The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-07
 THE CLUB

by CAROLYN WELLS

room.
 Fessenden and Kitty French were greatly disappointed at this, but the others went out with feeling of re- lief, for the strain was beginning to tell upon the nerves of all concerned.
 As usual, Miss Morton tried to ex- ercise her powers of generalship, and directed that they should all assem- ble in the drawing-room until re- called to learn the coroner's opinion.
 Mrs Markham, unheeding Miss Morton's dictum, went away to at tend to her household duties, and Cicely went to her own room, but the others waited in the drawing room. They were joined shortly by Tom Willard and Schuyler Carleton, who arrived at about the same time.
 MT. Carleton, never robust man, looked like wreck of his former self. Years had been added to his apparent age; his impassive face wore a look of stony grief, and his dark eyes seemed filled with an un- utterable horror.
 Tom Willard, on the contrary, be- ing of stout build and rubicund coun- tenance, seemed an ill-itting figure in the sad and fearful group.
 But as Kitty French remarked to Fessenden in whisper, "Poor Tom probably feels the worst of any of US, and it isn't his fault that he can't make that fat, jolly face of his look more funereal.','
 And he's saio to be the heir to the estate, too," Fessenden whispered back.
 NOW, that's mean of you," declar- ed Kitty. From hasn't a greedy hair in his head, and I don't believe he has even thought of his fortune. And. besides, he was desperately in love with Madeleine. A whole heap more in love than Mir. Carleton was.''
 Fessenden. stared at her. "Then why was Carleton marrying her?'' For her money" said Kitty. with disdainful air.
 'I didn't know that" went on Fes- senden, quite seriously. .I thought Carleton was hard hit. She was 9 magnificent woman" ''Oh, she was, indeed" agreed Kit ty enthusiastically. "Mr. Carleton didn't half appreciate her, and Tom did. But then she was always very different with Tom. Somehow she always seemed constrained when with MT. Carleton"
 Then why was she marrying him ?'
 "She was terribly in love with him She liked Tom only in cousinly way but she adored MT. Carleton. I know it."
 Well, it seems you were righ, about her not killing herself, so you're probably right about this matter | too.''
 Now, that shows nice spirit, said Kitty, smiling, even in the mids of her sorrow. ''But, truly, I'm mos always right; aren't you?' 1 T shall be after this, for I'm al. ways going to agree with you"
 That's a pretty large order, fol I'm sometimes awfuily disagreeable. | II shouldn't believe that, but I've I Frroo+;o,11xx prov,;sa<7 +, bo1;oxy, e,,a,-x, thing you tell me, so I suppose shall have to-"
 "Oh. now I have defeated my owr ends! We'll, never mind; abide b, your first impression,-that I'm al ways right.-and then go ahead i 'Go ahead it is,'' declared Fessen den. and then Molly Gardner joined them. Molly was more overcome by the tragic turn affairs had taken thai Kitty, and had only just made he, appearance downstairs that day.
 You dear child," cried Kitty, not | ing her pale cheeks and sad eyes ''sit right down here by us, and le MT. Fessenden talk to you. He's tn, incest man in the world to cheer an, one up."
 Ana you look as if you need cheer ing, Miss Gardner said Fessenden arranging some pillows at her back as she languidly dropped on the sofa
 'I can't realize it at a!l,'' said poo Molly; 'T don't want to be silly an. keep fainting all over the place, hu every time I remember how Madd, looked last night" She glanced to ward the closed library doors with shudder.
 | Don't think about it," said Rol Fessenden. What you need most Miss Gardner, is bit of fresh ail Come with me for little walk il the grounds"
 This was self-sacrifice on the par of the young man, for he greatly de sired to be present when the corone should open the closed doors to then again. But he really thought Mis- Gardner would be better for a short brisk walk, and, getting her som : wraps, they went out at the iron . door.
 CHAPTER VII.