The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-06
Uontinued.l

kind of an attitude,-or, at least, she thought he did. l don't know, I'm sure. but she was possessed with a giri,-some one of the clinging rose bud sort
 Do you know this?'' asked Mrs. Markham: T mean. do you know that Maddy thought this?-
 --Yes, I know it. asserted Kitty with a wag of her wise little head. q tried to persuade her that no clingin< rosebud could rival a tall proud lilyz but she thoroughly be- lieved there was some one else" s- But Mir. Carleton was to marry her said Mrs Markham "I can't isfieve he would do that if he loved another
 That's what bothered Maddy,' said Kitty: =.'she knew how honorable MT. Carleton had always been, and she said that as he was engaged to her. he would think it his duty to marry her. even if his heart belonged to some one else"
 "On. pshaw.'' said Molly. eff he was going 10 marry her, and didn t love her. it was because of her for tune. Probably his rosebud girl hasn't a. cent.
 Don't talk like that" said Kitty, shuddertng. ..Somehow it seems dis 1c-yai to both of them"
 ~But it is. all true said Mrs. Msrk. ham sacly: Madeleine has never been of . confidential nature, but I know that she, had the idea Kitty tells. Of, and I fear it was true And I may be -disloyal. or even unjust, bCi : can't ashelp thinking Schuyler was attracted by Maddy's money. He is proud and ambitious, and he would he quite in his element as the head of fine establishment, with plenty Of money to spend on it.''
 Well. he'll never have it now, said Molly and as this brought back the realization of the awful event that had happened, both girls burst into crying again
 Mrs Markham herself with over wrought nerves. found she could dc nothing to comfort the girls, so left them and went to commune with her grief in her own room.
 Meantime the two doctors alone in the ,ibfsry AMSere stiff Sir dfscf,ssion.
 -well. what, do you want" inquired Doctor Leonard angriiy. Do you want to imply. and with no evidence whatever that the girl died by some hand other than her own? Do you want 10 involve the family in the ex- pense and unpleasant publicity of a coroners inquest, when there is not cnIy no reason for such a proceeding but there is every reason against. it 9
 --I want nothing but to get at the truth, rejoined Doctor Hills, a little ruffied himself. 'I hold that a young woman unless endowed with unusua strength. or possibly under stress of intense ps ssfon. could not inflict up- on herself 9 blow strong enough to drive that dagger to the hilt in her own breast. pull it forth again, and cast it on the floor, and after thai place her arm in the position it now occupies"
 Doctor Leonard looked thoughtful 'I agree with you." he said slowly; -'-tiat is, I agree that it does no: seem as if 2 woman could do that But my dear Doctor Hills, Miss Van Norman did do that. We know she did. from her own written confession snd also by the theory of elimination What else could have happened? Have you any suggestion to advance?''
 Doctor Hills was somewhat taken aback at Doctor Leonard's sudden ness. Up 10 this moment the county physician had stoutly maintained thai the case was a suicide beyond any question, and then, turning, he had put the question to the younger doc tor fin such way that Doctor Hill. was quite ready with an answer.
 No" he said hesitating; "and have no theory to advance, and, more over. l do not consider this an oc- casion for theories. But WE mus ascertain the facts. I state it as : fact that a woman could not stab her self as Miss Van Norman is stabbed withdraw the dagger, and then place her right arm on the table in thu position you see it.''
 And I assert that you are statins what is not 2 fact, but merely youl own opinion,
 Doctor Hills looked disconcerted a this. His companion was an older and far more experienced man thar himself. and not only did Dieter Hill! have no desire to antagonize him. bu fe wished to show him the deferenc, that was justly his due.
 "You are right" he said frankly "It is merely my own opinion. Bu now will you give me yours. based not on the written paper. but th' position and general effect of tht body of Miss Van Norman ?''
 Put thus on his mettle, Doctor Leonard looked carefully at the deac