manifest indignation. [Pg 63] Suddenly Mrs. Cummack put her arms about him and patted the top of his head. He had burst into tears and was rubbing his eyes on his sleeve. "Poor old Dave!" he sobbed. "I'm all in. But I'll find that low-down cur who killed him, cut him off in his prime, if it takes the last cent I've got." Mrs. Balfame rose and crossed to his side. She put her hand on his shoulder. "I never should have suspected that you had such depth of feeling, Sam," she said softly, "I am sure that the cowardly murderer will be caught and that yours will be the glory. Send those inconsiderate reporters away." Mr. Cummack shook his head. "As well talk of calling off the police. They'll be round here day and night till the man is in Dobton jail—longer, for they know the public will want an interview with the widow. Better see them, Enid." "I shall not." Mrs. Balfame put her hand to her head and reeled. "Oh, I am so tired! So tired! What a day. Oh, how I wish Anna were here." Three of the women caught her and led her to her chair. "Anna!" she reiterated. "I must have something to make me sleep—" "I'll call her up!" volunteered Mrs. Gifning. "I do hope she is at home—" "She was to go out to the Houston farm," interrupted Mrs. Cummack. "She stopped at our house on the way out—Sammy has bronchitis—"; and Mrs. Gifning, who was as nervous as the widow should have[Pg 64] been, ran down to the telephone, elated at being the one chosen to horrify poor Dr. Anna while engaged in the everlasting battle for life. [Pg 64] "I'll stay with Enid till Anna comes," volunteered Mrs. Cummack. "I guess she'd better be quiet. One of you might make coffee for those that are going to sit up—" "Frieda's doin' that," said Mr. Cummack. "They're all in the dining-room—" Mrs. Balfame had left the shelter of Mrs. Cummack's arm and was sitting very straight. "Frieda? This is her night out—" "She was in bed with a toothache, but I routed her out. Well, I'll put the men off till to-morrow, but better make up your mind to see them then." He left the room and when Mrs. Balfame was alone with her sister-in-law, whom she had never admitted to the sacred inner circle, but
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