The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-11

low. felt sure then that .t was ne who had cried out, so I came down. stairs.''
 At what time was this?"
 At half7past eleven exactly"
 "How do you know so accurately"
 Because as I came downstairs the old clock on the middle landing soft note, and it struck just as passed the clock, and it startled me little. so of course I remember it perfectly"
 And then?"
 And then"-Cicely again hesitated. but with a visible effort resumed her down, and found MT. Carleton nearly distracted. I could not guess what was the matter. He was turning on the lights and ringing the servants bells and acting like a man beside himself. Then in a moment Marie appeared, and gave one of her French shrieks that completely up set what little nerve I had left.'
 And what did you do next?"
 'I-I wentfnto the library"
 ''Why?"
 Cicely looked up suddenly, as if startled, but after an instant's hesita- tion replied:
 Because MT. Carleton pointed to- ward the doorway, and Marie and I went in together"
 You knew at once that Miss Van Norman was not alive?"
 'I was not sure, but Marie went toward her, and then turned away with another of her horrid screams and I felt that Miss Van Norman must be dead.'
 What did MT. Carleton say?"
 "He said nothing He-He pointed to the written paper on the table,"
 Which you had written yourself 9"
 "Yes, but he didn't know that' Cicely spoke eagerly. as if saying something of importance. "He thought she wrote it'
 Never mind that point for the mo- ment. But I must now ask you to explain that written message which you have declared that you yourself wrote."
 At this Cicely's manner changed. She became again the obstinate and defiant woman who had answered the coroner's earlier questions. ''I refuse to explain it.''
 Consider a moment" said MT. Benson quietly. Sooner or later. perhaps at a trial-you will be obliged to explain this matter. How much better, then, to confide in us l now, and perhaps lead to an immedi- ate solution of the mystery Cicely pondered a moment, then she said, 'I have nothing to conceal, I will tell you. I did write that pa- per, and it was the confession of my | heart. I am very miserable, and when I wrote it quite intended to take my own life. When I was called to go to Miss Van Norman in the lib. rary. I gathered up some notes and | lists from my desk to take to her. Tn my haste I must have included that paper without knowing it, for when I reached my room I could not find it. And then-then when I saw it. there on the table-I-' Cicely had | again grown nervous and excited. Her voice trembled, her eyes filled with tears, and, fearing nervous collapse MT. Benson hurried on to other ques- | tions
 Whom does that S. in your note stand for?"
 | 'That I shall never tell" The de- termination in her voice convinced | him that it was useless to insist on that point, so the coroner went on.
 Perhaps we have no right to ask Now you must tell me some other things, and, believe me, my questions are not prompted by curiosity, but are necessary to the discovery of the truth. Why did Mr. Carleton point to that paper?"
 | "He-he seemed so shocked and stunned that he was almost unable to speak. I suppose he thought that would explain why she had killed herself"
 | "But she hadn't killed herself"
 "But he thought she had, and he thought that paper proved it'' | But why had he need to prove it. and to you?"
 'I don't know. I don't know that he thought. I don't know what ] thought myself after I reached the library door and looked in and saw the dreadful sight. Oh, I shall see ii all my life." At the memory Cicely broke down again and sank into hel chair, shaking with convulsive sobs | MT. Benson did not disturb heI further. but proceeded to question the | others.
 The account of Marie, the maid merely served to corroborate what Cicely had said, Marie, too, had heard Carleton's cry for help, and, throwing on dressing-gown, had run down stairs to Madeleine's room. Not find. ing her mistress there, she had hur.