The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-01-09

soon? And how dreadful to see
them in the palatial home that had
heretofore housed only gentle
hammered aristocrats and obsequi.
Gus liveried servants The men
looked i'll at ease as they stood
against the rich background of
tapestry hangings and tropical
palms, but their faces showed a
stern appreciation Of their duty,
and they looked at Pauline with
deferential but acute scrutiny.
Not noticing them in any way,
the girl, her head held high, went
straight to her aunt's room. Ser
geant Flake was in charge, and he
refused her admission.
"Coroner's orders, ma am" he
said; "he1l be here himself
shortly, and then you can see
him."
Come away, Pauline" and
Haviland appeared and took her
by the arm where's Anita?"
II left her in Estelle's room.
oh, Gray, that girl"
"Hush!' and, gripping her
firmly, Haviland led her to a small
sitting room and shut the door.
"Now listen, Pauline; mind what
/ say. Don't give the least bit of
information or express the slight
est notion of opinion except to the
chief authorities. And not to them
until they ask you. This is a
terrible affair, and a mighty
strange one."
"Who did it, Gray?"
Never you mind. Don't even
ask questions. The very walls
have ears!"
Who upset that breakfast
trayp' =
"Estelle, of course"
"She says she didn't"
"She lies. Everybody will lie
why, Pauline, you must lie your
self" 49,
II won't do it! l have no rea-
son to!"
"You may find that you have.
But, at least, Pauline, / beg of
you, that you will keep your
mouth shut. There will be devel-
opments soon-there must be-
and then we will know what to
do"
The two returned to the bou-
doir. At first glance it seemed
to be full of men. The beautiful
room, with its ornate but harmo-
ious furnishings and appoint
ments of the Marie Antoinette
period, was occupied with eager
representatives of law and Justice,
hunting for any indication of the
ruthless hand that had felled the
owner of all that elegance.
Coroner Scofield was receiving
the report of DIR. Moore, who had
arrived with him.
DR.. Moore agreed with DIR.
Stanton that the deceased had
been struck with with a heavy
weapon that had fractured the
skull, but he admitted the wounds
showed some strange conditions
which could be explained only by
further investigation.
The coroner was deep in
thought as he studied the face of
the dead woman.
1T is most mysterious" he de-
clared; "that face is almost smil-
ingl 1t is the face Of a happy
woman. Clearly, she did not know
of her approaching fate"
"The> blow was struck from be-
hind" informed DR.. Moore.
even so, why didn't she see
the approach Of the assailant in
the mirror7 She is looking
straight into the large glass
must have been looking in it at
the moment of her death. Why
receive that death blow without
a tremor of fear. or even a glance
of startled inquiry"
Inspector Brunt stood by,
gravely, and for the most part
silently, watching and listening.
THAT might imply" he said,
slowly, ''that, if she did see the
assailant, it was some one she
knew and Of whom she had no
fear"
Gray Haviland looked up sud
denly. A deep red spread over
his face and then, seeing himself
narrowly watched by the detec-
ltives present, ne set his lips firmly
together and said no word.
Pauline turned white and trem.
bied, but she, too, said nothing.
Why is she sitting in this large