Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-03
A PAPER SNAKE.

A PAPER SNAKE.
On the third floor was the bedroom
OF the maid, Estelle, and before ite
|locked door stood Pauline and Anita,
demanding admittance. There was
no response from inside, until Pauline
said sternly, Unless you open thil
door at once, Estelle, the police will
force it OPEN"
The key turned, the door moved
slowly ajar and Estella's face APP
peared, wearing an expression Of
amazement.
What is it you say, Miss Pauline
The police? Why?" -
The maid was making a veky evil
dent effort to appear composed, and
was succeeding wonderfully well. -He1
eyes were Redeemed with weeping-a
condition which a hasty dabbing of
powder had not concealed. She was
%nervously trembling, but her air OF
injured innocence, if assumed, wa
admirable.
%"Estellc," and Pauline doomed tall
and magnificent as an accusing angel,
what do you know of your mistress
death?" :,
Estelle gave a Shrek and threw
herself on her bed in apparent hys-
terics.
Don't begin that!", ordered
Pauline, "sit up here and tell the
truth"
But" and the maid sat up, Sob
bling, Il know nothing. How can II"
"Nonsense! You took the tea-tray
to her at eight o'clock. What did you
see?" ~,
Estelle shrugged her shoulders. 81
saw Miss Darlington sitting before her
mirror. She, l assumed, was engross-
ed in reverie, so l set down the tray
on a tabouret and departed" =
You noticed nothing amiss? ?" said
Anita, staring at the girl.
mo; l scarce looked at the lady.
and 1 had no wish to annoy her. /
set down the tray with haste and
silently departed"
You set it down? Who;> then,
Overturned? is it then upset7'
Estelle'A was the impersonal
one of the trained servant. who must
show surprise at nothing, but it was
a tri1e overdone.
"Estelle, stop posing. Wake up to
realities. Miss Darlington is deadl
Do you hear? Dead!"
All! Mon Dieu! Did it then, kill
herr" and Estelle's calm gave way
and she screamed and moaned in wild
Mysteries. 81 y
What can We do with herr" asked
Anita, helplessly; she must know all
about the-the-"
"The murder" said Pauline calmly,
But she will tell us nothing. 1t is
useless to question her. The Coroner
will attend to it, anyway
The Coroner" and Anita looked
frightened. "Will he question all OF
u.s." :
"Of our he will. And, Anita"
Pauline whirled OF her suddenly.
what are you. going to say was the
errand that took YOU to Aunt Lucy's
room after one o'clock last night?"
/ Il! Nothing of the sort! l. was
not in her room after we left it to-
gether."
II saw you. Don't trouble to deny
it." and Pauline dropped her eyelids
as one bored by a conversation.
You did," and Anita's flower face
turned rosy pink and her blue eyes
blazed with an intensity that Pauline'e
dark ones could never match. BE
careful, Pauline Stuart, or. 1 shall tell
what / know! You dare to make up
such a story! 1t was I who saw you
come from your aunt's room at a late
hour! What have you to say now :"
"Nothing-to you," and Pauline
swept from the room and returned
slowly down the stairway to the sec
ond floor.
The sight of two police officers in
the hall gave her a sudden start.
How had they appeared, so soon?
And how dreadful to see them in tho
palatial home that had heretofore
housed only gentle-mannered aristo-
Gratis n obsequitious liveriedf serv-
ants! The men looked Ill at ease %
they stood against the rich back
ground of. tapestry hangings and
tropical palms. but their faces show
ed a stern appreciation Of their duty,
and they looked! at Pauline with
d~eferential but acute scrutiny.
Not noticing them in any way, the
girl, her head held high, went straight
to her aunt's room. Sergeant Flake
was in charge, and. he refused her ad.
mission.
'Coroner's orders. ma'am," he said;
hell be here himself shortly, and
then you can zee him. y
Come away, Pauline" and Havi-
appeared and took her by the
arm: where's Anita2" Ny
Il left her in, Estelle's room. oh
"Hush!" and gripping her nrmly.
room AND shut the. door. Now lis
ten. Pauline: mind what I say. Don't
give the least bit Of information or.
express the slightest notion OF opinion
except to theAchief authorities. And
not to them until they ask you. This
is a terrible affair, and q mighty
strange one" Il
Who did It, Gray7"
Never you mind. DON'T even ask,
questions. The very walls have earsl"
Who upset that breakfast trsy?"
"Estelle, of course"
"She says she didn't."
"she lies. Everybody Will lie;awhy,
Pauline. you must lie yourself"
- won't do It! ] have no reason,
You may find that you have. But,
at least. Pauline. I beg OF you, that
you will keep your mouth shut There
will be develorments 1don-ther1
must be-and then We Will know
what to do" gs IA
The two returned 10 the boudoir.
At first glance It sesrned TO be ful& OF,
men. The beautiful room, with III
ornate but harmonious fuInisbfngs'
and appointments of the Marie AM
t0instte period, Nas occupied with
eager representatives Of the law and
Justice hintin1 tor any indication d.
the ruthless hand that hAdsfelied thu
owner ofSaIf thaA ~oISglnce.#
Coroner Scofiejd wa feceiving the
report of Doctor Moore. who had ar.
v sstsssS- ls4r 1850