Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-02-22

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ana David. year Older. n may Dc
stated. was evidently taken by sur
prise BY Sir Alan's attitude.
THE three young people went to
the ball. and shortly after midnight
there WAS something in the nature OF
scene. Sir Alan had been dancing
with Miss Layton. They were in the
conservatory when the young lady
burst into tears. hurried to find Da-
vid, and asked him to take her at
was acting as chaperon to the girl.
and some heated words passed be-
tween her and the two young men.
Evidence showed that Sir Alan
had bitterly upbraided Miss Layton
on account of her engagement, and
limited that David had taken an un-
fair advantage OF his (Alan's) alb
sence to win her affections. This was
absolutely untrue. 1t was denied by
the two most concerned. and by Mrs.
Eastman. who, as n privileged
friend, knew all the facts. The young
men We're in state OF white heat,
but David sensibly withdrew. and
walked to the Hall.
Mrs Eastham's house was close
to the lodge gates. and from the
lodge straight yew-shaded drive led
to the library windows. the main en-
trance being at the side Of the house.
"Ip the library footman. on duty
in the room, maintained a good Are,
and the French windows were left
nnfastened, as the young gentlemen
would probably enter the house that
way David did, in fact. do so. The
footman quilted the room, and few
minutes later the butler appeared.
He asked If ne should send some
whisky and soda.
The young man agreed, adding:
Sir Alan and have commenced
the year badly. Ferguson. We quar-
relied over q silly mistake. | have
made up my mind not to sleep on 1t,
so ! will await his arrival. Let me
know II he comes in the other way
The butler hoped that the matter
was not a serious one.
Under other circumstances II
might be-. was the answer. but as
things are. It is simply a wretched
mistake, which little reasonable
discussion will put right
THE footman brought the whisky
and soda.
Twenty minutes later he re-en'
tered the room TO attend TO the fire
Mr.. David Hume-Frazer was curled
up in an arm chair asleep. or rather
doing, for he stirred a little when
the man put some coal in the CRATE
This was at ! am exactly.
AT 10 am. the butler thought
he heard his masters voice coming
from the front of the house, and an
grily protesting something. Tnfor
tunately he could not catch a single
word. He imagined that the quar-.
rel spoken of by David had been re-
newed.
He waited two minutes. not more
but hearing no further sounds, he
walked round to the library windows
thinking that perhaps he would see
Sir Alan in the room.
To his dismay he found his younf
master stretched on the turf at thu
side of the drive. thirty feet from thu
house He rushed into the library
where David was still asleep. ant
moving uneasily - muttering, thu
man thought:
Come quickly. SIR he cried, =
fear something has happened to ST.
Alan. He is lying on the ground out
side the house. and cannot arouse
him
Then David Hume-Frazer sprani
to his feet and shouted
My God, It was not drea N
! He Is murdered
! Cnquestionably bly,"
But the barristers coldb loodet
! synopsis OF a thrilling crime proved
! 70 be too much for hts hearer'
nerves. Hume stood UP. The mai
! was a born fighter. He could take hi
! punishment, but only on his feet.
Again he cried in anguish:
! NO. 1t was no dream, but fou
murder And they blame me-
r1IA DrED ~