Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-12-30

l ever met with IN all my life before.
But 10 go on. OF course Stella is fright
ened 70 death by Marion's reference TO
the grave, and refrained from telling
anybody where she had seen her. until
you got Il out Of her"
so you might know by the way
things have gone on. She was scared
enough that night, you may be sure. but
the next day when the news came OF the
murder you can imagine the effect
There seems 20 have been a great scene
between the sisters. Stella came out
hcrTihed at Marion cslmness. Marion
would tell her absolutely nothing ex-
cept such enigmatical sentences "a
these; 4 am not responsible The az
iair IS out Of my hands Justice will
oYertake the guilty. let me alone IL you
betray me Z shall kill myself You sure
ly do not believe me capable Tor any
cause OF killing a man who has taken
the place Of my own father. 1 loved
Father North, as we'll as you did.
could not have harmed him il had hated
him all OF which was scarcely calcu-
lated TO appease Stella's agony Of appre-
hension. IL was not however. uu the
young girl discovered that her sister
was sleeping with her fathers pistol
under her pillow that she quite lost her
head, and believed that Marion was
really guilty"
What! The weapon that killed Paul
North asked The detective. almost
helpless with amazement
Presumably. since She must have
brought 10 with her from the Marlboro
street house the night OF the murder. and
one of its barrels had been recently dis
charged"
What a nerve that woman hast"
murmured tho detective. And how in
the world did Stella make the discov-
ery?"
"ln tell you. Lamm. IL was In the
middle OF the night on Saturday. The
body OF the murdered man had been
brought home, and il lay in the hall be-
low stairs ready for the funeral. Eou
can imagine the effect on this Young
girl, who is Of an afIcctiouate dfsposi-
ton, and whose life up TO this time had
been one merry smile. Everything goes
% show that she was the netted darling
OF her father. OF course. however fond
and proud anybody might have been of
Marion, she was scarcely tho person To
De made a pet OF. And with this awful
cloud OF horror and suspicion weighing
upon her Stella could not sleep. The
ghost OF the poisoned king OF Denmark
was no more real 20 Hamlet than was
the spirit OF her father. threatening with
awful finger the perpetrators OF his
woeful murder. 20 this young girl Her
fears Tor Marion under the weighto Of the
night became absolutely appalling.
Though not what is called a relirious
girl, Stella could no longer trust 20 any
earthly aid. She resolved TO go and pray
by Marion's bedside"
Natural enough in this lS-year-old
sir" commented the detective.
1T was the last effort. you understand.
10 obtain contrition from the woman
who had been lmpervious Go the most
piteous appeals, the most solemn
entreaties The poor girl went and
found her sisters door unlocked
she approached the bedside. IL seems
that Marion was asleep. but her sleep
was light; her dreams perhaps troubled.
for she sprang up suddenly with an aw-
ful cry and grasped Stella by the shout
ders demanding in a tone that nearly
frightened her sister out OF her senses.
What do you want? What do YOU
want?' She shook her so that Stella
made a frantic effort 70 get away. In
the struggle the pillow was dragged from
the bed and something beneath 10 fell
with a crash. Marion by this time awoke
TO a realization Of her surroundings. She
sprang out OF bed With q haste that cor
not escape Stellas observation. al
picked up the something which had fal-
len. What is it?' demands the startled
Stella. Nothing replies Marion.
What is the matter. dear2' Go back
20 your bed and will come 20 you But
no. Affairs had reached a climax now
where suspicion must either be allayed
or confirmed Marion was confused and
dismayed by the sudden transformation
in her sister. and before she could regain
control OF herself the hand OF the young
er girl came in contact with the cold
Tteel. 1t is fathers pistol whispered
Stella. in what state OF mind you may
Imagine. Don't deny il, Marion: you
have been sleeping with il under your
pillow. 4 won't deny it,, said Marion.
considerably disturbed. But why Will
you insanely Insist upon knowing things
which IL would be better for your peace
or mind 20 remain ignorant Off"
And all this time il was quite dark
IN the room. Lamm asked.
Absolutely. Stella's conclusion that
Marion held her fathers pistol was one
Of those intuitiye leaps at correct con-
illusions that are peculiar TO women.
And thereupOn. almost crazy with ter
TOR, Stella cries out: You killed him.
Marion. II wcs your own hand OF
course, the moment the words were out
or her lips she was penitent for having
uttered them. Stella. says Marion.
remblingly, your mad suspicious are
lRdiscreeL DO you suppose / could sleep
In this house where the man who has
siSen me all that I possess except life
Is lying dead, If the guilt OF his death
were al my door? And are you the same
girl who used 10 cuddle down in my arms
In the old days and tell ne that you loved