Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-01-17

marked, with deep reproach: my Sis
ter Is dead. Why am not in blackT'
The nurse. realizing her responsible
ity (she said afterward that. it was
the most serious moment of her life),
subdued her own astonishment at this
proof of her young patients knowledge
| OF d crime OF which she was universal
ly supposed to be entirely ignorant
and. bestowing an assuring smile on
the agitated girl. observed softly:
You were too Ill to be burdened
with black. You are better now and
may assume 1t If you will. will help
you buy your mourning"
Yes; you look like kind woman.
What is your name, please. and are We
here alone in this great hotel?'
Now, as a matter Of expediency,
to save Carmel from the uncomfortable
curiosity Of the crowd and herself
from the opportunities of the New
York reporters, Miss Unwin had reg
istered herself and her charge under
forced to reply:
MY name is Huckins. and we are
here alone. But that need not worry
you. | have watched over you night
and day for many weeks"
You have? Because of this slight
burnT" Again Carmers hand went to
her cheek
Not on account-of that only. You
have had a serious Illness quite apart
from that injury. But you are better;
| you are almost well-well enough to
go home, II you will"
81 cannot go home-not just yet
I'm-Tm not strong enough. But we
shouldn't be here alone without some
man to look after US. Miss Huckins,
where is my brotherT'
At this question. uttered with en-
phasis, with anxiety-with indignation
even-Miss Unwin felt the emotion she
had SO successfully subdued up to this
moment betray itself in her voice as
| she answered with quiet motion to-
ward the elevator: Let us go up to
our room. There will answer all
your questions"
But Carmel, with the waywardness
| Of her years, or perhaps with deeper
reasoning powers than the other would
be apt to attribute to her. broke softly
| away from Miss Unwin's OBTAINING
hand and, walking directly into the
office, looked about for the newspaper
| stand. She reached it just as a boy
stepped into view with the evening
| bulletin, on which had been written
these words:
The last Juror obtained in the trial Of
Arthur Cumberland for the murder of his
sister. Adelaide.
Carmel saw and stood. breathless
image of horror A couple OF gentle
men came running, but the nurse wav-
ed them back and herself caught Car
mel and upheld her, in momentary
dread Of another mental II not phys
ical collapse.
But Carmel had come back into the
| world of consciousness TO stay. Ac-
| cepting her nurses support. but CIV
ing no sign Of waning faculties or i'm
| perfect understanding OF what she had
seen. she spoke quite clearly and with
her eyes fixed upon Miss Unwin.
$50 that is why | am here. away
from all my friends. Was I too I'll to
be told7 Couldn't you make me know
what was happening-you or the doc
tors or-or anybody
You were much too ILL.," protested
the nurss leading her toward the ele-
vator and So by degrees to her room.
And Arthur-poor Arthur, has been
the sufferer! Tell me the whole story.
l can bear it." she pleaded. 81 can
bear anything but not knowing. Why
should he have fallen under suspicion?
| He was not even there. Imust go to
him. Pack up our clothing, Miss Huck-
fms. l must go to him at once"
With the sudden rending of the
clouds which had obscured her intel
| lect strange powers had awakened In
this young girl
you shall CO." began the nurse, and
stopped.
Carmel was not listening. Another
change Of thought had come. How
can IT fell In unconscious betrayal
from her lips. How can Iw Then
she stood silent ghastly with lack of
color one minute and rosy red with
Its excess the next, until it was hard
| to tell in which extreme her feeling
spoke most truly.
What was the feeling? Nurse Unwin
felt It imperative to know. She ap-
preached Carmel with renewed offers
Of help and such expressions of sym
pathy as she thought might lure her,
into open speech.
But discretion had come with fear.
and Carmel while not disdaining the
others kindness, instantly made 1t ap-
parent that. whatever her burden and
however unsuited it was to her present
weak condition, 1t was not one she felt
willing to share.
II must think" she murmured as
she finally followed the nurses lead
and seated herself on a lounge. car
thur on trial for his life! Arthur on
trial for his life! And Adelaide was
not even murdered!'
MOP" gasped the nurse, intent on
every word this long silenced witness
( let fall.
Had he no friend? Was there not
some one to understand? Adelaide
here her head fell till her face was lost
to ht-"had-a-lover"-
"Yes. Mr.. Elwood Ranelagh. He was
the first to be arrested for the crime"
The soul in Carmel seemed to vanish
at this word. The eyes, which had
been 80 farseeing the moment before,
grew blank and the 1.-the young body
stiff with that death in life which is
almost worse to look upon than death
itself. Then the stony eyes softened