The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-04-15

taking up his hat, left-an example
Beck and / soon afterward followed,
passing the night at the Angel Hotel.
Throughout the dark, breathless
hours sleep came not to my eyes, SO
full was my mind of the tragic discov-
cry. As l lay awake hour after hour
listening to the Ginning bells and
watching the dawn struggling in be-
tween the curtains, l reflected deeply
upon the strange events of that even
ing, and the more l pondered the more
mysterious appeared the circumstan-
ces. Foremost in my mind was the
strange, inviolable secret that l felt
convinced existed between Ella and
Beck Although strenuously denied by
her, she had nevertheless admitted her
unworthiness of my love. Yet | ador-
ed her. No woman had ever stirred
my soul as she had; no woman had so
completely held me under her spell. l
remembered how she had seemed a
trifle wan and distressed; yet that look
enhanced rather than detracted from
her refined beauty.
Her steady refusal to enlighten me
regarding the subject of her earnest
conversation with Beck when | had
watched them in the garden, and
the significant glances she had ex-
changed with him across the dinner
table. had aroused within me sus-
picion that, Notwithstanding her de-
claration, she loved Beck. Again, the
tone of the letter was, now saw dis
tinctly, such as woman would write
If she desired to break off her engage
ment. Yet had l not right to de-
mand a full explanation of her extra
ordinary statement; had | not right
to seek the truth of her relations with
this loud-spoken parvenu? Neverthe.
less, as I pondered, felt half inclined
to believe that my estimate of BecF
was a distorted one, for his genuine
regret at the death of Dudley and his
sympathy for Mrs. Laing were | felt as
| sured, deep and heartfelt. When at las
I carefully analysed my feelings TOWARD
him | was bound to admit within my
self that Jealousy was now the onl!
cause of my bitter antipathy.
Again, other incidents increased tn
mystery. Mrs. Laing's dread that ELL
should know of Dudleys death wa
yery curious, and her exclamation
and inquiries of the doctor regardin
his conjectures of poison seemed t
point to the fact that she entertaine
certain suspicious, or was aware Q
certain facts. But, after fully review
ing the tragic affair in all its phase!
I arrived at the conclusion that d.
Allenby did not anticipate for one me
ment finding poison at the post-mor
TEN.
the post-mortem we may be able t
discover something
She drew deep breath. l chance
at that moment to glance at her, an
was surprised to observe an unmistai
able look of terror fit for brief IL
slant across her haggard countenanc
1t seemed as though the doctors hoT
of determining the cause OF death ha
aroused within her sudden apprehel
sion. Dr. Allenby, however, sugges
ed in polite terms that she should leaN
the room, as he desired to examine u
body, and she reluctantly consente
exclaiming as she moved slowly out:
81 would have given worlds to ha'
avoided all this. Ones name will
bruited about in the papers; and the
will be an inquest, suppose, and
e that sort of thing. And dear Ella
Q what terrible blow it will be to her
Then, when the door had close
while stood gazing upon my intima
t friend who only an hour before hi
S been so full of life's enjoyment, buo
t ant spirits and bonhomie, surprised
: Mrs. Laing's extraordinary manner, I
d f1ecting upon her sudden strange d
: meanor, the doctor, assisted by Bee
began a minute and careful examin
v ton. In quarter of an hour they h
e satisfied themselves that no violen
: had been used, and just as they co
n Guided the police, who had been sc
# for, arrived. The local sub-divisi
n inspector, tall, red-faced and inclfn
I to obesity, plain-clothes constai
and a sergeant in uniform, who entt
Re ed the drawing room, were at once
IS formed of the mysterious circumsts
70 ces in which the body had been disco
n cred. The inspector scrubbed so
l. brief notes, took the names and {
y dresses of all Of us, remarking with
TO likeness that we should be compel
te to attend the inquest.
Afterward the body was removed
10 a billiard room, and the plain clotl
lg constable left in charge of it, VIII
h with Beck and DR.. Allenby / entel
er the dining room where Mrs. Lai
&c pale, agitated and nervous, was Gag
ly awaiting us. The arrival of the
n lice in her house had apparently fiji
er her with dread, for almost the e
n question she asked me was:
p Have they gone? Have they gon
e. "They have left one officer on d
to prevent the body being touche
IS. l answered.
Ell Then the police are absolutely
x possession of my housed Will t
- search it," she inquired, hoarsely.
search it, Certainly notl" l
Us swered. "of course, if foul play W
gu suspected they might. Otherwise {
have no power without search "
~.