New Britain herald., 1930-11-10

man think, Miss Conaldiue. that in spite of the present atmos- i phere of suspicion, your ignorance oi Mrs. Bartholomew identity will not be easily disproved. A more difficult problem will confront us in proving that you did not IT any way suggest to your father that Mir Broon's death would be for your happiness"
 "I see that if will be difficult Halle felt her voice tremble. "But surely the fact that I married Mr. Broom after an engagement Of some months and that was waiting to join him
 How did you come 10 be at Mrs, Bartholomew's last night The Broom house, it will be said. was ycur rightful home. And your hus- band. apparently, was there him. self"
 "I did not know that he was there. Ho-we planned 10 go abroad. And as a good deal Of luggage Of mine was still at Mrs. Bartholo- news, my idea was 10 pack and arrange things during the evening and leave with Lester. on the next day-that would have been today
 You corresponded while you were in Baltimore?"
 He wrote to me. l didn't answer, I'm afraid; I was very much occu- pied with my patient. You will see from his letters" she laid them on the table that he was very much i2 love with me"
 What I should like to he able 10 produce." Perle said, are letters from you 10 him, indicating that you were very much in love with him.
 T don't think ever wrote any such letters"
 Let us pass on, then. 10 the req son for your fathers hatred Of your husband"
 "G can only say that he did not think that should be happy with L,star."
 "They knew each other"
 "Well-my father knew Of Lester. And. apparently, while I was in Bal ,imore but before wo were mar ried-Lester called at Mrs. Barthol omew's for news Of me: and m father was rude 10 him"
 Did Mr. Broom ever come 10 the house again? ?'
 Hallie swallowed ncrNously
 He came last night but 1 didn, sec him"
 "Why not"
 twas very tired
 "A little unfortunate" he mur- mured. that yoU did not see your husband in spite Of your fatigue lou see. from the jury's point Of view, a young bride. forced by the exigencies Of her profession 10 postpone her honeymoon, would be as eager 10 meet her husband as h~ 10 meet her. When your husban 1 called did you know that 1t was hc?'
 "Oh, no, No. didn't know that lt was Lester"
 But when your father returned with his message, did you not finI 1 ii strange that your husband should not have insisted on seeing you @'' T gathered from what my father said that he had told Lester that | had not yet arrived"
 "A strange course for your father 10 pursue"
 You must remember s)am- merad Hallie. That my father didn't yant me 10 be Lcs,er's wife, Was there reason for such a strong aversion 9"
 Halhe looked al him in despair.
 Mir Broon's reputation" insisted Mir. ParIe. was perhaps not quite satisfactory from your fathers point or yiew2 Forgive m pressing this point. but did NJ. Broom drink more than"
 Yes. Yes" HalIie srasped at ttis. IL shot grotosqueIy through i her mind that Lester would not in the least mind being branded d ! habitual drunkard after his death. 1 I'm afraid he did drink" i An" MT. Perle sounded re- leved. Now, think very carefully. 1 Was Mir. Broom intoHcateI when hc came 10 your fathers houses las. night"
 "G believe hc Was" i "Ah,' said Mr. Perlr. And now 1 les us go over all these fact again. one by one
 An hour later HalIi. was begin nng 10 feel siddy with the strain 1 but Mir. Perle remained singularl, bind 10 her distress
 Naturally. my best services-mt 1 fuIl powers - will be at your dis posal." he said. And that brings u5 10 the other matter which lies between us. should like 10 broaco f without delay" | tF-9n+r,