The Dickinson press., 1894-03-03
TCHAPTER NIll-CoxrlSuEp.l

-NVVu tu Ules UVlSJ VI uSr SVttVW W0U
dismay, she had time to reflect that her
prestige was endel-that never again
could people speak with satisfaction Of
her home. A murder had been com.
mltted therea beautiful woman had
been cruelty slain In the middle of the
night Instead of being the admiration
Of the whole county her home would
be stunned as the scene Of
q most cruel tragedy.
Colonel Halle, by dint Of hard words,
brought her hack to reason.
1T Is clearly" he said. "a case OF
murder, and the laws Of the land must
bc otleye<l: no one must touch the body
or enter the rUom"
The last injunction came too late.
When the rush Of terrified women
came. they disturbed the ornaments on
the toilet table. and no one remembered
whether the window was found open or
shut; NIL that was known was that the
dead woman graspcsl the shawl In her
hands us though she had grslsned 1t In
her last struggle.
Colonel Halle forbade Its removal.
He sent away the weeping women, he
kept watch on the chamber Of the
dead. He was Il strong man and a
brave soldier hut his eyes filed with
tears as he picked up from the ground
the beautiful spray Of applc-lslossom
that had been worn on the white breast
now stflletl for cvcrmorc.
Very quickly the detectives came. and
the whole CHASTITY machinery Of the law
was set in force.
No one ever knew who first uttered
the fatal words.
''She must be guilty: her shawl was
In the dead wOman's hand"
Several guests Of her own sex, with
some Of the women-servants, sought
Miss Vane. No one could tell In the
aftertlays who was the first to enter
the room where the girl stood In her
white dressing robe, her hair falling
like veil over her, her face colorless
US that Of the dead woman's, terrible
fear in her eyes, her white lips dumb.
She leaned back against the wall, with
her hand held out. as though to ward
of some terrible blow. Who entered
first, who said first that she was guilty,
who revealed that she had said over
and over again that she would slay
Lady Fraser IL she took her lover from
her, who repeated the last words that
she had uttered in the ballroom, when
she had fastened away with the blue
and white shawl round her shoulders,
which was now clasped in the dead
woman's hand, was never known.
The storm gathered, and the young
girl stood there brcasting 1t alone Her
own sex shrunli from her with scOrn,
with horror in their eyes, with fear In
their faces. The room seemed full Of
whispers.
"She is so young" said one; could
she be so cruely'
''She looks SO fragile" remarked an.
other; ut is a wonder that she pos
sessed the strength
Hate is strong" was the answer;
land she hated her rival because she
was jealous of her"
And all the time they smoke these
words Hyacinth stood dumb and mo-
tionless, with unutterable woe in her
white face.
She never moved, until attracted by
the crowd, Alan entered tue room and
saw her, the mark for all suspicion.
She sprung to him, regardless of who
saw or heard her; she Hung herself
upon his breast; she clasped her arms
around his neck.
"Oh, Alan, save me!-help me! Send
them away; they say killed herr"
And the words were walled out In q
voice that filled some of them with
pain. ...
he gathered her to him; be kissed
the sweet, despairing face.
mo one shall soy so, my darling; I
will take you away. No one thinks you
did It; 1t is wOmen's foolish talk. You
shall 60 home; will take you. Leave
the rOOm," he said to the ladies and
women servants who had gathered
there. ':Hyacinth. get ready to return
to your father. I will stand outside
here at the door and see TINT no one
molests you" He raised one white,
cold hand to his lips and. kissed It.
my darling" he added, ''those sweet
bands would not knowingly take the
life Of anything"
dress her hands trembled 80 that one
OF the women-servants had to help her.
She was not long, however, before she
was ready; but when Alan led her
from the room, he was stopped by q
stern-faced officer Of the Inv.
That lady cannot leave the house,
sir. I have a warrant for her appre-
hension Of the murder Of Lady Fra
SER"
''You are mad" said Alan, cor, rath.
er, those who granted such q warrant
are mad"
The officer was immovable.
II am very sorry, sir; I must obey
orders. The Indy cannot leave this
house. When she does 1t viii be to 60
to diversion JAIL"
Those who saw the scene that fol-
lowed will never forget 1t. The onicer
produced the warrant for Hyacinth's
apprehensi0n-he had ridden to the
nearest magistrate for 1t; and the girl,
her fair young face a. white a. death,
chung to her lover, crying out that he
must save her Alan, mad with shame
and despair, sent for Lady Rosedene.
who came with Col. Halle.
You cannot allow such an injustice
as this" he said; 1T is too cruel! This
young lady is under your care, Lady
Rosedene. They shall trample my dead
body under foot before they touch
herr"
A voice rose from the crowd Of
women:
"she killed Lady Fraser because she
was jealous of her"
When Alan Branston heard the
words, they smote him like a sword
The arm that had gathered her closely
to him fell by his side. She raised her
despairing eyes to his face.
''Oh, my love, my l0ve!" she cried:
surely, IL all the world fails me, you
will not?"
Lady Rosedene's words bore fatal
witness against her young visitor.
Il never thought you meant It, Hya'
cinth," she said, although I believe
she drove you mad with Jealousy"
Il may have been mad" replied the
girl, calmly; Il do not remember
what l said; but take heaven to wit
ness that never injured Lady Fra.
SER"
If you are innocent" said Col.
Halle, you will be able to prove 1t at
the right time and In the right place.
He. for ono, evidently believed In the
girls guilt.
The terrible scene was shortened by
Col. Halle. Under some pretext ke
drew Alan away, and during his ab
sence Hyacinth Vane was removed un
der the charge Of the police onicer.
The details Of the terrible tragedy q,