Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-01-01

/
would not have been this trouble. l!
the police arrest me, they can just dc
70. and III leave it to you to see me
through. "
IL hope we'll learn the truth from
Rose today"
possible, but not probable. She'll
lie like the devil. whose daughter SHE
Is. ="
I'm not too sure Of that II she is
guiltless, she'll be only too anxious toc
save her own neck Why should she
risk her liberty for the sake Of this man
Strcnt? Who il he:'
Il haven't the least idea "
Then we'll make Rose tell today OF
have her arrested
There is not sufficient evidence
against her." objected Francis.
"Yes ,hereiS I'll take the risk Of all
that. Before Rose Gernon leaves this
room she has TO confess the truth. It's
your only chance Of safety. "
But you don't believe killed Fe-
lxs'
Il don't. but the police may. You
forget how highly suspicious all your
actions have been. Rose knows you
have been passing rs your brother and
will be sure To make capital out of IT, "
You'll see me through, Denhamf'
be said. taking my hand
"You can be sure Of that, )" i answer
ed. shaking il heartily. II won't rest
till you are safe and the murderer Of
your brother is in Jail.
''Who killed him. do You Think
II don't know, but Rose does. and
Wen make her tell. "
We discussed the matter extensively,
but neither of Us could come to any
conclusion. When the clock struck
poon, Rose Gernon, true TO her appoint
ment, walked into the room. Wi,hou,
waiting for an invitation she sa, down
in chair and scowled at me.
"Tha, man of yours is outside, she
said savagcly. Hes been following
me about everywhere and watching my
house all night Perhaps you'll ask
him 10 90 AWAY"
That depends on the result Of this
conversation. You're not out Of dan
ger yet, Miss. Gernon-"
Il am not aware that / was ever in
danger. Mr. Denham. Are you going
TO accuse me of killing Felix
II nigh, even do that unle1s you tell
the truth.
"Ohr' said she with q smear, is
that your game. sir? Then suppose do
tell the truth and say you killed Felixi"
"You 10 quite capable Of doing so,
but no one would believe 80 wild tale.
had no reason 10 kill Felix Briar-
field :"
Then what motive had l for SO do
ing;''
That's best known 20 yourself"
answered tar;ly. weary Of all this fonc-
ing.
1T is waste Of time talking like
this" interrupted Francis. You mnst
be aware, Miss Gernon, that You stand
in very dangerous position.
Not more SO than you do yourself, Z"
she replied. with superb insolerce.
Pardon me, think otherwise. BY
your own confession you went down To
the Fen inn To assist lay brother IN get
ting me out of the way. You said tha:
last night before two witnesses-Miss
Bellin and Mr.. Denham.
II talked ut random, she muttered.
Il did not intend that any crime should
be committed
Perhaps not Nevertheless my broth.
er is dead, and you know how he died. "
Il know the cause Of his death. but
do not know who killed him"
If you know one thing. You must
know the other.
Il do moi. When Felix arrived, he
showed Strent and an arrowhead
which he said was poisoned
is this the arrowhead" l asked,
producing it ont of thick piece of pa
per.
EYES. Where did you get it,"
Il found il in the ashes Of the fire.
place, where you threw il. F"
That is not true. said Miss Gernon
angrily. II did not throw it into the
fireplace. I never even had it in my
hand. The idea that it was poisoned
frightened me.
"Pray go ON with your story, Miss
Gernon.
Il see you don't believe me, !" she
flashed out defiantly, ''but / am telling
exactly what took place. Felix said he
was going to kill his brother with the
poisoned arrowhead. told him would
have nome of that sort of thing; that
only consented to play the part Of a
waiting maid in order to deceive his
brother into meeting. ] said Francis
could marry Miss Bellin, and he was
to marry me-.
'And after that?"
HE jeered and said he intended to
marry Miss Bellin. Then grew angry
and struck him."
She was in real earnest, for her mouth
was set, and her hands We're clinched,
not n pretty sight by any means. re-
membered Merrick's idea and conceived
that it might be possible the woman
before me had killed the man who flout-
ed her-not Intentionally, but in fit
Of blind rage.
"You struck him with the arrow
head:" l limited.
"No, didn't. He had laid that
down ON the table. / struck him with
open palm and said if he killed his
brother would denounce him to the
authorities as murderer. Then he
would 90 to the scaffold instead Of the
altar with Miss Bellin.
"What did he say?"
"Nothing at first. Then ] saw look
pass between him and Strent and
they seemed to understand one anoth-
er. Felix said he would return to Marsh.
minister and let his brother marry Miss
Bellin. / did not then know he had
been passing himself OF as you. she
added. turning to Francis IF ] had,
would have guessed that he was ~
ing. As it was, / thought he spoke the
truth and kissed him. Then went te
bed. "
"And afterwardr' said Francis. see
ing she paused -,
"Well, I never saw Felix again TIL
be was dead I"