The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-02-13
CHAPTER NING (Continued.)
at is not for me to boast Of my
attraction for q ladY.N

v hSblou " " lHN'J
Count Charlier simpered 6
little, and Gray Haviland looked
at him with a frown of undis.
guised scorn. Haviland had never
aiked the Count; indeed, he even
doubted his right to the title, and
especially had he feared a mar
Tiage between him and Miss Lucy.
And, granting that this feeling
was partly due to a consideration
of his own interests, Haviland also
distrusted the Frenchman and
doubted Miss Lucy's happiness as
his wife.
"Did Miss Darlington leave you
q bcquest Of $4,000 in United
States bonds?" went on the cor
oner.
ell don't know" and the
Count stammered in an embar-
raised way.
"You do know!" shouted Havi-
land "the will has been read, and
you know perfectly well that such
Z bequest was left to you"
"Why did you deny the knowl-
sdge9' asked Scofield sternly.
"Tm-I'm not sure-"
"You are sure!" stormed Gray.
"Now, where were you when Miss
Darlington spoke those words to
you9 If not in her boudoir, then
on the balcony outside the win
dow, perhaps"
"Absurd," said the coroner.
"Not at ALL" said Gray ,"that
window opens on a balcony en-
closed by glass. 1t is easily
reached from outside by, a small
staircase, mostly used in summer,
but always available. How could
Miss Darlington speak to the
Count concerning the bonds and
concerning her infatuation for
himself, which is no secret, unless
he were there before herg And
how could he be in the room-in
her boudoir-unknown to the
servants9 Moreover, Mr.. Coroner,
] believe the glove found in Miss
Carrington's hand to be the prop
erty Of Count Charlier."
0But not" cried the witness ex-
citedly II have repeatedly dis
claimed that glove. 1t is not mine;
/ know not whose it is. | know
nothing Of this sad affair, what
ever. If the money is left to me,
as | have been told, it is IA sur
prise to me-
"Surprise nothing!" murmured
Haviland, but he said no more to
the Count.
IF my story might. be told
now ventured Mrs. Froth-
ingham.
After a moments hesitation
Coroner Scofield decided to let
her tell it, as having a possible
Bearing on Count Charlier's testi-
@eny.
The rather stunning looking
widow was fashionably dressed,
and she fluttered with an air of
Importance as she took the stand.
She related again the story she
had told Of the supposed burglar
whom she saw leaving the living
room, by way Of a window at 4
o'clock on Wednesday morning.
How can you be so sure it was
q burglar?'' asked Scofield.
Aloa, he looked like one. All
huddied up, you know, and his
face buried between a high coat
collar and a drawn down cap. And
he walked slyly-sort of glided
among the shrubs and trees, as if
avoiding notice. No man on legiti-
mate business would skulk like
that
Might it not have been Count
Charlierf' asked the coroner
bluntly.
Certainly not!!'' and Mrs.
buckingham gave a little shrek.
1.-THE Count is 4 slim and elegant
figure this was q stocky, bury
man q marauder, I know
It may be, said the coroner
wcariiy. at may be that q bur-
glar was concealed ia the house,
AZ letin BY 3 servant, and that.
y attacked Miss Darlington as
1 Ne ! was seated at her dressing
ltehle. It seerDs Impossible thatshe.
saOnld have administered poison
fO her, however, and the con-
igDlined circumstances may indicate
dOllusion b8tWeen-z
sBetWcen whom askedi In,
spcctOrS Brunt
sssstI don't kRassls, confessed SEQ
kellldas ss1 RIlssry Mwsx try to think
y SA3fn5Auninat# ~