The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-25
lcopyrIshI 1897, by the Author.l

pItbulIptlNc 5VlutHCd VI ueE BuiibS uuu
in many papers the fact was commented
upon in manner which left no doubt
whatever of the writer's opinion.
A hue. and cry was started all over
the country, and portraits Of Lola in
all degrees Of unresemblance appeared
in all manner Of daily and weekly pa
pers, while pen portraits of the most
conflicting kinds abOuiided everywhere.
tIf Lady. Walcote knows nothing Of
this most puzzling mystery, why does
she not come forward and explain her
conduct" asked che writer. 1T is not
we, who but point out the facts, who
do her injustice, but she herself in not
making public an explanation, sug-
gested another. "The law of this coun-
try very rightly holds all persons inno-
cent until they have been proved guilty,
and it is far from our intention, in
simulated third, TO attempt to reverse
that proper attitude in the present case,
but Lady Walcote and those friends
who are advising her in this critical
time must see that she and they are ac-
cepting very heavy responsibility in
not clearing up exactly her relation to
this most ;nscrutable affair"
These were only some Of the COM
ments, while the reports of every Incl.
dent that could be got hold Of were
gre,dily sought for and used, and at the
inquest small regiment Of reporters
appeared.
But when all was said and done and
questioned there was nothing came out
that really damaged Lola except the one
fact that she had gone away under cir.
cumstances which 10 one could under
stand.
In the smaller circle Of those who
knew the facts great curiosity and COM
ment were aroused by the dagger and
the bracelet. 1t was the latter which
made the mystery complete, and In
spector Bordorham himself was most
baffled by this. As he said over and
over again, he himself had found the
bracelet. Not soul knew Of its having
been found until he got to Waleote
manor ard took it out of his poe et
and therefore he was most emphatic
that the only course was to accept the
position and look for the person who
had done the deed among those who
could have access to Leycester Court.
For Sir Jatfray himself the time was
one Of the most distressing trouble, and
his disappointment when Lola was not
found and did not of her own free will
return to the manor was keen and poign-
ant.
II am afraid she is dead, Beryl," he
said on the third day after the discov-
cry of the murder. 'tShe has made
away with herself in her sorrow and
madness"
"There is nothing to suggest that,
nothing more than there was two days
ago." replied Beryl thinking secretly
that it could perhaps be the best end
ing for them all.
eyes, there is the fact that she has
not come back" he answered. IF,
which heaven forbid, she did this deed
in her madress and any knowledge
came to her afterward of what she had
done, she would do one of two things
either come back at once and own the
full truth or lay violent hands OH her
own life know her."
"Therc is time for her to como back
yet. Suppose, as you say, that she did
this in her delirium. She may yet DO
wandering somewhere in the same state
and may know nothing Of what has
happened.
"The whole country is ringing with
news of the mans death. She could not
fail to hear of it il she were alive. I
tell you she is dead, and if her end were
peaceful it is best So He sigheo heav.
lily. ut is an awful thing that l should
ever have to say that about her, but
would rather see her dead than mad,
and she must be Que or the other, or
VIC are all out of our senses.
Beryl did not answer this at once,
but sat thinking out the problem as it
showed in the light Of her own kuowl-
edge.
eve may all be out of our senses in
that respect, Jaffray. We may BIO judg-
ing her without cause.
II would to God that could thin:
sol' he exclaimed, with fierce energy.
II would give my life to feel sure of it,
but l can't Beryl, can't. have tried
to piece the things together that you
and know and to find in them any
thing but the proofs of her deed, and /
can't. Look at the things as l will
they lead me nowhere but to one con-
olusion. There is not man in England
who If he knew what we know would
not think what we think. don't un-
derstand the thing. can't, except on
the one supposition that she is mad,
and it breaks my heart to think that.
He paused, but Beryl did not break
the silence.
1.-THE thing is all 30 horribly COM
plete! I have talked it over and over
with Clifford, trying to get from him
that may point in another
but all his ingenuity cannot
offer a hint that the evidence doesn't
utterly smash. 1t is perfectly clear that
she left the manor house before this
man was killed. 1t is quite as certain
that he wrote to her the letter telling
her to meet him. 1t is clear again that
she got the letter, and that she did 20
to see him, and just as clear that she
was there and dropped that bracelet in
the struggle with him and used that
dagger, and then on the top of all
comes this absolutely inexplicable flight.
It would all be different If only she
were here. If she would come here and
lay her hand in mine and tell me she
knew nothing Of all this would be.
lieve her and hold ont for her innocence
against the whole world, mad Or sane.
But she doesn't come. And yet l hate
and loathe myself for harboring the
thought that, mad or sane, she could
sven think Of taking this mans life
And the strain of it all is enough to |
Kill one.
Beryl thought il best to let him speak |
freely and without interruption.
"There is only the one thing that I
nave often mentioned to you that cant
there was any sort Of
understanding between Lola and that
orute, I have Thought sometimeg-iu