. 1 THAT BIT OF7 PAPER )! WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE MOWll VjS READY J M0T B1T y V0U EPT ME AWAKE li I i wa,S LOOKING FORWASJ I WAS OUR FORTUNE 1 DIDNT PUT AMY IMPORTANCE - TT-rfU HUNGRY ' ALL NISHT WITH YOUR HALF THE FORMULA OfI V AND OU LOST ) T0 ,T WMEM WE GAVE IT TO J ' Ift-r-r- m ? HJS,DI TH5 power. pills 'MSLZ7C, thought hewas I ' X'h ill n S J-TOU SAY YOU j AND WITHOUT MY C4 U'l Cf V A NUT SO DID VOU1 A . Valley Days, KPO, KOW, KFI; JoHn ny Presents, KNX, KOIN, KSL; Aloha Lend, KOO. 8:00 Tucker's Orch, KOO, KJR, KEX: Smith's Variety Hour. KNX. KOIN; London Letter, KPO; I Want a Job, KOW, 8:80 Quizzical Muslcale, KGO, KEX; University Explorer, KPO, KFI: Muslo by Woodbury, KOW; News, KJR. 10:00 Martin's Orch, KOO, KJR, KEX; News Reporter. KPO, KFI, KOW; Paul Sullivan, KNTC, KSL; News, KOIN. 10:30 Heldt's Orch., KPO. KOW, KFI; McDonald's Highlanders, KOO; Deutsch's Orcha., KSL. 11:00 Nottingham's Orch.. KPO. KOW, KFI; Gray's Orch, KSL, KOIN; This Moving World, KEX, KJR; News, KOO. Saturday 8:00 Oboler's Plays, KPO. KOW; Ravazza's Orch, KOO, KJR; News, KFI. 8:30 King's Orch., KNX, KOIN. KSL: Quiz Program, KOO, KJR, KEX. 8.00 Oluskln's Orch, KOIN, KNX; Clinton's Orch, KPO, KFI, KOW; Beyond Reasonable Doubt, KQO, KJR, KEX. 6:30 Maurice's Music, KOO; Ross and Dltmara, KOIN; News, KJR. 7:00 Goodman's Orch, KPO, KFL KOW; Symphony Orch., KOO, KJR, KEX. 7:30 Drama, KPO, KFI, KGW: Sports Huddle, KOIK, KNX. 8:00 Noble's Orch, KOIN, KNX; (nulMSfj by Th Hell Synillrm. !ne ) Optimistic! Mayor's Lamentl Barn Dance, KPO, KFI, KOW; Sym phony Orch, KEX. KJR. 8:30 Gang Busters, KNX. KSL. KOIN; Waltz Reflections, KGO. 8:00 Heldt's Orch, KPO, KPI; Hit Parade, KNX, KSL, KOIN; Drama, KOO, KEX, KJR, KGW. 8;30 Ravazza's Orch, KEX; Saun der's Orch, KFI, KGW; News, KGO, KJR. 10:00 Heldt's Orch, KOW: Fos ter's Orch, KOO, KJR, KEX: Con cert Hall, KPO; News, KFI, KOIN, KNX. 10:30 Noble's Orch, KOO. KJR, KFI; Lopez Orch, KNX; Martins Orch, KPO. KOW. 11:00 Nottingham's Orch, KPO, KFI; Owen's Orch, KOIN. KSL: Or. ganlst, KEX, KJR; News, KOO, KOW, KNX. Italian Steamer Hits Mine, Sinks Amsterdam, Dec. 22. (Fi The Italian steamer Comitas, 3,685 tons, sank today off Flush ing on the southwestern coast of The Netherlands after strik ing a mine. The Netherlands navy sent vessels to pick up the crew, who took to life boats. Canada To Send Aerial Squadron Ottawa, Dec. 22. (JP) Can ada intends to send overseas a complete air squadron and be tween 6,000 and 7,000 troops By GLUT AS WILLIAMS IWU.1AMS TO MY NECK IN TROUBLE I YOU KNOW BESS LOU ALFOHD? THE LADY THAT CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO of the technical services to sup port the first division In the field. Defense Minister Norman Rogers announced last night that artillery, engineers, sig nalers, ordnance and hospital units, along with certain base troops, would join the first di vision in France. The landing of the division in Great Britain for period of training was announced Monday. Closing time for Too Late to Clas sify Ads Is 1:80 p. m. STRANGE AS IT SEEMS By JOHN HIX For further proof address the author. Inclosing stomped envelope tor reply. Reg. V. 8. Pat Oft. EVERYBODY '? NAMEP I &Ro&ER5" J ?O?M0W 130... MWoREPWARDMftNNocK Pptfkfr World Mat ace, . WAS CAPTURED &y GERMANS flAin osi ese.cn h ARMlEfS CRIPPLE 1rteN Joined Trie r.f.c. AMD GUoTDOUJM 50 GtRMhN PIAE? N COMSAT THE FLYING CRIPPLE A man who was captured and later released by Germany because he was blind In one eye and "harmless," afterwards shot down at least 50 German World War airplanes. This man was Major Edward Mannock, Irish-born British soldier who had enlisted with ihe infantry. After his capture and subsequent release, he returned to the front as an air pilot. There Mannock officially shot down 50 enemy planes. His unofficial record stands at 73. Ironically, he was killed following a plane down after it had been disabled. TOMORROW: Gridiron Glamourl YEP, AN' TO REWARD HER OFFERED HER THE JOB OF CHIEF OF POLICE THIS MORNING! I TOLD HER THE TWO OF US WOULO DRIVE I THE OIL FOLKS OUT 0 HAPFY VALLEY.' 1 T I San Francisco Mail Largest In History San Francisco, Dec. 22. (fP The biggest Christmas busi ness the San Francisco post of fice ever had rushed clerks at top speed Thursday. Mall vol ume was running about 12. S percent ahead of last year. Tuesday's receipts of $78, 989.91 set a new one-day record, Postmaster William H. Mc Carthy said. Wednesday's 8,150, 000 cancellations also hit a new high. - - I. .I'M - PLUM B SORRY, MR. TOMKINS6-BUT YEW ALLUS ,TOL'Mt TO DO JEST WHUT YEW DID. AN' VHENI YEW .THREW AWAY S.THET PLY I N i STICK-.WHY... Cross those CWPI LlV ACCEPT DID SHE ACCEPT? SHE'S mm OIL BUSINESS NOW HERSELF Portland Guard Best Marksmen Salem, Dec. 22. yP) Rifle men of company B, 186th in fantry, Portland, won the Ore gon national guard marksman ship trophy for the ninth con secutive year. Major General George A. White, commanding general, said today. More than half the company of three officers and 80 enlisted men qualified as experts, and nearly all the rest were rated as sharp-shooters. HNS Trit 6RAND SfolRCASE OFIrie PftLftcE OF THE Cfcr tfre amusement of His Majesty) AlrVSKA' CoftSTUNE v (26,000 milez) IS IONGER -THAU THAT OF CONTINENTAL UNTEP$rmS. By HAL FORRE?- your, fingers, tommy last words may be By EDWIN ALGER NOTHING I IN THE By SOL HESr GUESS I..I..W F-OR.GET IT,T NEVER. WUZ I LEM THE CUT OUT A BLAME'S MOSTLY kT'BE AN MINE.'... I'LL I AVIATOR... MAKE A F-LTEP. 7iT ssr YET-1 f- it J
