The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-06-02
"Yes," came her voice, strangely

lOT MIS- OdyhOl WhhlS
me to know-she wants you to tell
me because / can help her. Where
did you hide the diamonds you took
from Mrs. Lawdon's room?"
without hesitation, and in the
same placid, remote voice, she ans
wered. In spite of the suspicion that
had become conviction, this direct
ack., ,wledgment stunned him. In
the intensity of his emotion his at
tention strayed from the details Of
the woman's confession.
Tell me that again" he ordered.
Repeat it slowly"
Obediently, with measured utter
ance, che began again. THE ivy
grows under the window There is
a nail in the brickwork; wire is
tied to 1t. reached it from the
window. The bag is red leather, like
the bricks; it's on the end Of the
wire. You can't see 1t from outside,
and the nail and wire are like those
set for the vines" Her voice trailed
off in murmur of deep sleep.
Tell me. remember well-where
did you get that bag?"
my lady gave 1t to me-"
when did you take those jewels
| from the hat boX?"
when everyone was at dinner"
who told you to-"
MY lady told me to find these
things that we're hers-to be sure
that no one saw me. A key hangs
with many others on a ring beside
the mirror; it is fiat and has two
grooves and a round hole at the top"
During the latter part Of the sem
tence the girls voice changed. 1t
was as If a Photographic record had
been turned on, so perfect was the
reproduction of Nellie Gaynor's
voice. The effect was almost terri
flying, yet a strange tenderness to-
ward the erring woman filled his
heart. Even in her crime she had
spared her tool the consciousness OF
wrongdoing She had directed her
to take her mistress's proper belong
ings from a place indicated. Then
knowledge mocked him. An honest
will cannot be blindly driven to
crime, even when subservient. Yet
he clung to the gentler interpreta-
tion striving to find some comfort
where palliation and excuse were de-
MED.
Did anyone see you when you
left the room?" he asked.
"Yes. | was far down the corri'
dor. He spoke and passed me.
did not answer"
Wendham bent over her. His jaw
was set with determination, his
brows drawn with pain.
Tell me. and remember carefully
have you ever taken your mistress s
Jewels before from other places
Think we'll"
Yes" she said slowly.
When you were stopping il
Douglaston, what was it that timc?'
My lady's long string of pearls
l went back for them; my lady hat
forgotten them, and told me where.
How did you get into th'
house?"
Il came in in wells and lonI
coat, like"
A cry and report-so close ant
loud that the air seemed rent by thu
explosion.
Wendham leaped to his feet.
: The doorway framed a group il
: tragic violence. Nellie Gaynor, gra
as death, a silken garment flun
over her nightdress, where quickl
spread a crimson stain, was clingin
gasping to the shaking arm of Eve
lyn, while on the floor at her fee
l lay heavy A.
: Good God!" he cried.
Look, look!" stammered Evelyr
SIS she dying?"
,. A flash of intelligence came t
Nellie's eyes. She opened her sc
teeth to speak, but her utteranc
was choked in blood.
Suddenly Wendham Strengthened
. the habit of the physician masterin
!, him.
THE wound is in the neck
there's a chance" He spoke quickl
: and his eyes commanded Evelyn
explicit obedience.
/, Already cries and the rush of hui
:, rying feet announced the arrival c
the frightened household.
1T was an accident. She has brai
J, fever, Evelyn. She is entirely out {
= her head. l will bring Adele" H
!, laid Nellie in Evelyn's arms, an
y sprang within the den.
= The unmoved sleep of the wema
contrasted like the awful incongruit
;. of a nightmare, with the scene enac
. ed so close beside her.
wake up! Wake up! Adel
= Wake quickly-forget our talk. Yor
;, mistress needs you. She is hurt
comet" His swift hands few aboy
% the girls still features. She sat u
as If dazed. Your mistress neeC
you-she is hurt. Go to her, the
run for a bowl of water. Get me a.
= sorbent cotton"
= Her mind, still receptive, seize
. upon his orders. Rising, she rs
. from the room in swift obedience.
Alice Rawlins was first upon Il
y scene. Wendham raised to her
70 fapa of ma rhla