Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-08

re turned aside 70 arrange WIN
the groom concerning the care Of the
horse, as they would he detained
some time in the village. Then the
two men approached Mrs. Eastham's
residence.
That good person, motherly old
lady OF over sixty, was not only sur
prised but delighted by the advent OF
David Hume.
my dear boy" she cried. advance
ing to meet him with outstretched
hands when he entered the morning
room. What fortunate wind has
blown you here?"
II can hardly tell you, auntie." he
said--both Helen and he adopted the
pleasing fiction of relationship that
did not exist--"you must ask Mr..
! Brett"
Thus appealed to, the barrister set
J forth, in few explicit words, the OBJ
! ject OF their visit.
II hope and believe you will sue
ceed." said Mrs. Eastman impul-
sively. Providence has guided your
steps here at this hour. You cannot
imagine how miserable that man
Capella makes me"
WHY" cried Hume, darting
! look of surprise at Brett.
Because he is simply Fostering
Nellie with his attentions. There!
I must speak plainly. He has gone to
extremes that can no longer be mis-
Interpreted. In our small community.
Mr.. Brett" she explained. Though
we dearly love little gossip, we are
slow to believe that a man married
to such charming II somewhat I'M
conventional woman as Margaret
Hume Frazer cannot train my
tongue TO call her Mrs. Capella-
would deliberately neglect his wife
and dare to demonstrate His unlaw-
full affection for another woman. es-
pecially such a girl as Helen Lay
ton"
How long has this been going
/ on?" inquired Brett, for Hume was
| too furious TO speak
For some months. bat il is only
fortnight ago since Helen first COM
planned of it to me promptly told
Mr.. Capella that could not receive
|
cred that Nellie came here a good
deal. and managed to call about the
same time as she did. Then he
found that she was Interested in ia
panese art, and he IS really clever in
that respect
Clever" interrupted the barris-
ter. do you mean that he under
stands lacquer work. Satsuma ware.
painting or inlaying? 1s he con
noisseur or n STUDENT"
1T is all Greek to me," exclaimed
the old lady. but unquestionably
the bits OF china and queer carvings
he often brought here were very
beautiful Nellie did not Ike him
personally, but she could not deny
his knowledge and enthusiasm.
Margaret, too used 10 invite her to
the Hall. for Miss Layton has great
taste as an amateur gardener Mr..
Brett. But this friendship suddenly
ceased. Mr.. Capella became very
strange and gloomy in his manner.
: At last Nellie told me that the
wretched man had dared to utter
words Of love to her, limiting that his
wife could not live long, and that she
would come in for her fortune Now,
as my poor girl las been the most
faithful soul that ever liveS, never
for an instant doubting that some
day the cloud would lit from Davie,
you may imagine what a shock this
was to her
Mrs. Eastman" said Brett. sud-
= denly switching the conversation
away from the Italians fantasy. you
are we'll acquainted with All the cir
cumstances connected with Sir Alan
murder. Have You formed any
theory about the crime, It's motive,
or its possible author?"
God forgive me II do any man
an injury. but in these last few days
l have had my suspicious she ex-
claimed
Tell me your reasons
ut arose out Of a chance remark
by Nellie. She was discussing with
me her ineXplicabe antipathy TO Mr..
Capella, even during the time when
they were outwardly good friends.
, She said that once he showed her a
JdpdueSt sword, IloSt WOuutTlui
piece OF workmanship, with veins Of
silver and gold let into the handle
and part of the blade. To the upper
part Of the scabbard was attached a
knife--a small daEger-similar-'
, Eyes. I understand. An implement
} like that used to Kill Sir Alan Hume
, Frazer"
Exactly. Nellie at first hardly
realized its significance. Then she
hastily told Capella to take II away,
but not before she noticed that he
= seemed 10 understand the dreadful
I thing. 1t Ia fastened in its sheath by
= a hidden spring. and he knew exactly
how TO open It. Any person not &C.
' customed to such weapons would en-
deavor to pull it out by main force. .
Brett did nor press Mrs. Eastman
= to pursue her theory. 1t was plain
: that she regarded the Italian as a
8 man who might conceivably be the
, murderer Of his wife's brother. This
I was enough for feminine logic.
A Hume, too, shared the same belief
t and had not scrupled to express 1,
3 openly.
There were. It was true. reasons il
!. plenty. why Capella should have
l ! noittaI tarrihla HpoH