New Britain herald., 1929-03-14

alely to strike from his mouth.
 Suppose we get down to brass tacks. Miss Manning. I'll tell you a few things. and then you tell me few. Tit for tat. Fair exchange. with awful casualness. then paused to watch the blood slowly drain from Martha Manning's thin face, leaving the rouge spots in ghastly relief. "A son you have tried to force Harry Borden to recognize and support as his illesitimate child"
 Stop" Martha Manning half rose from her chair, leaned toward the detective with clenched, trem- strike him. Harry Borden did not deny that he was the father of my son. He knew oh. my God. how well he knew" and she sank back into her chair and pressed her knuckles to her mouth to stifle the , sobs that were shaking her whole, frail body.
 McMann was apparently un- moved. He went on relentIessly: 1ou loved this man, you bore him son. you lived with him for years, and yet for months before his death he would not even speak to you on the telephone. He left orders wit h his secretary and with his man. servant that if the woman with the contralto voice. called, Mr. Henry r. Borden was not in How do you account for this, Miss Manning"
 The woman raised her head. and with tisha-clasoed hands, fought d moment for self-control T asked something of Mr. Borden which he would not-or could not-do. l. demanded that he marry me. so that our son might bear his fathers name"
 What do you moan-could not ?" McMann caught her up.
 He told me that Mrs. Borden would not give him diyorcc. She kneW-about my baby, and was de- 'eflnlned ihat her own children should never knew of their fathers sin, When I insisted, Harry-Mr. Borden-left me"
 "Eecauso h" had fallen in love with Cleo Gilman. Isn't that more ilkH II /? MCM1un interrupted
 The woman shrank against her chair, but only her great, tormcntcl brown eyes answered, with such pltlful appeal that Ruth's own eyes stunS with sni lcn tears.
 And so," McMann went on. "vou followed him about, telephoned him here al his office and al his home wrote him letters which he did not answer. made an excuse to enter another office in this building so that you could observe your in- tended victim. then, by lucky chance. discovered how you could use that other office as the scene of your crime-'
 No, mo-" Martha Manning screamed, springing to her feet. her eyes blazing. but her face ashen, except for those ghastly spots of rouge. You're cowardly. despca- hle! You Know you have no founda- ton for charge like that"
 'l haven't made any charge yet" McMann reminded her grimlv. as he 100 rose anad pushed back his chair. Come here. Miss Manning," and the defective seized one of the Woman's wrists and drew her by force 10 the window looking out upon the airsilaft. "Look." and he pointed 10 the opposite window Whose office is that?"
 The woman snatched her impris- on"d hand from the detectives hold and rubbed her rcddened wrist 'I -dont know. How should I?"
 hen let me remind you" Me Mann retorted. That is the private office of MT. John C. Hayward. in surance broker, the very agreeable and handsome young man you con- suited. not so long ago. on the sub Ject Of policy in favor of your son. Do you remember now 9"
 Martha Manning seemed suddenly 10 get control of her tortured nerves. Almost calmly. though Ruth though she moved hastily over the spot where Borden's life blood had ebbel away, the woman walked across the room and took her seat again. It was not until the detective was also seated that she answered his question::
 'I did consult Mr. Hayward about insurance. but that is not usually considered d criminal offense, Mr McMann."
 And how did you happen 10 pick out that particular insurance bro-