The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-04-28

She made no motion toward IL.
but the expression on her face chang.
ed TO one { bewildsrcd surpris
Pcforc she had time to speak. how.
ever. the other people ct the house
all at once began to gather in the
hall
Mrs Markham clmc first. and
though when she saw Madeleine she
turned yer, white and seemed about
to faint. she brayely went at once
toward the girl. and gently tried t.
raise the fallen hca
She fol, firm graep ON her Shout.
der. aud turned to see Mies Morton
with stern set face. at her side,
"ront touch her" said Miss Nor
ton in whisper -r.l.g.
a doctor quickly"
But she's dead" declared Mrs.
Markham quickly at the same time
bursting into violent sabs.
I'VE do not know We hope not;
went ON Mies Morton. and without
another word she led Mrs. Markham
to sofa. ami sat her down rather
suddenly; and then went herself
straight to the telephone
As she reached it she paused only
to inquire the name of the family
physician
Harris. the butler. with difficulty
articulatcd the name Of Doctor Hills
and his telephone number. and with.
out further inquiry Miss Morton call
ed for him.
is this Dr Hills?" she said when
her call was answered. Yet. this
is the Van Norman house Come
here at once--it is very important
"a matter of life and death
am Miss Morton. am in charge
here. Yes. come immediately Good
bye"
Miss Morton hung up the receiver
and turncl to the frightened group
Of servants.
You can do nothing" she said.
and you may as well return to
your r5ms. Harris may stay, and
one OF the parlor maids"
Miss Morton had an impcrious air
and instinctively the servants obcycd
her.
But Cicely Dupuy was not so ready
TO accept the dctum Of stranger.
She stepped forward and. facing
Miss Morton, said quietly, Mrs.
Markham is housekeepcr, as well as
Miss Van Norman's chapcron. The ser
wants are accustomed 10 take their
oriers from her
Miss Morton returned Cicclys dl.
rect gaze. "Ycu see Mrs. Markham. -
she said. pointing to the sofa whore
| that lady had entirely collapsed. and
with her head in pillow. was shak
/ ing with convulsive sobs. She Is
| for the moment quite incapable OF
/ giving orders. As the oldest person
I present. and as lifelong friend oi
Mr.. Richard Van Norman. shall
take the liberty of directing affairs
in the present crisis" Then. in q
softer tone and with glance to
ward Madeleine. Miss Morton con
tinued, Il trust In view of the awful
ness of the occasion. you will give
me your sympathy and cooperation
that We may work in harmony"
Cicely gave Miss Morton a curiou.
glance that might have meant al
most anything, but with sllgh
inclination of her head she sale
only, Yes. madam"
Then Kitty French and Mol!
Gardner came downstairs and stoo,
trembling on the threshold.
What Is it?" whispered Kitty
What's the matter with Madeleine? d?
Something dreadful has happen
ed" sail Miss Morton. meeting then
at the door. 81 have telephoned 70
Doctor Hills and he will be her
soon. Until then we can do nothing.
But We can try to help Maddy,
exclaimed Kitty, starting toward Tn
still figure by the table. "Oh, sh
is hurt? thought she had tainted,
p As the two girls saw the drca
e sight, Miss Gardner tainted hersel
} ami Miss Morton bade Marie. VIII
stood shivering in the hall take car
OF her.
Relieved at having something I
do, Marie shook the girl and dashe
, water in her face until she regaine
. consciousness. the others mcanwhil
; paying but little attention
J. Schuyler Carleton stood leaning
4 against the doorpost. his eyes @
= Madelene's tragic figure, while Kit
< French. who had dropped into
, ] ,,f,h ha.