Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-02-03

dows jrapcd with white muslin and the
breakfast table spread with snow-whitc
damasl. laden With Sevres china, and
adorned with bouquet of lilies. Ev-
erything about the room was cool, airy,
elegant and inviting.
Miss Hit. entering the apartment, OK
pressed herself satisfied with the ar
ransement. But as the first freshness
of the morning passed away, the sun
went round to the south windows. the
dewcxhaled from the flowers. and the
songs of the birds were hushed and
still the young couple did not make
their appearance. Miss Hit grew i'm
patient.
1.-The breakfast will not be fit to cat.
that is all.'' said the old lady, in an ir-
ritated ton OF voice. us she walked up
and down the hall for 4 half-hour long
cr.
At length, calling to a passing SER
want. she said, impaticntly:
MANDY! just step up stairs and no.
tice il you see Il door open, or any signs
of life up there
Mandy tripped softly up stairs and
soon reformed, saying:
Colonel Greville is in his dressing
room. and the door is wide open. and
he must be nearly ready to como down.
for he iSsESt brushing of his hair. and
his soldier servant is holding of his
coat. ready for him to put it on: and
young missus's door is ajar: but | do.'t
hear her stirring
"Then tell Ma'amSclle Fitine to carry
up hot water to her room,' said Miss
Hit
Mandy went down tC the servants
sitting room with the order: but Ma am
Scllc declared that she dared not in
trude into her mistress chamber until
she heard her ring: that it was against
the rule. And Mandy came back with
the reply to Miss Hit.
"She is French fool. aud that is the
worst of all fools. Take the water up
yourself. Mandy" said the lady.
Mandy obeyed the order. and was
soon seen passing softly up the stairs
With Il large silver pitcher in her hands.
But in less than two minutes after
ward Il succession of ear->plittinG
ShriekS were heard. and Mandy rushed
down the stairs. every feature OF her
face distorted with horror.
what is the matter: What on earth
ails the girl:' exclaimed Miss Hit.
But instead of answering. Mandy
seized the old lady round the waist. hid
her face for 4 moment against her fat
bosom. and uttered shrek after shrek.
Are YOU frantic. girl: Stop scream
ing for goodness sake, and say plainly
what ais YOU
But NIandys shrieks We're only
changed to hystcrioal gasps, and she re-
piled not word.
Have you broken anything costly:
If so. tell me at once. You'll not be
hung for it. you know. anyhow:
But the girl was really quite incapa-
bic of answering. and with few more
choking gasps she sank upon the floor
go up stairs and see what has &C.
Cured. And YOU. Mandy. come ont Of
this in one minute. You know l won't
allow Mysteries" said Mss Hit. angriiy.
In obedience to the housekeeper's
command, and in curiosity to see what
costly vase OF looking glass was shiv-
cred Scphy flew up stairs. but present
ly rushed screaming down again. and
fed through the open hall door out OF
the house.
"They are both gone frantic tcgetl.
err" cried Miss Hit. in CONSERVATION:
llltil, St'tlliS tllt ltllNll w
been drawn thither by the piercing
screams, standing in the hall. she add
ed
"Ma'amselle Fifnc. if that is your
name. Colonel Grevlle has been in his
dressing loom for the last hour. Go ut
once to your lady's chamber and see
What has happened there
The French maid either did not dare
to disobey this peremptory command.
or else she might have been moved by
curiosity to know the cause of the out
cry. or both motives might have actu-
ated her at once. for at any rate, she
also fastened. up the stairs; but soon
rushed down. her face blanched with
horror.
"NOw. Ma'amsellc, no screams nor
Mysteries. if you please. l won't have
them! Tell me at Once-is it the Nene-
tian mirror or the Etruscan vase
MADAME il est mort!w screamed the
girl.
"What:' echoed Miss Hit. in surprise.
at is death! lit is m-u-r-d-e-r!"'
answered the French woman, throwing
up her arms and prolonging the last
word to a perfect howl Of terror.
At the same instant, also, Mandy
found cr voice. and began to Shrek:
"Oh, my missus. my poor young mis-
sus. AS cbber l should lib to see dc
day. My poor murdered young mis-
suS"
But no one attended to her. With
one impulse Of horror and alright all
rushed up stairs and into the brides
chamber!
And there, in that fatal room. 4
scene met the eyes that battles all dc.
scription-+a scene calculated to turn
each gaZer into stone! Yes, the cham
Der bore the dreadful signs Of murder
and Of that awful struggle for life thai
must have preceded the murder. The
bed had not been occupied. 1t was I'm
disturbed, neat and smooth, as wher
it's draperies had received the finishing
touches of Mandy's neat fingers. Bu
every piece of furniture bore the marks
of q violent contest, as though the vic
tim, flying through that circumscribe(
space for dear life, had caught at eac]
article in turn to make it a shield or :
weapon. Everything WAS torn, defAc"'
and blo0d-staincd! The dressing table
had been wrenchctl from it's place ant
its lace valance. half dragged off, bore
the marks of CORY fingers. The easy
chair had been thrown down. ana on IL