The little home of the Davises on Ferry st., Everett, was dark and quiet last evening. The mother of Tena was abed, sick, tired, worn out over the disappearance of her daughter and the rumors of foul play that have been floating around in connection with her and that of an Everett man.
A friend of the family stood at the entrance to the home, which is located over the store, and refused admittance to all strangers.
But few friends were allowed upstairs to see the haggard mother.
But in the store there was a dim light.
The curtains were drawn close, but repeated rappings at the door brought a smooth-faced, coatless youth to the door, which he cautiously opened.
It was the brother of the dead girl.
He admitted the reporter, who had a note from a personal friend, inside were a couple of neighbors.
“I have a note for you.” Said the reporter, drawing Charlie Davis away from the others. The brother laughed, and said, “That’s what they all say.”
We had learned a couple of hours previous from the chief of Police that the body of his sister had been found.
He displayed no signs of emotion, save the laugh as he took the note.
“I can say nothing about the case,” said young Davis. “There will be an autopsy tomorrow and then maybe I can say something.”
“Have the police arrested Trefethen?”
“Yes? And where did they find him? I knew they were looking for him. Well, I must not say anything. It may be suicide or it may be murder. I have been told not to talk.
“Mother does not know that the body has been found. We are afraid that if she was informed it would kill her. She is subject to heart disease and worn out as she is the shock would certainly end her life. She will not know tonight that the body has been recovered, but maybe with a night’s rest she will be stronger in the morning and can bear the news.
“But I am afraid that even then the shock will be too much for her.
“She is the most important witness for the government, and before she is told of the finding of the body she will make a sworn statement before a justice of the peace. Then if the shock should prove too great for her strength her testimony can be used at the trial.
“After the autopsy may be I can say more about the case. At present it will be impossible for me to express my opinion.”
With that Charles Davis went out of doors in went up stairs to look out for his mother.
Did she possess a fraction of his indifference she could have been informed of the finding of her daughter’s body last night.
As it is will the shock kill her?
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