Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-17

your age know that you are not"- "Leave my age alone" cried tt other sharply.
 T won't talk to you at all," sai
 Sylvia, rising.
 "Sit down and listen. You sha
 hear me. I am not going to let m
 mother suffer for a deed she neve
 committed, nor am I going to let yo
 have the money"
 "It's mine."
 "It is not, and you shall not get it.
 "Paul-Mr. Beecot will assert m.
 rights"
 twill he indeed?' said the other
 with a glance at the clock. "We'll SC,
 about that. There's no time to bt
 lost. have much to say"-
 Nothing that can interest me-"
 "Oh, yes. think you will find oul
 conversation very interesting I am
 going to be open with you, for what
 l tell you will never be told by you
 to any living soul"
 If I see fit it shall," cried Sylvia in rage. How dare you dictate to me ??
 Because I am driven into corner
 wish to save my mother. How it is
 to be done don't know. And wish to stop you getting the five thousand a year. I know how that is to be done.'
 Leave the Eoomw 'When I please, not before. You listen to me. I'm going to tell you about the murder
 "Oh," said Sylvia, turning pale, what do you mean?"
 "Listen,'' said the otaer, with a haunting laugh. You'll be white enough before I've done with you. Do you see this?" and she laid her finger on her lips. Do you see this scar? |? Krill did that" Sylvia noticed that she did not speak of Krill as her ia. ther this time. "He pinned my lips together when I was a child with that opal serpent"
 q know" replied Sylvia, shudder- ing. Ut was cruel. I heard about 1t from the detective and''-
 T don't wish for your sympathy. l was girl of fifteen when that was done, and I will carry the scar to my grave. Child as I was then, I vowed revenge"-
 "On your father" said Sylvia con temptuously.
 ''Krill is not my father" said Maud, changing front all at once. "He is yours, but not mine. My father is Captain Jessop. I have known this for years. Captain Jessop told me I was his daughter. My mother thought that my father was drowned at sea and so married Krill, who was trav- eler in jewelry. He and my mother rented the Red Pig at Christchurch, and for years they led an unhappy life.'
 "Oh," gasped Sylvia, you confess! I'll tell Paul."
 You'll tell no one," retorted the oth- CT woman sharply. DO you think I would speak so openly in order that you might tell all the world with your gabbling tongue? Yes, and I'll speak more openly still before leave. Lady Rachel Sandal did not commit suicide, as my mother said. She was stran- gled, and by me-"
 Sylvia clapped her hands to her face with scream. By you?"
 Yes. She had a beautiful brooch, wanted it. I was put to bed by my mother and kept thinking of the brooch. My mother was down the stairs attending to your drunken father. l stole to Lady Rachers room and found her asleep. I tried to take the brooch from her breast She woke and caught my hand. But I tore away the brooch and before Lady Rachel could scream twisted the silk handkerchief she wore, which was already around her throat, tighter. I am strong-I al- ways was strong, even as a girl of if | teen. She was weak from exhaustion, so she soon died. My mother came into l the room and saw what I had done. | She was terrified and made me go back | to bed. Then she tied Lady Rachel | by the silk handkerchief to the bedpost, | so that 1t might be thought she had | suicide. My mother then | came back to me and took the brooch, .elling me 1 might be hanged if 1t was i found on me. was afraid, being only girl, and gave up the brooch. Then Captain Jessop raised the alarm. ] md my mother went downstairs, and | ny mother dropped the brooch on the ioor. so that 1t might be supposed Lady Rachel had lost it there. Captain Jes- 'op ran out. I wanted to give the Harm and tell the neighbors that Krill lad done it. for knew then he was lot my father, and I saw, moreover, low unhappy he made my mother. He 'aught me-" said Maud. with a fierce ook, "and bound handkerchief across ny mouth. I got free and screamed. Then he bound me hand and foot and 'inned my lips together with the brooch which he picked of the floor My mother fought for me, but he knocked Ter down. Then he fled, and after a ong time Jessop came in. He re- moved the brooch from my mouth and inbound me. I was put to bed, and essOp revived my mother. Then came he inquest, and it was thought that .ady Rachel had committed suicide. 'ut she did not" cried Maud cxultant- ' and with a cruel light in her eyes. I killed her-r'-
 "Oh," moaned Sylvia, backing against be wall with widely open eyes. Bah. you kitten.' sneered Nsud con- ''I have not half done yet! ou have yet to hear how I killed