Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-02
r. J"
THE TRAGEDY.

The house faced the east, and, built
on an English model, was far wider
than deep. A broad hall ran through
the centre from front to back, and on
either side there were successive
rooms whose windows looked ou on
equally beautiful scenes; both front
and back. On the right of the hall.
room, and beyond it, the library and
music roon. The other side of the
hall was a reception room, opening
INTO n sun parlor, and on. to the
conservatory. and back Of thexe. the
dining DOM. and smaller breakfast
room. EE a=. = rt:r-r ;
Breakfast was served at nine, and
the members of the family were usu-
ally all present. Miss Darlington.
partly from habit. and also because
it gave e opportunity to chide
those who were late.
When she was not in her place, on
the morning after the stormy bridge
game, Pauline expressed surprise, and
Haviland echoed her words.
But Anita said scornfully, "She
went to bed in an awful tantrum and
probably didn't sleep WELL"
Mss Frayne was looking her pref
test, and her roseLeaf face with its
fluffy golden halo. was like a Greuze
picture. She wore a frivolous little
house gown OF blue crepe de chine
that just matched her forget-me-not
eyes. Not especially appropriate garb
for a secretary. but Miss Carrington
.preferred her household to be we'll
dressed, and really commanded pretty
tints and fabrics for the two girls.
Pauline was in white serge, of rather
severe cut, but which suited her as no
frl1lC and fnI1nroo 1r,,lI IJ1a LIz-1,
hair was smoothly parted and coiled
low over her ears, and her clear ivory
tinted skin was flushed. family pink
from the glow of the big, cracking
wood fire.
IT'S most unusual went on
Pauline. after a few moments more
had passed, and: the. Lady Lucy had
not appeared. I'm going up to see
il she. is ili-or-'.S1 =.
dinary!" saidtAnita, her blue eyes full
OF laughing d~isrespect for her en-
ployer.
Mia" said Haviland, as Pauline
disappeared. hold your breakfast
napkin up in front of, your face.
Quick!"
"Why?" said the girl, wonderingly,
as she did his bidding.
Because il you hadn't, 1 should
have flown at you: and kissed you!
And 1. mustn't now, for -Haskins is
approaching. with mullins"
Down"cameT the Shielding napkin
and only the arrival Of the muffin
laden Haskins saved the lovely laugh
ing a C from HavAand's impetuous
caress. ' - II
The old. butler fused about, ana
several minutes PASSED, when Pauline
called from above stairs, Gray! Come
here, at once"
desperate case!!" and ..Hayiland
pinching Anita's little ear as he pass
ed her. 4.
Another moment and Miss Frayne
heard an exclamation from Haviland
tina made her rise from the table
and go flying upstairs herself.
The door of Miss Lucy's boudoir
Der and entering, she saw
Pauline and Haviland with horror
stricken faces gazing at a terrible
sight.
Miss Lucy Darlington, seated before
her dressing-table, her. face white
and CHASTITY, her large eyes staring
wide-staring horribly-but, without
doubt, unseeing. Nor was this all Of
the strangeness of the sight. She was
robed in an embroidered Oriental
looking gown, and, wore many jewels.
Her red-dyed hair, dressed elaborate
ly, as she had worn it the night be-
fore, was still crowned with the en-
ormous comb Of carved tortoise-shell,
but the comb was broken to bits.
One portion, still standing upright,
rose above the d~isordered couture,
but the rest in broken scraps, lay
scattered over the puffs Of hair-over
the white hands clasped in her lap
and on the floor at her feet.
What does it mean? ?" whispered
Anita, shuddering, lis she-is she
dead?' -, ~ H.
YES" answered Haviland, briefly.
He stood, hands in pockets. gazing at
the startling figure.
"Who?-What-" Anita's eyes
riveted themselves on something else.
Around the. neck of Miss Lucy a
yes. it was-a snake!
With a low scream, Anita flung her
self into Haviland's arms, but ne put
her gently away from him..
Aghast at this repulse, Anita put
her hand across her ~ n turned
to leave the room.
Mind where you go, 'Nita!" called
Haviland, and the girl stopped
just in time to save herself from step
ping into afmass Of debris.
why" she cried. why, It's Miss
Lucy's tray!'
1t was. The silver tray that had
held the breakfast tea was on the
floor, and near it a jumbled heap of
silver and, broken china that had once
been a costly 'Sevres set. Dainty,
$50