The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-04

| pression that seemed to show some thing more than grief and horror. Her emotional bewilderment was not surprising in view of the awful situa- ton, but her look was a strange one, and for some reason it greatly dis concerted the man.
 None of this escaped the notice of Doctor Hills, looking straight at Carleton, but with kindly expres- sion replacing the stern look on his face, he went on:
 And when you came in, was Miss Van Norman just as we see her now?"
 Practically" said Carleton. 1T couldn't believe her dead. And tried to rouse her. Then I saw the dagger on the floor at her feet"
 "On the fioor?" interrupted Doctor Hills.
 "Yes," replied Carleton, whose agitation was increasing, and who had sunk into chair because of sheer inability to stand. 'It was on the floor at her feet-right at her feet-I picked it up, and there was blood on it-there is blood on it-and I laid it on the table. And then I saw the paper-the paper that says she killed herself. And then-and then I turn wants bells, and Cicely-Miss Dupuy came. and the others, and-that's all." Schuyler Carleton had with dih- culty concluded his narration and he sat clinching his hands and biting his lips as if at the very limit of his powers of endurance.
 Doctor Hills again glanced round the assembly in that quick way of his. and said:
 "Did any of you have reason to think Miss Van Norman had any thought of taking her own life?" For a moment no one spoke, and then Kitty French, who, in despair ing, miserable way, was Shuddled in the depths of a great arm chair, said:
 .'T have heard Madeleine say that some time she would kill herself with that horrid old dagger. wish had stolen and buried it long ago!'' Doctor Hills turned to Mrs. Mark ham. Did you have any reason to f,o t,a ix1,,;ro5
 >"No," she replied; ''and I do not think Madeleine meant she would voluntarily use that dagger. She only meant she had a superstitious dread of the thing.".
 Do you, understand her reference to her own unhapp2 >ss in this bit of writing?" went on the doctor. "Yes, think I do," said Mrs.
 Markham in a low voice.
 That is enough for the present"
 said the doctor, as if to interrupt further condolences. Although it is l difficult to believe stab of that na- ture could be self-inflicted, it is pos sible, and this communication seems to leave no room for doubt. Now, the law of New Jersey requires that in case of death not by natural means the county physician shall be summoned, and further proceedings are entirely at his discretion. shall therefore be obliged to send for Doc. | tor Leonard before disturbing the body in any way. He will probably not arrive in less than an hour or so, and would advise that you ladies retire. You can of course do nothing | to help, and as I shall remain in
 charge, you may as we'll get what rest you can during the night" "I thank you for your considera- ton, Doctor Hills," said Mrs. Mark ham who seemed to have recovered
 her calmness, 'but prefer to stay here. I could not rest after this aw- full shock, and I cannot stay away
 from Madeleine"
 Kitty French and Molly Gardner, who, clasped in each others arms, were shivering with excitement and | grief, begged to be allowed to stay ! too, but Doctor Hills peremptorily ordered them to go to their rooms ! Cicely Dupuy was allowed to stay,
 as in her position of social secretary
 she might know much of Madeleines s
 private affair. For the same reason
 Marie was detained, while Doctor
 Hills asked her few questions.
 Schuyler Carleton sat rigidly in his
 chair, as immovable as a statue. This
 man puzzled Doctor Hills. And yet
 it was surely shock enough almost to unhinge a mans brain to find his intended bride the night before the wedding.
 But Carleton seemed absorbed in emotions other than those of grief Though his face was impassive, his | eyes darted about the room looking at one after another of the shocked
 and terrified group, returning always | to the still figure at the table, and as | quickly turning his gaze away, as il
 the sight were unbearable, as indeed | it was.
 He seemed like man stunned with awfulness of the tragedy, and
 yet conscious of care, a responsi-