New Britain herald., 1925-12-02
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slowly toward the alcove, "I am Barbara Hawlcy of the Telegraph, Can you give me some of the de- tails of the murder? Did anyone see her fire the shot"'
 The woman neither spoke nor moved. Barbara walked around in front of here and stopped. The woman was staring straight ahead, her hands were clasped in her lap Her face was pale and finely moId. ed. and her hands were dclicu'r, Tho woman went on staring at the | wall evidently unaware of Bar ! bara's presence.
 but what can you tell me about the murder"
 The woman stirred and turned her eyes upward toward Barbara. They were dark eyes, heavily ringed with shadows.
 What did you say?" she said 10 Barbara. Her voice was clear and well moduated.
 T said, Can you tell me about 1 the murdor""
 At the last word, the woman shrank slightly, and lowered her eyes to the stain on the wall at which she had been staring.
 There's nothing to tell" she said, wearily. T shot him. That's all,"
 Barbara gasped. "You-" she be- gan, and stopped. She looked moro closely at the woman, and noted that her black dress was beautifully cut and Of rich material, her hose were sheer and her slippers exquisite. A cloak of black fur lay on the floor
 beside her. Barbara looked at the door, through which the spanglcs had gone.
 wheeled about. "They're trying 10
 make me tell who l am and who my family are, But I'll never do fl, I'll die first. It's none of their busi-
 ness. He left mo and l shot him. loved him and it's my affair."" She
 lapsed again into silence.
 Barbara was bewildered and em-
 barrassed. She was searching for
 words that would not strike too
 cruelty upon the cars of the gentle twoman before her, when the door
 opened again and Bob came in.
 Barbara crossed the room. "Wlo
 vas that awful woman in spangles '''
 she whispered.
 That's Nellie Marie" answered
 Bob. She's run this place for years. Has a dance room behind this one and her record includes about , six murders in the place. But Nellie Marie always goes clear. Nobody could ever connect her with any of them.
 This time, though, think they've got the goods on her for liquor, at least. Hope the police will paddock the place for good. It's a hell hole. y
 Then, holding his head toward the
 alcove, Bob whispered, "Will she talk?" And when Barbara shook her head, he continued, ''They've found letters in her bag. She's the sister of Senator Blodgett, all right. 1ts a great story. You pick up all the
 atmosphere you can and prepare to do sob story on her. As soon as M, } have talked to the cops and lOO%' l around a bit, we'll beat it back iu the office"
 The woman in the alCovc was rlS- ing. She gathered her cloak up from the floor and with stately gcsrr' flung it around her shoulders. Hcl head was very high. "I heard what you said" she cried And it IS a great story. It will ) ruin my brother and my mother = But it cant do anything 10 me. I'm 3 done for, anyway, and l don't care. : Then, more quietly, with awistfuI ] look at Barbara, she added Its life
 that did it. You'll learn. It's life! . and you cant beat life no matter l how clever you think you are." Barbara met her eyes and turned l toward the door. Bob followed her r Outside, the policeman offered tC l show them where the shot was fired |. "You go with him, Bob," said
 Barbara, "I'll wait in the car. Eyed by a group of evil-looking l men on the opposite side of the street Barbara climbed into the rae
 CT.
 The words of the murderess were :, still in her ears-"You'll learn. You can't beat life."