The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-30
CHAPTER XXI.

DuC tney Curneu upon MIN as lie eHCeTeu,
"You are very punctual, George"
"a man of business ought to be. But
[ had quite forgotten about my present,
in the pain of seeing you ILL" And he
took morocco case from his pocket, and
put it into her lap. .
"What is it?" .
"You will see"
"Drink your coffee FIRST, and then we
Will admire IL together"
Lis cup was on the table; hers was al
ready empty. He drank the contents,
and then unfastening the clasp, drew out
magnificent diamond and ruby neck
lace, which he fastened on her ueck.
'There, my darling" he said, kissing
her tenderly; "our speculation promises
to succeed so well that could afford to
be extrayagant; and, therefore, as could
not persuade Mrs. Beloe to come, I have
brought this instead. All"
He sat down suddenly, and the lips
which had just touched hers lovingly,
changed color.
"My love-I feel-very-strange!" he
SUoPCu OIU, WUluCI WlldU Ctl Uc-Uue
-matter?" ....
She looked at him with kind of hor-
ror and repugnance impossible to de-
scribe; whilst he, trying to reach sofa,
staggered and fell at her very feet.
She stopped then, and bent over him,
calm and cold. His eyes were already
glazed, and that gray shadow was on his
face which comes only before death.
A quick, convulsive movement, and all
was over. Then she rose to her feet,
slowly, and softly, and went down stairs
into the hall. A large lamp was burning
here, but Euphemia groped her way, as
If in darkness, and she must be careful
OF each step she took.
The great door was closed, but it was
neither bolted nor locked, so that by lift
ing the latch with both hands she could
manage to get it open.
1t was soft, cool, pleasant night, but
Euphemia shuddered convulsiveiy as she
stepped out under the stars. Pure and
peaceful as the scene was it brought no
calm to her lost spirit-no purity or peace
to the wretched creature whose uncon-
scious hand had just taken the life Of a
fellow creature.
Along the pleasant lanes, and across
the green meadows, all so still, and sweet,
and fragrant, went the shadowy figure,
with those wonderful eyes eating into the
bland pallor of her face. ANY one who
had met her might have taken her for a
ghost, she looked SO strange and unreal
and the frozen beauty of her face was SO
unnatural and strange. She made un-
erringly for the vicarage, and when she
reached it, she went boldly in. Mr.. Ur-
win used neither bar nor bolt, fearing no
man, and having nothing to tempt rob-
ber Euphemia, therefore, penetrated to
the inner apartments without difficulty.
Mr., Irwin was in his study pacing it
up and down, up and down, according to
his wont when he was agitated or dis
turbed.
Euphemia gllded noiselessly in, and
taking possession of Mr.. Urwin's chair,
sat there mute and motiOnless.
Mr.. Irwin, in turning, caught sight
Of her for the first time, and started vio-
lently.
"Euphemiaw r..-
"Here | am, Paul"
She smiled vacantly, played with the
glittering chain about her neck, and was
mute again.
care you ready to accompany me to
Mrs. Weston'sw
"No, thank you; I am quiteswell
here"
"But you know it is impossible that
you should remain, Euphemia. I told
you SO before"
Mr.. Irwin spoke SO decidedly; but
Euphemia only answered him with a
cunning little smile.
"You promised me I might stay, under
certain circumstances.
"Only in the event Of Mr.. Roper's
DEATH"
"And Mr.. Roper is dead"
dead! Good heavensW calculated
Mr.. Irwin, ,incredulously;" he passed
this house only two hours back, and he
was thenperfectly we'll"
Euphemia crossed her arms doggedly.
81 can't help that; he is dead now. If
you are not satisfied, go and see for your
self"
"You have told him your terrible story,
then, and the shock killed himF'
II told him nothing; he was dead too
soon."
Her extraordinary calmness and indif-
ference made him fancy that it must all
be deldsion, and he said, rather severe
ly:
"We had better 90 at once to Mrs.
Weston's, as she is expecting you. am
only sorIy you have not chosen t0 dress
yourself properly, for it can not but
cause comments amongst the servants,
your appearing there with bonnet or
shawl. However, it can't be helped,
suppose"
Euphemia looked at him with an ex-
preston Of peculiar cunning and OBJ
,tinaey.
'T am going to stay here. This is my
nome for the future, and I have no hus-
band but you."
"Mr. Roper eau not be dead"
"Bat he is, I tell you."