The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-06
CHAPTER VIII.

bitter enemy. as /. too late, had dis
covered.
He wished you to marry him?" sug-
gested the Coroner.
She did not answer, but burst into a
fit Of hysterical tears, and few mo-
ments later was led out of the court.
Il think, gentlemen" the Coroner
observed, turning to the jury, mo end
can be obtained in pursuing this very
painful inquiry further. You have
heard the evidence. and, while on the
one hand the exact cause Of death has
not been established, on the other we
have Miss Laing declaring that the un-
fortunate gentleman was murdered.
The evidence certainly does point to
such conclusion, and there are two
courses that may be pursued-either to
adjourn the inquiry, or to return an
open verdict and leave the calculation
OF the mystery in the hands OF the po-
lice"
The jury, after consulting among
themselves, retired, but only for five
minutes, returning into court and re-
turning an open verdict of Found
dead"
Then, as the Coroner thanked the
twelve tradesmen for their attendance,
l rose and crossed to Beck, afterward
walking with him to the Nook.
What do you think Of Elias stGte-
ment?" Beck asked as we were cross
Ing Stains Bridge, on our way to
Mrs. Laing's.
Il can't understand It," 1 replied,
Neither can l." he said "Girla Of
her excitable temperament are apt to
make statements Of that character ut
terly without foundation. No doubt
Dudley was her Intimate friend, and
finding him dead, her romantic mind
at once conjured up visions Of muir
der"
argument" I Admitted, with touch
of sorrow at thu remembrance that
Ogle had aspired to her hand.
II never spoke 70 you on the subject,
for fear OF mailing mischief, but l
have many times been amazed at your
blindness when dudley and Ella Used
to flirt openly, before your very eyes, y
he observed, glarcing at me.
"Ah you are right" l cried, angfily.
Il foolishly trusted him, believing i'm
plicitly in his honor and in Elias
purity"
"Of the latter you surely have no
cause for suspicion" he exclaimed
quickly.
81 am not so CERTAIN" replied with
bitterness. The more deeply l at
tempt to probe this mystery the more
sorrow l heap upon myself. l was
happy in the belief that she loved no
other man except me; yet apparently
she is as tactfu; as an adventures,
and delights in "oying with mans
affections.
Every woman is fickle," my friend
remarked sympathetically. If she is
thrown into the society Of one Iuan
frequently and passes idle hours alone
with him, she either ends in loving
him or hating htm. There is little
purely platonic friendship between
men and women nowadays"
Yes, alas!" l echoed, as we entered
the carriage drive and passed the WELL
| remembered spot where / had disCov-
cred the body. There is very little
| indeed"
A quarter of an hour later I stood
| alone before the window of the bright
morning room that commanded a
beautiful view OF the brilliant sunlit
| Thames and the row Of tall, swaying
poplars and drooping, wind-whitened
| willows on the opposite shore. vas
| awaiting Ella, who had, her maid TOLD
| me, gone to her room.
Presently, pale. faced and trembling
She entered, and, closing the dgor
moved slowly toward me, stretching
forth her hand ia silence, her fearful
white fingers, ana found them cold as
marble.
Godfrey" she exclaimed, low and
huskily Godfrey, forgive me-
Forgive! For what reason?" l in
quired sternly, locking at her in ad-
miration, yet determined to be firm
This was, had resolved, to be our last
interview.
Because IL was foolish, and weak
and
She paused, signing deeply.
"Well?' l SAIL, cynically. What
other excuse?"
Eyes, yes" she cried, brokenly. "a
know they are mean, paltry excuses.
know l am trying to make you believe
it was not my ofsn fault, yet nd
pausing again she raised her clsar
blue eyes to mine with passionate
glance. "and yet, Godfrey, love YOU
in manner have loved no other mar
before"
you have strange way of exhi bit
ing this so-called Affection" observed
coldly. you actually encouraged tn,
advances of the man in whom l re-
posed foolish and ill-placed ccnf
dence."
For a purpose. never loved ain
never" she protested, trembling
"You had reason! A strange one
/ should think" l exclaimed angrily
Indeed at this very moment you ar,
mourning the loss Of this man"
Dudley Ogle was not your enetny
Godfrey. He was your friend" sh,
answered. with tremor in her voice
Some day I will prove this to you
cannot now. 1t Is impossible"
"Why?"
Il dare mott"
Dare not! What do you fear?"
demanded, in surprise, instantly re
leasing her hand.
THE consequences would be fata
% our love-" she gnsped. Then, after
pause, she clutehed my arm, ant
burying her beautiful face upon my
shoulder, sobbed bitterly.
Our lovei" echoed, contemptuous
ly. Notwithstanding the fierceness O.
my anger, l smooihed her dark GOLD
hair, and presently, when she grew
a trifle calmer, endeavored to discover
tha - \