Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-02

ASH UtOlQC AdiE C0I1C0 al sui
lets like baby's about her head
and whose deep violet eyes were
wide with alarm.
"Oh, Vera, what is the NATTER"
she cried. Lefty looks as though
She had seen a ghost and mother
never in the world would appear
like that before any one in the
morning unless there was some
frightfully important reason for her
to leave her room, Why didn't she
call me and what was Lefty saying
to you Just now"
1--WE didn't think you were awake"
vera sought to draw the younger
girl back. Come into your room.
dear"
II won't be treated like child"
Mildred wrenched herself free. Il
don't mean to be rude. but there is
something YOU are keeping from me
and / must know, If you won't tell
me. i am going straight down
stairs"
''Then you will displease your
mother and" Vera paused, bit
ing her lips. then went on deter
minedly, land your uncle very
much. Come and / will tell you the
little I know myself of what has
happened. We cannot talk out
here"
Your hands are like ice and your
voice-your voice doesn't seem like
you at all. somehow The other
girl began to sob Historically but she
retreated into her room. permitting
her companion to follow and close
the door. Tell mel"
. MY dear, you must try to con-
troll yourself. It Is about your uncle:
he has suddenly been taken ill. Carp
is with him and he sent Lefty up
stairs for your mother. who asked
me to wait here and keep you with
me-" Vera looked away but she
gave the explanation in a steady.
quiet tone. Perhaps we had better
dress, though, for your uncle may
ceive people: the doctor or possibly
ciates from town"
She moved to the dressing table
and commenced to unbraid her
heavy, shining hair with fingers that
shook suddenly.
"Uncle Joe ill.," Mildred's sobs
had ceased and she stared in amaze
ment, but there was a singular alb
sence of solicitude in her voice.
why, he can't be. Vera. He's never
known days illness in his life.-
There, the telephone is ringing.
Don't you hear it,"
"They must be sending for the
doctor. 1t is touch of the sun
from yesterday. probably. for Lefty
said something about your uncle'S
head" Vera replied, without turn
ing. Come and dress, Millie."
Meanwhile, Mrs. Cayley had
crossed the patio to the dividing
rope and stood for a moment mo-
tionless. looking beyond it to that
which lay in front of the BENCH. An
odd. choking sound came from her
throat, and she made gesture as
though to start forward But she
restrained herself and remained
there tense and quivering in every
nerve until Lefty came up to her
and all but cried out at sight of her
face.
"Oh, ma'am, don't look like that!
T told you'll told you what had
happened. Just you let me know
what you want done and I'll do 1t!
Henry Carp's gone all to pieces but
you know II can keep my head,
and Geoff Peters is right outside on
the terrace"
Was there q covert warning as
we'll as personal assurance in the
housemaid's speech? Mrs. Cayley
gave no visible sign Of recognizing
either. but she asked in a hushed
though peremptory tone:
What has been done"
!'Nothin' but to put this rope up
here. Geoff did that: he said no.
body ought to go anywhere's near
and track up the sand on the floor
until-until the doctor was got He
said that in--in trouble like this the
doctor would take charge Of things
call the man in Mrs. Cayley
gave one last, shuddering glance at
her brothers body, and then. draw
ing her negligee more firmly about
her throat, she turned to the butler.
who was striving feebly to gather
himself together. Don't try to rise.
Carp. You found Mr.. Bernhard.
Lefty tells me. Was he--like this?
Are, you quite sure that he had al
ready passed away?
But habit was strong in the old
servant, and he made one more final
effort to get upon his feet before
sinking back inertly in the seat.
Il beg pardon. madam. but 1--we
a gone feeling. somehow. 1t was me
found MIR. Bernhard. as Lefty says,
and that not half an hour ago.
"He was the way you see him now.
and there wasn't any need to go near
him." The quavering voice faltered
and then went on: II can't think
what could have happened, madam.
left him here alone. smoking and
looking out through those open
doors at the Sound. all shivery-like
in the moonlight. He said ] was to
go to bed, that he would lock up
later"
For an instant the faded eyes met
the dry. burning ones of his mis-
tress furtively. and it was almost as
though question and answer of an
other sort had passed mutely be
tween them, for Carp's shrunken
body seemd to sag still more and
Mrs. Cayley turned slightly from
him. Then she remarked:
"I cannot think what is keeping
Tetty: l sent her for the stone
mason. Godfrey, and she said he was
just outside on the terrace. Carp,
are you quite sure that was all Mr..
Bernhard said to you?"
She added the last In a low. hur-
ried tone, as if it were forced from
her lips. and the buffers gaze met
hers once more, this time in steady
candor.
THAT was all. madam, except that
I was TO be sure cook had breakfast
for him on time this morning. He