Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1924-11-21


icewater to her lips.
Mono user Ellen whispered.
staring at her. He's dead, Florence ]"
ITS his heart" Florence said, pale
herself Ellen ran on her way up
stairs.
Gibbs" she said, at his side, your
father-we found him in his chair
he's-I think he's dead-Gibbs--"
"Good Cd" he said violently. He
pushed her aside as he ran to the
door, Ellen stood still for moment
in the center of the room. Then she
called Lizzie.
Lizzie" she said, quivering. "a ter
rible thing has happened. Mr.. jesse
lyn's father has dropped dead. l want
you to keep Tommy in the nursery all
morning. Well have the doctor here
other people-and l don't want him
to know. He can play on his porch"
Depend on me, Mrs. Josselyn," Liz
zie said quietly. well. the poor old
man, God rest himr'
1T was, the quarrel-it was the
quarrel--and Gibbs will never forgive
himselfI" Ellen said to herself, as she
went slowly downstairs again.
The whole house was in confusion
now. Gibbs and Torrens were bend
ing over the dreadful figure In the
chair by the study fire, Florence how
cred near them, Keno and one or two
Of the other maids were grouped
fearfully near the door.
AS Ellen came in Torrens straight
ened himself, and looked at Gibbs.
'That wasn't heart failure, Mr..
Josselyn," he said quietly. He's shot
himself right through the heart-look
here, sir"
One of the girls gave hystericaI
scream, and Ellen cried out: "Oh, no
oh, no. why should he do that?"
But her eyes. and the eyes of every
one else in the room, went swiftly to
Gibbs; the son whose bitter quarrel
with him had broken the old mans
heart.
Get these girls out of the room.
Ellen" Gibbs said briefly. "And have
them fix my fathers bed, Florence;
we're going to get him upstairs" He
turned sharply to Torrens. What did
you say?"
II say that / don't think we had
better touch him, sir" the man an
swered. Wen have the coroner here,
sir, and he'll want to find things like
they are"
II guess you're right" Gibbs said.
after pause. staring at him duly.
Il guess you're right. Wen have to
have the coroner-whO is the coroner,
and where is he, do you known"
"Mineola," quavered one of the
maids.
YES. that's right" Torrens ap-
proved.
Il can telephone for him. sir" Flor
ence offered
II suppose you had better" Gibbs
said. "And telephone for Mr.. Lathrop.
at Sands Point"
eve did telephone George" Ellen
told him quickly; che is on his way"
"Do you know where to telephone
Mrs. JosselynT" Florence asked. re-
specially.
Ellen and Gibbs looked at each
other. It was the first time they had
thought of Lillian.
Eyes. telephone her at Mrs. Point
dexter's-" Ellen said hesitatingly.
Perhaps had better do that. Had
Torrens better go for her? It isn't
very far. I'll telephone and tell Mrs.
Pointdexter to prepare her somehow"
Immediately activities of all sorts
commenced. Torrens went off on his
errand. Florence went to the telephone.
and the maids scattered. Gibbs
seemed dazed; Ellen kept herself In
his neighborhood. Florence came back
from the telephone for advice; the
coroner had asked If they had seen
the revolver with which Mr.. Josselyn
had killed himself, sir.
Gibbs reused himself. Ellen saw
him brace himself to go into the room
of horror again. She went with him.
Presently Gibbs himself went to tell
the waiting coroner. at the telephone.
that they did not seem able to find the
weapon
'What did he say?' Ellen asked him.
"Said he was coming over" Gibbs
answered with weary indifference.
Presently George came in. breathing
cold air. pulling off his thick gloves,
and full of sympathetic distress. With
him came Joe, silent. full of sympathy.
Ellen felt them both towers Of
strength. In an incredibly short time
other men arrived. old Doctor Cutter.
and Corrigan, the coroner, stout,
cheerful-looking man, the sheriff and
his deputies. The lower hall, Ellen
noticed, was tracked with the mud Of
boots. 1t was all like dream.
George came to her. where she sat
forlornly In the hall. and told her to
go upstairs.
':Have a Hre,'' ne said kindly, ''ani
let Tommy come in and play. Try not
to let the thing scare you"
anoes lillian know p" ELLEN asked