The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-05-29
Copyright. 19to. By Anna Katharine Rohlfs
(Continued.) CHAPTER XII.

"~ OMETHING went on at dinner
 time. It was not a usual meal,
 put in the district attorney.
 You and your sisters"-
 Stop! Don't talk to me about that dinner. I want to forget that dinner. I want to forget everything but the two things live for-to see that fel- low hanged and to- The words choked him, and he let his head fall, but presently threw it up again. "That dastard, whom may. God confound, passed a letter across Adelaide into Carmel's hapd," he panted out. "1 saw him. but I didn't take it in. wasn't thinking. was"-
 Who broke the glasses" urged his relentless inquisitor, lone at your plate, one at Carmers and one at the head of the board where sat your sis ter Adelaide?
 Must I tell these things? Have it; then. Heaven knows I think of it enough not to be afraid to speak it out in words. Adelaide never had much patience with me. She was a girl who only saw one way, while wanted pleasure, free time and a good drink whenever the fancy took me- You know what I am, pr. Perry, and everybody in town knows, but the impulse which has always ruled me was not a downright evil one, or if it was I called it natural independence and let it go at that. But Adelaide suffered. I didn't understand 1t, and I didn't care a fig for it, but she did suffer. God forgive me-"
 . He stopped and mopped his fore head. 'That afternoon" he presently resumed, "she was keyed up more than usual. She loved Ranelagh, and he had played or was playing her false. She saw him look at Carmel. and she saw Carmel look at him. Then her eyes fell on me. I was an gry-angry at them all-and I wanted a drink. It was not her habit to have wine on the table, but sometimes when Ranelagh was there she did She was a slave to Ranelagh. Ring the bell,' I ordered, and have in the champagne. I want to drink to your marriage and the happy days in pros pect for us au.' It was brutal. and I knew it, but I was reckless and wild for the wine. So. guess. was Rane- lagh. for be smiled at her. and she rang for the champagne. When the glasses had been set beside each plate she turned toward Carmel We will all drink she said. to my coming marriage This made Carmel turn pale, for Adelaide had never been known to drink a drop of liquor in her life. felt little queer myself. and not one of us spoke till the glasses were filled and the maid had left the dining room and shut the door.
 Then Adelaide rose. We will drink standing said she. and never had I seen her look as she did then. She drank. We wouldn't call it drinking. for she just touched the wine with her lips. but to her it was debauch. Then she stood waiting. with the strangest gleam in her eyes. while Ranelagh drained his glass and I drained mine. Ranelagh thought she wanted some sentiment and started to say something appropriate, but his eye fell on Carmel. who had tried to drink and couldn't. and he bungIed over his words and at last came to a pause under the steady stare of Ade- laide's eyes.
 ".Never mind. Elwood.' she said. T know what you would like to say. But that's not what I am thinking of now. I am thinking of my brother, the boy who will soon be left to find his way through life without even the unwelcome restraint of my presence I want him to remember this day. I want him to remember me as stand here before him with this glass in my hand. You see wine in it. Arthur; but I see poison. Carmel, you have griev- ed as we'll as I over what has passed for pleasure in this house. Do as I do. and may Arthur see and remem- ber'
 ''Her fingers opened; the glass fell from her hand and lay in broken frag- rents beside her plate. Carmel fol lowed suit. and. before I knew it, my own fingers had opened and my own glass lay in pieces on the tablecloth beneath me. Only Ranelagh's hand re- mained steady. She held her breath. watching that hand. and I can hear the gasp yet with which she saw him set his glass down quietly on the board. That's the story of those three broken glasses"
 The district attorney sought out and lifted paper from the others lying on the desk before him. It was the first movement he had made since Cumber land began his tale.
 I'm sorry" said he, with a rapid examination of the paper in his hand, "but shall have to detain you a few minutes longer. What happened after the dinner? Where did you go from the table?"
 'I went to my room to smoke. was upset and thirsty as a fish"
 "Have you liquor in your room"
 -Sometimes."
 Did you have any that night?"
 ''Not drop. didn't dare. I want ed that champagne bottle, but Adelaide had been. too quick for me. It was thrown out-wasted-I do believe. vast ed"
 'So you did not drink? You only smoked in your room?"
 Smoked one cigar. That was all Then I went down town"
 May I ask by which door you left the house?'
 "The side door-the one I always take''
 What overcoat did you wear?"