New Britain herald., 1926-08-28

look at her! Whatever has she been
a dom to herself?"
For it was a strange Myra Heath
they saw.
Instead of her usually pale face
and colorless lips, they saw a scarlet
mouth, of exquisite shape; cheeks
delicately rouged, with beautiful eff
feet; eyebrows finely pencilled and
showing their true arch; and a hint
of color at the roots of the long
lashes, that, upturned. showed wide
open eyes, fixed in the stare of
death.
Don't stand there like a ninny,
Pierce!" the butler cried out. I'VE
must tell somebody-we must call
Mr.. Heath"
"Of course.-of course,-"res-
ponded the flustered woman. You
go and tell him, Herrick. You're the
one to 60"
So, slowly, Herrick turned away
from the terrible yet fascinating
sight, and slowly climbed the stairs.
He knocked at try Heath's door
but heard no response. Repeated
knocks brought no word from with
in, and SO Herrick gently pushed
open the door.
There was no one there, and the
bed had obviously not been slept in.
This was amazing. and Herrick's
legs trembled under him.
Nonplussed, and uncertain what to
do next, the butler hesitated, and
then went along the hall to Law
renee 1nman's room. and knocked
there.
who is it? What's the matter?"
Inman called, and Herrick heard
him jump out of bed and open the
door.
Inman faced the man with look
of surprise, for guests were not call
ed of morning in this house.
"If you please, SIR" Herrick be-
gan, there's - there's trouble be-
low"
Trouble below" Larry rubbed
his eyes. What do you mean?
Speak out, man."
well, sir, Mr.. Heath, sir, he amt
III HIS room.
Where is he?"
81 don't know, sir. And Mrs.
Heath, she's she's dead, l think"
What. Herrick, what are you
talking aboL.? You been drinking?"
mo, sir. But 1 tell you there's
great trouble on. Mrs. Heath, sir,
I tell you she's dead, sir"
Herrick's excitement made him in
coherent, and without waiting to
dress, Inman flung on dressing
gown, over his pajamas, I'D pushing
the man aside, hurried down the
stairs.
He went straight to the studio,
and gave gasp as he looked down
at the PROSTATE figure on the floor.
The two candles were still burn
ing, but they were guttering and al
most burnt out.
Myra lay in composed position,
but with strange accessories. Her
gown, the one she had worn the eve
ming before, was of white georgette,
simply made. But across the bodice,
now, was flung the deep crimson
oSdIL tlleiI was DullHy d huullu ueI
neck was a heavy string of large, al
most barbaric beads, of red and gold,
Instinctively Inman glanced up at
a light sconce, where these beads
usually hung, as a sort of decorative
touch.
Their place was empty. Had Myra
declIed herself in these things?
He gazed at her face. Always
beautiful, in her calm pale way, she
was far more so now, with the color
on cheeks and lips, with the dark
touches that made her eyes look
large and striking, and with the
scarf of American Beauty red, en-
livening her white dress.
And the candles,-two of those
from the long studio table,-stand-
ing in their brass candlesticks at
her head and feet, still family alight.
but Just ready to flicker out, these
gave the effect of shrine or a
st: nse ceremonial of some sort.
"Oh, my Cod" Larry eroaned, as
q man will, who does not know what
else to say.
4