The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-17

angrily. has dared to make love to me.
complained to Mrs Tregarth. and she
has dismissed him. He goes away next
week"
We were all in the library one warm
evening and the windows we're open.
Arthur and Maud were talking in a
corner Mrs. Tregarth dozed in an arm
chair and ] was knitting. Mr.. Liffey
wandered about. opening first one book
and then another. Suddenly, with a
whirT OF wings. a white pigeon appear
ed in the room. Where it came from
no one noticed. But il lowered for \
moment over Mrs. Tregarth Cwho woke
up ut the sound) and then flew through
the open window.
We all stared at one another.
1t means death said Liffey in an
awed voice
Nonsense cried Arthur vigorously
the window was open and II flew in.
| Don't look so alarmed. mother"
Mrs. Tresarth was deadly white. The
omen had impressed even her material
mind. The old go first" she said in
low tones. "You will lose me. Arthur.
and soon. IL appeared when your
father died" she said, and Mr.. Lffey
will tell you that IL has often appeared
before a death"
We All went 20 pea LIaL nlBtll lttlitlS
uncomfortable, but Arthur insisted on
laughing at the omen. However. ii APP
| peared to be true one. for Mrs. Ire
garths body was found in the river
next morning She was still dressed IN
the costume she had worn at dinner.
! Mr. Liffey appeared so stricken with
grief that Arthur asked tim 10 remain
on as librarian. When Mrs. Tregarth
was buried Arthur and Maud arranged
/ to marry in six months and go for a
/ tour round the world. Meanwhile. the
house was to be left I'm charge Of Mr..
/ Lifey l. of course, would be DIS
| charged.
Some few days later Mr. Lifrey told
Maud that I was IA love with Arthur
j This. of course, was quite false, as
I Maud understood when we discussed
the subject Matters, however. beca-.s,
so unpleasant that | gave notice.
/ I had retired to bed one night, but
/ having left my book in the library
came down for 1t. At the door ] hearC
Mr.. Liffey praying. lie was on his knees
before an armchair weeping and shaldns
/ with Denitence. The burden of his
PRAYER was that she" q guessed h
meant mel might never learn the truth
"And Eliza is better dead than living
Thou knowcst. o Lord" he finished.
] II flashed across me that lAney haS
in some way brought about the death o
! Mrs Tregarth. whose name was Eliza
/ was so startled that / pushed open tn
! door. Liffey looked up and saw me
Then I fed. The next day he was quite
his old self and made no reference t
| my presence at the door OF the librar,
/ on the previous night, and | could not
\ of course, see my way TO accuse him.
II am driving with Arthur to Tin
| tagel," said Maud to me that day W.
| shall be back at o'clock. VIII you
{ Gomez"
NO. thank you" ] answered, seeing
how cold was the invitation. 1 nav
| letters TO write and my boxes to pack.
| At 1 o'clock / went 10 have luncheon
with Mr. Liffey, and we were quit
friendly. Incidentally he referred TO tn
haunted room. / expressed a desire Z
see it.
Il can show II to YOU" said Mr.. if
fey, and we went up the stairs together
We stopped at the red door. When w
! entered the room Mr.. Liffey shut tn
door. and. standing with his back TO II
1 he began to talk in slow cruel way.
! Last night you overheard me- n
| said
! Yes. ! did" was the rash admission
and am sure that you killed MIS-. IRE
/ garth"