The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-02

his companion. Guess we viii
both 60 right along with you.
The two officials climbed into the
machine. and as Frank started off
again, Sheriff Hulse asked:
"Teli us about It. One of the
guest OF tho party last night found
dead In the grounds?"
M; It's Miss Tudor herself
Miss Laurel Tudor. When Martha
took chocolate upstairs to the two
young ladies' Just now she found
Miss Fay all right, but she couldn't
wake the other one and then dis
covered that she was dead She
didn't wait 70 disturb Mrs. Tudor,
but ran downsta RS to the cook,
and they decided to have me so for
Doctor Green"
A few words sufficed to explain
the situation to the country prac-
titioner, and he Joined them in the
Tudor car. They found Martha. the
cook, and Louise awaiting them on
the side porch.
In the meantime, Fay, who had
stirred at Martha's first entrance,
found that sleep would not return
to her. She sat up upon one elbow
and called. Laurel" softly, but,
received no reply, decided that she
would permit her cousin to sleep
unfsturbed.
Surely Laurel was lying in a pc
culiarly uncomfortable position!
Her head was hanging so far over,
and could It be that she was cold?
/ There was a peculiar blush tinge
to tho flesh Of her arm.
Scarcely knowing what prompted
the quick, half-suffocating sensa-
ton OF alarm which caught her by
the throat, Fay threw herself out
OF bed and approached that still
figure.
Her work in tho devastated re-
gions Of France had brought her
, into contact with death in SO many
violent, hideous form that one
glance sufflced to tell her the truth.
With a wordless cry of horror she
slipped unconscious to the floor.
what Is the, matter, Martha?"
the physician asked. Frank tells
me that Miss Laurel is dead"
Eyes. doctor! She Is lying there
just as though she were asleep I'M
til you get a glimpse of her face!
, It's all blue-like and horrible.
HAS Mrs. Tudor been awakened?
Does she know"
81 didn't dare! Will you come up
now, sire"
I The doctor nodded and followed
the girl upstairs to that silent room
with the motionlcss figure upon the
bed and the senseless one beside
II.
Hello. what have we here? Miss
Fay must have been told. Help me
lift her, Martha. Is there q spare
bedroom across the hall?"
/ "Yes. right next door to the one
poor Mr. Wilbur used to occupy. .
AS the unconscious form was
borne from the room the doctor
benttoyer the body lying GU the
bed. ~
i He Ftraightened and there was a
peculiar hard CLINT in the direct
gaze which he bent upon the ser
! want.
! is It the usual thing for Mis-:
Laurel and her cousin to sleep to-
gether? They always share the
same room?"
/ Eyes. Since Miss Fay's return
from France. they have occupied
this room together, Just as they
always did when they were little
girls"
do they always sleep with the
windows closed like this?"
mo, wide open. l closed them
myself when I brought the choco-
late in this morning, because the
rain was beating in frightfully."
you arc sure Of that, Martha
You are positive that the windows
were wide open all night?"
"Positive!' Martha gazed at hin
for a moment In establishment, and
then approached the nearest OF the
windows. "Sec, the carpet and cur.