Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-29
CHAPTER XII.
Louis Confession.

Elsa had been gone but a few moments
when Florence Lloyd returned to the Ii
brary. 1 arose to greet her and mar
veled at the change which had come over
her. Surely here was girl Of thou
sand moods. She had left me with an
effect of hauteur and disdain; she re-
turned, gentle and charming, almost hum
ble 1 could not understand 1T. and re-
manned standing after she had seated her
self, awaiting developments.
sit down, Mr. Burroughs she said.
and her low, sweet voice seemed fusl OF
cordial invitation. I'm afraid L was
rude to you when 1 went away just now;
and 1 want to say that IL 1 can tell you
anything you wish to know. ] should be
glad to. do So"
I drew up chair and seated myself
near her. My heart was pounding with
excitement at this new phase or the girl
nature For an instant 1t seemed as IL
she must have a personal, kindly ieehns
toward me, and then my reason returned,
and with a suddenly falling heart and
slowing pulses l realized that l was a
fool, and that after thinking over the dis
closures Louis had made. Miss Lloyd han
shrewdly concluded it was to her best ad-
vantage to curry favor with the detec-
tive. This knowledge came to me in
stinctively and so I distrusted her gentle
voice and winning smile. and hardening
my heart against her, l resolved TO turn
vantage and learn what l could while
she was willing to converse
I'm glad Of this opportunity. Miss
Lloyd" 1 said, "for there are some phases
of this affair that l want to discuss WIN
you alone. Let us talk the matter over
quietly. 1t is as well that you should
know that there are some doubts felt as
to the entire truth of the story you told
at the inquest. 1 do not say this 10
brighten you," / added, as the poor girl
of dumb alarm; but, since 1t is SO,
want to do all I can to set the matter
right. Do you remember exactly all that
took place. to your knowledge, on the
night of your uncle's death?
Eyes" she replied, looking more fright
ened still 1t was evident that she knew
more than she had yet revealed, but al
most forgot my inquiry. so ABSORBED was
I in watching her lovely face. 1t was
even more exquisite in its terrined paiior
than when the f1eeting PINK shoWeu IN hei
| cheeks.
'Then," said, ''let us go over it, You
heard your uncle go out at about O'Clock
and return about 9!'
Yes, I heard the front door open anu
close both times
you and Mrs Pierce being in the music
room, of course. Then, later. you heard
visitor enter, and again you heard rim
leave?''
"Yes-Mr. Porter
did YOU know it was Mr.. Porter at the
mo: I think not. I didn't think at all
who it might be. Uncle Joseph often had
men to call in the evening"
about what time did Mr.. Porter
| leave?''
"A few minutes before 10. I heard
| Lambert say Good night. Sir as he
closed the door after him.
"And soon after you and Mrs Pierce
went upstairs?'
yes: only a few minutes after"
And later Mrs. Pierce came to your
room?''
Eyes; about half-past 10. 1 should say;
she came to get book. She dioht stay
"And after that you went CONTESTANTS
again to speak to your uncle?
For the merest instant Miss Lloyd's
eyes closed and she swayed, as II about
to faint. but she regained her composure
at once and answered. with some asper'
ity; .o,a Won ,h.t r did
not leave my room again that night"
| Her dark eyes blazed, her cheeks nush'
ed, and though her full. lower lip quiv
| cred it was with anger now, not fear.
| AS watched her I wondered how
could have thought her more beautiful
when pale. Surely with this glowing
color she was at her glorious best.
"Then when did you drop the two rose
petals there?" / went on, calmly enough
though my own heart was beating fast
II did not drop them. They were lef
there by some intruder"
but. Miss Lloyd" and 1 observed hel
closely, "the petals were from a ross
| such as those Mr.. Hall sent you tina
| evening. The florist assures me there
| were no such blossoms In West Sedg
| wick at that time. The fallen petals
then, were from one OF your own roses
| Or
| "Or?c asked Miss Lloyd, her hand:
pressed against the laces at her throb
bling bosom. "Or?"
or" went on from rose worn b,