The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-02

place Is here until the doctor comes. Eat your breakfast, child, and try to you no good to brood over it. You can be of real help if you keep brave and calm, but 1t will be quite other wise if you get hysterical."
 He did not see the adoring glance she gave him, nor did he realize how subsequent behavior. For Helen Pey- ton was suffering from shocked nerves, and only Lockwood's advice would have been needed by her.
 She returned to the dining room saying, quietly, Gordon will come fast, mother, and try to be brave and strong"
 It was not more than 15 minutes later that Lockwood joined them.
 He took his seat at the table and as he shook out his breakfast napkin he said:
 pr Greenleaf is there now. He says Dr. Waring was stabbed, not shot He says the instrument was round and pointed, not flat like a knife.''
 Who did ity' asked Helen, wide eyed.
 "It must have been suicide, Helen, for, as you know, the room was locked. How could any one get in or out ?"
 "But how absurd to think of pr. Waring killing himself!" The girl looked more amazed than ever. 1 He never killed himself" stated Mrs. Peyton. Why, you know that man had everything to live for! Just about to be married. just about to be president of the college-full of life and thusiasm-suicide! Nonsense"
 I'm only telling you what the doc- tor said. And you know yourselves al roomm
 Mrs. Peyton spoke sharply to the | butler who was quite evidently drinking in the conversation.
 He must not hear all We say" she observed after the butler had disap- peared.
 gone?" asked Lockwood, suddenly. 1 Yes he's gone" Mrs. Peyton said and l can't understand it. I didn't think he'd stay, he didn't like the duties at all--you know hes just learning to be a butler-but queer he went off like that. Ills wages are 1 due for three weeks"
 Hell be back then" surmised Lockwood. Now, what shall we do first? The faculty must be notified of this tragedy and also, Mrs. Gates must be told. Which of you two will |
 You go, Helen," said her mother after a moments thought. q ought to be here to look after the house, and anyway. dear, you can do it wisely and gently. Mrs. Bates likes you, and after all, 1t can be soon told"
 "Oh. can!t" cried Helen, dis mayed at the thought of tho awful errand.
 Yes, you can," and Lockwood looked at her with a firm kindliness, You want to be of help, don't you Helen? Well, here's one thing you can do that will be of great assist ance to your mother and to me. Fr on us two must fall most of the sad duties of this day"
 But what can I say? What can I tell her?1
 Just tell her the facts as far as you know them yourself. She will guess from your own agitation that something has happened. And then you will tell her, as gently as you can. Be a true woman, Helen, and l remember that though your news must break her heart, yet she'd far rather hear 1t from you than from some less sympathetic messenger"
 'Tll do it." said Helen, struggling bravely to keep her tears back.
 That's a good girl Run right along, now, for i'll news flies fast, and rumors may get to her before you reach there"
 Now about that Nogi," Lockwood said, thoughtfullX, Call Ito back, please, Mrs. Peyton."
 .When did you see Nogi last?' tho secretary asked of the butler. When came home last night, sir. Sunday Is my holiday! I returned about 10, and as I found Nogi with his duties all properly done, and dt his post, I went to bed. I found this morning that he had not been In his bed at all. His clothes are gone, and all his belongings. think he will not come back"