The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-11

NO, III Sleu, nedTu only the shriek as of one in great disaster. I ran to Miss Van Normans room, as that was my first duty"
 Were you not in attendance up- on her?"
 ''No; she had sent me the message by Miss Dupuy, that I need not at tend her when she retired"
 Did this often occur?"
 Mot often, but sometimes when Miss Van Norman sat up late, by her. self, she would excuse me at an earlier hour. She was most kind and considerate of everybody"
 'Then when at last you saw Miss you do?"
 Mon Dieu! I shriekedl Why not ? was amazed, shocked, but, above all, desolated! It was a cruel scene. I knew not what to do, so, naturally, l shrieked.''
 Marie's French shrug almost con- vinced her hearers that truly that was the only thing to do on such an occasion.
 And now" said Coroner Benson, "can you tell us of anything, any in cident or any knowledge of your own, that will throw light on this whole matter?"
 Marie's pretty face took on a strange expression. It was not fear or terror, but sort of perp1exity. She gave a furtive glance at MT. Carleton and then at Miss Morton, and hesitated.
 At last she spoke, slowly:
 If monsieur could perhaps word his question a little differently-with more of a definiteness-''
 "very well; do you know anything of Miss Van Norman's private affairs that would assist us in discovering who killed her.
 "No, Monsieur" said Marie prompt ly, and with a look of relief.
 "Did Miss Van Norman ever, in the slightest way. express any inten- tion or desire to end her life?"
 Never, Monsieur"
 Do you think she was glad and happy in the knowledge of her fast approaching wedding-day?
 "I am sure Of it." and Marie's tone was that of one who we'll knew whereof she spoke.
 That is all, then, for the present" and Marie, with another sidelong curious glance at Miss Morton, re- stunned her seat.
 Kitty French and Molly Gardner were questioned, but they told noth- ing that would throw any light or the matter. They had heard the cry and while hastily dressing had heard the general commotion in the house They had thought it must be a fire and not until they reached the lib- rary did they know what had really happened.
 And then," said Kitty indignantly in conclusion of her own recital, five were not allowed to stay with the others, but were sent to our rooms So how can we give any evidence?" It was plain to be seen, Miss French felt herself defrauded of ar opportunity that should have beer hers, but Miss Gardner was of quite different mind. She answered ir whispered monosyua bles the ques tions put by the coroner, and as she knew no more than Kitty of the whole matter, she was not question. ed much.
 Robert Fessenden smiled little al the different attitude of the two girls He knew Kitty was eager to hear al the exciting details, while Moll! shrank from the whole subject. How ever, as they were such minor wit | nesses, the coroner paid little seriou: attention to them or to their state ments.
 Miss Morton's testimony came next Fessenden regarded her with interest as composed and calm, she waited the coroner's interrogations. She was deliberate and careful il making her replies, and it seemed t, | the young detective as if she knev nothing whatever about the who'll, affair, but was trying to imply tha she knew a great deal. You went to your room when thu others did. at about ten o'clock 9 asked MT. Benson. "Yes, but I did not retire at once. "Did you hear any sounds tha | caused you alarm?" 'No, not alarm. Curiosity, per haps, but that is surely pardonabl, | to a. naturally timid woman in { strange house."
 '"Then you did hear sounds. Ca1 you describe them?" 'I do not think they were othel than those made by the servants at tending to their duties. But the put ting on of coal or the fastening O. windows are noticeable sounds whel enc is not accustomed to them" "You could discern, then, that i was the shovelling of coal or tn, | fastening of windows that you heard 9
 NO, I could not. My hearing i