The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-04-28
CHAPTER ~.
A Cry in the Night.

lltlp.
The loud cry cf a single word
was not repeated, but repetition was
unnecessary, for the sound rang
through the old Van Norman house,
and carried its message Of fear and
horror TO all. awake or sleeping.
within its walls.
1t was about half.past eleven that
same night, ana Cicely Dupuy, still
fully dressed flew downstairs. and
hearing the servants bells, one af-
ter another. as If rung by a frantic
hand. she hesitated a moment only,
and then ran downstairs.
In the lower hall Schuyler Carrie.
ton. with dazcd expression on his
white. drawn face. was uncertainty
pushing various electric buttons
which in turn. flashed lights on or
of. or rang bells in distant parts
of the house
For a moment Ciccly stared
straight at the man. Their eyes met,
their gaze seemed to concentrate.
and they stood motionless, as il spell
bound.
This crisis was broken in upon by
Marie, Madeleine's French maid. who
came running downstairs in a has.
tily doned neeligee.
Mon Dieu," she cried. "Ou est
Mademoiselle?"
With a start, Carleton turned from
Cicely, and still with that dazed look
On his face, he motioned Marie to-
ward the wide doorway of the libra
ry. The girl took step toward the
threshold, and then, with q shrek
paused. and ventured no further.
Cicely as If impelled by an unseen
force slowly turned and followed
Marie's movements, and as the girl
screamed. Cicely grasped her tightly
by the arm. and the two stool star
ing in at the library door.
What they saw was Madeleine
an .NOl HfhA'h III Il 'Alsill az
the library table. Her right arm was
on the table. and her head which
had fallen to one side. was supported
by her right shoulder. Her eyes
We're partly closed, and her lips
We're parted, and the position of the
/ rigid figure left no need for furthci
evidence that this was not natura
/ sleep.
| But further evidence there was
Miss Van Norman still wore her vel
low satin gown, but the beautinI
embroidered bodice was stained ;
dull red, and crimson stream wa
even then spreading its way dowl
the shmmering brea4ths of the trail
ing skirt.
On the table, near the outstretci
ed white hand, lay Il Venetian dag
ger. This dagger was well know [
the onlookers. II had lain on the /
brary table for many years, an
though Ostensibly for the purpose q
paper cutter. IL VAS rarely us 2
AS such. It's edges were too sha7
TO cut paper satisfactorily, anC
moreover, II was a wicked lookin
affair. and many people had shut
dered as they touched IT. 1t had
history, too, and Richard Van No
man used TO tell his guests OF dar
deeds In which the dagger had take
part while It was still in Italy.
Madeleine herself had had a he
ror OF the weapon. though she ha
often admitted the fascination of il
marvellous workmanship, and IN
said upon several occasions that III
thing fairly hypnotized her, an
some day she should XIII herself {
somebody else with II.
From an instructive sense OF dut
Marie stepped forward. as If to hel
her mistress. then with a convulsiy
shudder she screamed again an
clasped her hands before her eyes
shut out the awful sight.
Clcely, too. moved slowly towar
the silent figure, then turned an
again gazed steadfastly at Schuylt
Carleton.
There must have been interrog
tion in her eyes. for the man poin
ed toward the table, and Cice
looked again. TO notice there 4 b
OF paper with writing on II.