The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-04-01


she will talk more freely to you. She
would want 70 spare my nerves. That
is the nuisance OF being old. Now open
the door,
She was halfway across the thresh.
old before she finished. and the colo
nefs fingers on the doorknob waited
only for the closing OF her door 10
turn to admit the lady In waiting.
A lady she was beyond doubt. and
nny one who had Travelled would have
been sure that she was n lady from
Massachusetts,. She wore that little
close bonnet which certain elderly Bos-
ton gentlewomcn can neither Dc drlv.
en- nor allured TO abandon: her rich
and quiet black silken gown might
have been made any year within the
last Ave. and her furs would have
graced n princess. She had beautiful
gray hair and soft complexion and
wore glasses. Equally evident to the
observer was the fact Of her sup.
pressed agitation.
She waved aside the colonels prof.
fered chair. introducing herself in a
musical almost tromulous voice with
the crisp cnunclation 81 her section Of
the country. Il am Mrs. wiggles-
worth: l understand. Col. Winter
youf-y.ycs. no. thank you. win not
sit. IL understand Mrs. Winter-ah.
your aunt. Is an elderly woman"
This IL my sister.inlaw. Mrs. Mel.
Vile Winter" explained the colonel
My aunt is elderly In years. but in
nothing else"
played the situation. lie had pre-
vailed upon his visitor TO sit down. and
while he spoke no noticed that her
hands held each OTHER tightly. nj.
though she appeared perfectly com
posed and did not interrupt She an.
swered his questions directly and
quietly She had been away taking
tea with a friend: she had remained
to dine. Her maid had gone out ear.
lIcr TO spend the day and night with a
sister in the city: so the room was
empty between six and seven O'Clock.
The chambermaid wasn't there,
them"
Il don't think 40. She usually does
the room and brings the towels for the
bath In the morning But asked her,
to make sure. and she says that she
was not there since morning. She
seems a good girl; think she didn't
but I have found something. AT
least I am AL may have found some
thing. I thought I might see Mrs.
Winters niece about it"--she glanced
toward Millicent. who said. Certain.
ly." at a venture: and looked fright
ened
And you found said the colonel.
only this went 20 my rooms.
turned on the light and was taking on
my gloves before I united my bonnet.
One OF my rings fell on the floor. II
went under a rug. and I at once re.
marked that Il was a different place
for the rug TO the one where Il had
been before. Before. II was In front
| OF the dresser, very natural place
but now Il Is on the carpet to one side,
a place where there seemed no reason
for It's presence. These details seem
trivial. but ="
Il can see they are not" said the
colonel. Pray proceed. madam. The
ring had rolled under the rug!"
Mrs. wigglesworth gave him crate
full nod.
"Yes, Il had. And when removed
the rug | saw Il; but as bent TO pick
II up | saw something else. In one
place there was stain. as large as the
palm Of my hand. little pool Oft
looks like blood"
Mrs. Melville uttered an exclama.
ton Of horror.
The coloners face stiffened: but
there was no change In his polite at
tention.
May We be permitted TO see this
an. stain2" said he.
The three stepped through the cor
ridor TO the outside door. aud went
into the chamber. The rug was flung
20 one side. and there on the gray vel
vet nap OF the carpet was an irregular
sprawling stain about which were
spattered other stains. some crimson
some almost black.
Millicent recoiled. shudderlng. The
colonel knelt down and examined the
stains. Yes" he said. very quietly
you are right II Is blood"
There was tap on the door. which
was opened Immediately without wait
ing for a permission. Millicent. rigid
with fright. could only stare helpless
ly at the erect figure. the composed
pale face and the brilliant. imperious
eyes OF her aunt.
What did YOU say. Bertie?" said
Rebecoa Winter. Il think | have q
right 10 the whole truth"
CHAPTER VI.
The Voice In the Telephone.
well. Bertie2" Mrs. Winter had
gone back to her parlOr In the most