Iuka reporter., 1889-08-08

eated with his eyes cast upon the floor.
Somehow l had no desire to sleep. |
Neither could | read. Miss Lulu was still
leeping soundly. / looked out Of the
window aud noticed that it ktill snow
ng. Then lay down, and Fled to read
gain, but could not help thinking and
linking of what had happened. Yes, sir;
could still hear Grandfather Dixon STIR
ring about in the library below. Soon
heard the clock strike one. Then must
have dropped into dozc, but my dreams
were bad, and / was presently awakened
by another rap on the library door.
heard some one enter, and soon knew that
they were quarreling. They did not
always speak loud enough for me to dis
tinguish the words. but recognized both
voices distinctly One was Grandfather
Dixon's, of course; the other was that of
the fine gentleman who was to have mar
ried my young lady yesterdav-the Count
de Marchmont."
She made pause, and there was long,
audible breath taken all over the room.
Two points were at length conclusively es-
tablished by the witness. The last visitor
to the library (and presumably the MUIR
derer) had made his way to it through the
house, and not by the window; and that vis-
itor was unmistakably De Marchmont, the
missing bridegroom. whether he was iden-
tical with the first visitor or not.
State what you overheard, said the cor
oner.
Il overheard but little from De March
mont, as Mr.. Dixon seemed to do most of
the talking, and my mind is greatly con-
fused over it all. Mr.. De Marchmont
seemed at first to reveal something that
greatly excited and surprised the old gen.
tleman, and then to make some demand
that angered him still further Once re-
member MIR. Dixon crying out: 'Merciful
Heaven! Can / really have harbored such
a disguised villain under my roof 2 And
then, again: What, you ungrateful hound!
Do you expect me to accede to such de-
mand, after this unmasking of yourself?
And there was q good deal more in that
strain that can't recall. Mr.. De March,
mont would only say now and then, loud
enough for me to hear: oh, yes you will. ;
Don't be excited; you've got to do just as
| tell you This, of course, seemed to
anger the old gentleman so much the more.
But by and by they both quieted down,
and could only hear the murmur of their
voices, talking together in low tone.
Then / heard Grandfather Dixon sink down
in his easy chair, with a sort of sigh that
was very peculiar with him. This was fol-
lowed by De Marchmonts voice. as though
he was yawning and stretching himself
through sort of laugh, preparatory to his
quitting the room. Then, after a short
silence, heard Mr.. Dixon suddenly ex-
claim, 'Ha! Ohr in frightened voice.
This was followed by a sort of twisting
squeak of his easy chair. Then there was
a dead silence.
Another breath, longer and more audible
than before, was taken all over the room.
We all felt the terrible import of the wit
ness last words; which were, SO to speak,
a sort of blind, listening portraiture of the
very murder itself.
How did all this that you overheard i'm
press you at the timer" was the next ques-
ton.
Il can't exactly tell. I felt vaguely
frightened at something, but had no sus-
picion of what had really taken place. /
felt nightmarish."
The witness shuddered, and seemed
greatly distressed at her recollections at
this point.
"All was silent afterward; you heard no
voice again?"
No, sir; only the opening of the library
window little while later"
"Ah, the window? What them" $50
II then crept to Miss Lulu's window and
looked out. 1t is directly over the library
window. l saw man jump out of the
library window, and go across the lawn to-
ward the river. 1t was showing fast
could only make out the outlines of his
form. He disappeared in the direction Of
the river. then blew out the night lamp,
SO that wouldn't be perceived on the
watch, and stayed there to see him come
back, as felt sure he would do. 1t was near
ly twenty minutes before he returned again
| kIn,, 1xol II <x{H A1n ,ko
were shining, but even then couldn't see
more than his mere outline. He came in
through the window again, and closed it
after him. Just then heard the clock in
the dining room strike two. l felt SO faint
and mystified with it all that lay down on
the lounge, and was soon overcome with
sleep. The next thing l knew was in the
morning, when I heard Mrs. Miggles
screaming in the library. Then / ran
down. Oh, gentlemen, don't question me
any more; that is all know"
She hid her face in her hands, and broke
| down, sobbing.
Il will ask you but little more, said the
coroner, kindly, when she had recovered
herself. You did not, then, receive an i'm
preston that any crime had been COM
mitted?"
"Oh, no. sir! didn't know what to
think. I only thought it SO strange that
Mr.. De Marchmont should be in the house,
after his absence from the wedding that
was to have been yesterday. Then / felt
giddy and faint"
THAT will do"
"Wait!" exclaimed Doc Dixon, quickly
rising, and motioning the witness to re-
| main seated Mr.. Coroner, may ask a
| question or two?"
The coroner signifed his assent.
Il object!" exclaimed Jocelyn, springing
up; whereupon the housekeeper also arose,
brushing the parrot-cage MS she did SO, and
seized his arm warningly. 81 was snapped
short when interp0sed question, and
claim as many rights here as anyone else y
Before put my question" continued
| young Dixon, not needing him, ] wish to
| declare that there is no proof whatever of
the preposterous assumption that the first
visitor to the library, the unknown tramp,
and the last visitor, Count do Marchmont,
were one and the same person.
1T is proven by witness; objectl OBJ
iect!' reiterated Jocelyn harshly.
Witness, look at me, not at that man.
continued Doc, imperturbably. Are you
| willing to solemnly swear that the sound
of De Marchmont's voice bore any resem-
blance to that of the tramp, as you recol-
lect hearing them both?'
But the witness was under the mysterious
spell that had possessed her before. She