The Irish standard., 1909-01-09

: LuS OOOE.
She was halfway across the thresh.
old before she finished, and the colo
nels fingers on the doorknob waited
only for the closing of her door to
turn to admit the lady in waiting.
A lady she was beyond doubt, and
any one who had Travelled would have
been sure that she was a lady from
Massachusetts,. She wore that little
close bonnet which certain elderly Bos-
ton gentlewomen can neither be driv-
en- nor allured to abandon; her rich
and quiet black silken gown might
have been made any year within the
; last five, and her furs would have
graced a princess. She had beautiful
gray hair and a 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 tremulous voice with
the crisp enunciation of her section of
the country. II am Mrs. Wiggles-
worth; I understand, Col. Winter
you?-y.yes, no, thank you, will not
sit. IL understand Mrs. Winter-ah,
your aunt, is an elderly woman"
''This is my sister-in-law, Mrs. Mel
vile Winter" explained the colonel
"My aunt is elderly in years, but in
nothing else"
Mrs. Wigglesworth smiled a faint
smile; the colonel could see tremble
of the hand that was unconsciously
about her throat. "How very nice
yes, to be sure" she faltered. But
you will understand that did not wish
to alarm her. 1 heard that you wanted
to speak to me, and that the little boy
was lost"
COR stolen" Mrs. Melville said,
crisply.
The colonel, in a few words, dis.
played the situation. He had pre-
vailed upon his visitor to sit down, and
while he spoke he noticed that her
hands held each other tightly, al
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 friend; she had remained
to dine. Her maid had gone out ear
Tier to spend the day and night with q
sister in the city; so the room was
empty between six and seven o'clock.
"The chambermaid wasn't there,
them"
II don't think so. 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 1 have found something. At
least 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. I went to my rooms,
turned on the light and was taking off
my gloves before united my bonnet.
One of my rings fell on the floor. 1t
"SAA0 oAAuSA - AdS13 o4u \ 1b ouLC lC-
marked that 1t was a different place
for the rug to the one where it had
been before. Before, it was in front
of the dresser, very natural place,
but now it is on the carpet to one side,
a place where there seemed no reason
for it's presence. These details seem
trivial, but"
II 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.
Eyes, it had. And when I removed
the rug saw it; but as bent to pick
it up I 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,
tion of horror.
The coloners face stifcened; but
there was no change in his polite at
tention.
MAY we be permitted to see this
ali, stain?" said he.
The three stepped through the cor
ridor to the outside door, and went
into the chamber. The rug was flung
to 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, shuddering. The
colonel knelt down and examined the
stains. Eyes," he said, very quietly,
"you are right, it 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
Rebecca Winter. Il think I have q
right to the whole truth"
CHAPTER VI.
The Voice In the Telephone.