Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-25

table The chairs arranged in groups, though
still occupied by persons in conversation; for under
the orders of the police nothing had been moved.
patch at one corner of the table, comparatively
free from dust, they have been here,
"Whoo'
''Sibthorpe and Carfax. Sbthorpe has sat down
that corner of the table to explain his idotc
theories to Carfax. | have never told you, Norah;
but III tell YOU now that that sublime suspected
that | was not unCOnneCted with the catastrophe
that happened to my poor dad On the night OF his
murder l also was out to the gardens. went
to calm myself. | came back after about an hour
and a half and went to bed | didn't see anything
of the dad. | didn't go near the statue. spoke
to nobody. There was not likely to be anybody to
speak to. But there L recognized
him in the dark. 1t was young German who was
in charge night of the electricity works down by
me; but he had. And the Carfax person got hold
of him. The German must have overheard my
father and talking the lake earlier, before
the dad went to bed | had said nothing about my
midnight excursion into the gardens; had scarcely
thought of it. And do you know, when Sibthorpe
sprang it like that, it gave me turn. 1t
said | had been out. And | saw how easy it is for
perfectly innocent people to be suspected of the
widest things. Upon my soul, l shouldn't be sur
prised if Sibthorpe is Still! suspect1ng me
My poor Maurcel' Norah gasped. He noticed
All" he chided her gently, it's no use feeling
indignant. Sibthorpe is only doing his business.
1t is his business to suspect everyone. But he is
altogether too mysterious. Now, at the inquest no
questions were put to me as TO my Delng IN the
gardens at the time of the murder-not question.
Yet | had given explanation to Sibthorpe. |
haven't been in the humOr for giving explanations
to anyone And what more the German wasn't
called to give evidence; not word was said about
him. He has left the estate; and no one seems to
know where he has gone. How do you explain
that Have they still got their eyes me aSkanCe,
or have they noto By Heaven! sometimes it makes
feel as if l had:
4" Had what"
Maurice spoke coldly and dsdainfully, Com
rnItted the 1nurder-WlthOut knowing
Norahs answer was to sink to the ground.
Don't" she murmured Il can't stand it,
He stood over her, like philosopher full of the
WEAKNESS of wisdom He did not attempt to raise
her. My dear" he said, Il fear you have married
something excessively sardonic excessively moody,
and caprcious, and dark. l feel you don't under
stand me. l don't understand myself l have the
most extraordinary notions. l don't know one
moment what l shall do the next. /"
' You wish already that you hadn't married me.
she cried, and her voice expired in a moan.
He bent and lifted her, picking her up swiftly,
and with violent caress clutched her to himself.
Nh, no." he said, with a sudden sincerity almost
frantic. Not that! Anything but that! Child,
when | think of what my life would be if l hadn't
you,-and do think OF it sometimes,-l almost 60
mad, 1t is marrying you that will save You
mustn't mind how | talk. You mustn't worry
about anything. You must just quietly remember
all the time that you are my salvation: Don't fret
about Micent That is nothing. 1t will come
right Well go away tonight" He paused, gaz-
ing at hereyes which were close to his. . How fond
the dad was of you!" he exclaimed. " He thought
nearly much of you as | do
He loosed his grip on her and leaned an elbow on
the high window sill She stepped away from him.
His mood had changed again
" NOrah. he said a new, solemn voice, Il
didn't half appreciate the dad. l don't think any
of did He the best hearted l
knew. And when | remember how rude was to
him that night, and how polite he was to me! Con-
ceited idiot! That's what | If | had been
fifty times right than l was,-and still think
| was pretty right had no excuse. Imagine me
trying to teach him! And he was SO decent there
other WOrd,-and 1t