The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-04
by CAROLYN WELLS
Conunuedl

and you may as we'll return to your rooms Harris may stay. and one of the parlor maids''
 Miss Morton had an imperious air, and instinctively the servants obeyed her.
 But Cicely Depuy was not so ready to accept the dictum of a stranger. She stepped forward and, facing Miss Morton. said quietly. Mrs. Markham fe housekeeper, as we'll as Miss Van Norman's chaperon. The servants gre accust.med to take their orders fromher."
 Miss Morton returned Cicely's di- rect gaze. You see Mrs. Markham, ' she said. pointing to the sofa, where that lady had entirely collapsed. and. with her head in a pillow, was shak- ing with convulsive sobs.
 "She is for the moment quite in capable of giving orders. As the oldest person present, and as a life long friend of MT. Richard Van Nor man, I shall take the liberty of di- recting affairs in the present crisis" Then, in a softer tone and with a gisnce toward Madeleine, Miss Nor ton continued, 'I trust in view of the awfulnees of the occasion you will gfve me your sympathy and co-opera- ton, that we may work in harmony
 Cicely gave Miss Morton a curious glance that might have meant almost anything. but with a slight inclina- tfon of her head she said only, "Yes, madam"
 Then Kitty French and Molly Gard ner came downstairs and stood tremb- ling on the threshold.
 what is it?" whispered Kitty. whats the matter with Madeleine ?"
 '-Something dreadful has happen ed," said Miss Morton. meeting them at the door. T have telephoned for Doctor Hills and he will be here soon. Until then we can do nothing"
 But we can try to help Maddy." exclaimed Kitty. starting toward the still figure by the table. "Oh. is she hurt? thought she had fainted!"
 As the two girls saw the dread sight, Miss Gardner tainted herself, and Miss Morton bade Marie, who stood shivering in the hall, take care of her.
 Relieved at having something to do, Marie shook the girl and dashed the water in her face until she re- gained consciousness, the others, meanwhile. paying little attention.
 Schuyler Carleton stood leaning against the doorpost,. his eyes fixed on Madeleine's tragic figure. while Kitty French, who had dropped into a chair. sat with her hands tightly clasped. also gazing at the sad pic. ture.
 Although it seemed hours to those who awaited him. it was but few moments before the doctor came.
 Doctor Hills was a clean-cut, alert looking voting man. and his quick eyes seemed to take in every detail of the scene at glance.
 He went straight to the girl at the table and bent over her. Only the briefest examination was necessary before he said gently, "She is quite dead She has been stabbed with this dagger. It entered a large blood vessel just over the heart, and she bled to death. Who killed herr"
 Even as he spoke his eye fell on the written paper which lay on the table. With one of his habitually quick gestures he snatched it up and read, it to himself, while look of great surprise dawned on his face. Immediately he read aloud:
 I am wholly miserable, and unless the clouds lift must. end my life. ] love s., but he does not love me.
 After he finished reading, Doctor Hills stood staring at the paper, and looked utterly perplexed.
 'T should have said it was not a suicide he declared. ''But this mes- gage seemed to indicate that it is Is this written in Miss Van Norman's hand? 2"
 Miss Morton, who stood at the doc tors side, took the paper and scruti- nized it.
 Tt is." she said. "Yes, certainly that is Miss Van Norman's writing had a letter from her only few days ago. and recognize it perfect ly."
 Let me see it." said Mrs. Mark ham, in a determined, though rather timid way. 'T am more familiar with Madeleine's writing than a stranger can possibly be-"
 Miss Morton handed the paper tc the housekeeper without word, while the doctor, waiting, wondered why these two women seemed so out oi sympathy with each other.
 Yes, it is surely Madeleine's writ lng," agreed Mrs. Markham, hel glasses dropping off as her eyes filled with tears.
 Then l suppose she killed herself poor girl" said the doctor. "She must have been desperate, indeed for it was a strong blow that drove the steel in so deeply. Who first dis.