The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-03-17

might have had something to do with
this case of suicide.
I'D rather not tell" I moaned.
mot tell" snarled Mark DO you
mean to admit that you took it on pur
poser
I looked at Clara and saw by her ex-
preston that what had been a sus-
picion had developed into an explana-
ton of the mystery. How could get
out OF the scrape without exposing her /
blunder? There seemed to be no way
to protect her except by owning that I
had attempted suicide
Yes" | said; II did"
"Well. I'll be hanged. What did .
you do IT for?"
Love" I said, casting a side glance I
at Clara. She blushed, but l was the |
only one of the party who noticed Ii.
Are you sure you're free from the /
effects OF the poison?" asked Mrs. Ap- +.
pleton. Hadn't We better telephone
for doctor?"
"Or a superintendent OF lunatic
asylum" suggested her husband, With
a sheer. There's a law against sui
eide. I'm going to call for the police"
ooh, please don't!" cried Miss Digby,
wringing her hands.
At this moment a young fellow ap-
peared at the open door in his night
shirt. He was very pale. Whats the
matter?" he asked
go back to bed" said Mark.
CLARA" said the young man, who
was Tom Digby. the real invalid for
whom l had suffered, Il thought you
were going to give me my medicine at
IL o'clock"
l looked at Clara, wondering what
she would say. Would she give herself
away after all had done for her?
81 didn't wake up" she faltered.
We'll" said Mark, you women had
better go to your rooms. I'll see that
he's all right, remaining with him as
! long as necessary. Get along. all OF
| you"
| The ladies left us, Clara giving me a
| look that | construed to be one of graft
| tude. That it meant a great deal
could not doubt, but so many things
| that | couldn't be sure which predomi-
mated. As soon as they had gone Mark
said to me:
Have you got any more OF the stuff
about youE"
No" replied meekly. Il took 1t
all"
Where's the bOttle?"
1T wasn't liquid. 1t was tablets"
He looked at me- puzzled, then said:
There's something queer about this
1 don't understand it. Are you telling
the truth?'
My conscience began to prick me for
the lies l had told. At this last ques-
ton l weakened and went from black
lies to white lies.
Il am truly" l replied. Il took a
whole swallow of what is usually given
in drops
Il thought you said it was tablets
you Took"
so it was. I am speaking relative
ly."
You're lying. and you know you're
lying"
Mark remained with me awhile
longer. then consented to go back to
bed on my promise to call him If felt
the least need of assistance. Before
closing the door he turned and said:
Are you sure this-mania is over?''
"Oh. go to bed" I said impatiently.
II wish to go to sleep"
He gave me another suspicious look,
then left me.
The next morning when | appeared
at the breakfast table all looked at me
anxiously. Since my stomach had been
turned inside out l didn't look cheer.
full, and | didn't feel cheerful. especial
ly as to how | was to continue to lie
, about the cause OF the trouble. Clara
kept her eyes down on her plate dur
, ing the whole meal. Mrs Appleton
, looked as If she knew more than she
, cared to tell, and Mark looked like q
man who didn't know anything but
was very much disgruntled If he
. had been sure | had tried to commits
a suicide he would have felt more com
, Portable.
= Mrs. Appleton insisted on my going
d out on to the porch and lying on s
| wicker lounge, for the weather wa!
s warm, and I was very glad to do so
: During the morning when | was alon,
y Clara came out and, after trying t,
J, pull herself together by doing thing
i LOF HE l ulun [ neeu, suddenly 1ace<
@ me and said:
THANK you very much"
d ooh. yes. You're quite welcome"
o "You are very-very'-
II "WhatY'
G Accomplished liar"
Y Just so-in good cause. It's to
bad you didn't wake up in time to Civ
K your brother his medicine"
THAT wasn't entirely untrue"
y 81 think I took mine very we'll"
:. Indeed you did"
a 81 couldn't have poisoned myself +
t a better cause than for love. could I?
It NO" she said, turning away.
at came to me all of a sudden, bu
Z was no less real"
d There was no reply to this. l react