The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-05
XVI. CVNoDGIC

4 ScrSSdnC CI OcLccLlVcS, IS Sofil
 to the house. In attempting to
 unravel the mystery shroudinS Mrs. Lorne's. death, he visits tine office of pr. McCutcfen, where his suspicious are confirmed. Upon
 his return to the Lorne home he
 questions Christine Chalmers, the
 eldest daughter, as to her mo
 tive for the attempting to leave the house the day before. She refused to tel him
 What do you mean?' she demand ed through set teeth. How dare you say such hateful things to me? I have nothing to tell you that would be of any help in your investigation; and resent your attitude. your in,- pertinence!"
 Her voice was shaking now and the storm broke into tears of hurt pride. 'T am very sorry Odelfs tones . young lady, you will find the attitude of my superiors far more than inn pertinent if you compel me to take you before them."
 She sniffed in disdain and dried her her tears. ,.
 You would not dare." she scoffed. 'If you tried to charge me with knowing anything about the dreadful things that have been going on T should bring no charge. You would merely be compelled to tell the truth. Your personal antagon- ism will not be permitted to interfere
 
 Miss Chalmers, why did you announce your intention of leaving your home ?''
 "I didn't" she denied. " said would go and visit girl friend for a few days; the atmosphere of this house has gotten on my nerves
 She spoke in a more subdued tone. but still sullenly.
 "Then why did you tell your aunt this morning that you would not go near any of your friends and drag them into the notoriety of this case? Which was the falsehood, Miss Chal- ers?"
 ''Neither IT changed my mind this morning, that is all.''
 "Where had you finally decided to go?"
 where to get away from this house. w care none of us safe here.'
 Miss Chalmers, what precipitated your decision last night Was it the outburst which your younger brother made at the table, the outburst in which he voiced the vague fears you had all entertained for the last week?"
 T suppose so," she snuddered. Tt sounded so awful put into words or course, We are all dreadfully orry Tor Rannie--you have heard that he IS crippled ?-and we try to be patient with his moods; but you haven't seen him, you don't know him, Sergeant Odell. He is so bitter, and his tongue is so ruthless, that you Just
 
 know 1t must sound disloyal to speak so Of ones own brother; but he doesn't care for any one. his only pleasure is to torment and wound others Last night father threaten ed again to have him put away in a sanitarium; and I wish he would Aunt Fife is the only one who mas
 Miss Meade is very attached to him?" ;, Cissie shrugged. "It is her fault that
 Miss Meade's fault?" odell ased "Yes" There was little vindictive gleam In her round blue eyes. She dropped him when he was a ha9y, eSo Mas simply ido1ized him ever since Nemorse, I imagine-and spoiled him dVeadfuily None of the rest of us hAye ever counted with her; and she q gN through fire and water for him
 NWhy did your stepfather sugges' pla&ng him in sanitaTium! IS hls ninN affected ?' Odeifs tone "as still Sasual, and his eyes appeared tc be fastened upon the paperweigh which, he was balancing between his fineersA but in reality he was watchlne 2 each changing expression Of the slri face. e, s.No: I will scarcely say that She soijed scornfullv. i'Fe is quite the most brilliant member of the family Il IfJ son,ehow. Father meant santtariun for cripples out in the country; fo' Rannie is really an tnvaho' yo' II know. He spends most Of his tirn' N in bed with Aunt Efte nurslns ntIl III IT II ana subrnittinr to his abuse Atte |I last nights scene when he mocked N II all IT felt as if my nerves Jus II wouldn't stand any more: "You were saying muck the san , MI +binr to your aunt in the hall thu 4 ,ror1ine. and when she stopped yo' II she said she wished it had been you What did she mean ny that rei''ai ' .sr1,at if had been me whom sh Il dropped instead of Rennte mag inc 9 Cissie flashed resentfully. "Aun E;ffice is always hke trst M.,Gn So sav one word against ltannie- .. M nYou say he Is an invalid Is M weak physicallyE
 4 ''I4ds spine troubles hin a 2 sren gre ? deal st tiTrs ama e ne nss l, tpaIneat1ov strene-th in his hands and a-'',a Fl nsed to pinch ,ns black ard n!He @ wha he was in a temper as . ch1i6' 1.s4- ba1ted suddenly. and when she SOCK agair there was rising note of ar nrehensiop In her tones. Why ta ENk You asking me all those auessinr Aasout him. serseant mt, oaell ofo+,. Sare' "T,o you. Miss Chalmers?" F sbot the question at her: and ST tossed her head t'dignantly. but n' before he had t, seen 4,n,n her dsre G'la' yo, fl .,,ro,e e1Ich a thtpg, My brother a- ,,,rrdarer You must be mad Yer T-otce rose shril1y and then brok and she sank into her chair ana co, cred her face with both hands 70
 dcn't know what to thinki Son o,a of us must know! I am afraid afraid!"
 For some minutes after he hf brought his interview with Mi Chalmers to a close Barry Ode frau,ped back and forth across u librarv floor deep in thought. Al was patent that the young woman h. k1 lied when she mentioned a hotel . her proposed destination that nor
 ing. vet there had been truth and
 ring of desperation in her tone wh'
 sf,e defbed her aunt and declared tn
 efe had no intention Of going ne
 any of their friends. If Sanu