The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-03-31

of courtesy, and there was comparative
quiet for while But from the muff1ed
laughter that broke out from time to
time, Leon and his bride had an idea that
they we're still at the tobic.
Suddenly there was a roar from the left
hand room. "Garsong!" shouted the
Eoglishman, "gimme another bottle O.
port"
| The port was brought and the English
man grew quiet. Finally the officers,
having drank all they could carry. and
some of them more, departed. after hav-
ing joined in party toast to the bride.
Quiet at last reigned over the hotel. -
The night was clear, the moon shining
brightly. Leon and his bride looked out
from the window. and inhaled the fra
GRANGE borne from the flowers in the gar
den below. Suddenly Icons gaze fell
upon man who was sauntering amidst
the shrubbery. He walked with his head
bent down, a cigar in his mouth, and his
hands thrust into his pockets. As he
turned the moonlight fell upon his face.
Itwas the Englishman's dissolute nephew.
The night wore on. Leon and his
bride had almost forgotten their English
neighbor, when they heard strange
sound in his room. 1t was that of the
fall of some heavy body. Mingled with
this there was peculiar crashing, grating
sound, followed by stifed cry. Silence.
Then there were two or three muttered
oaths, and silence again.
The young couple shuddered. What
could it mean? Leon tried to reassure
his trembling companion, but he was in
terrupted by the cautious opening OF the
next door. 1t was softly closed again,
and then slow and apparently careful
footsteps were heard in the hall. They
were lost in the distance. They ceased.
Again all was still.
Soon the young bride was sleeping
calmly. But not 50 Leon. Despite him
self the sinister face OF the Englishman's
nephew returned to his recollection.
There was hatred, he thought, in the
glance cast upon the uncle by the young
man when he left him, and then that roll
of bank notes in the valise. And that
dull, heevy sound but now, like the fall
of body upon the foor-the cry-the
curses. Such was the train Of thought
that ran through Icons mind.
Mechanically he fixed his eyes upon the
door which communicated with the Eng
lishman's room. There was little space
between the bottom of the door and the
flooring. By the dim light falling from,
the partially turned down gas, he could
see something forcing its way under the
door. 1t seemed, at first, like knife
blade, for the edge was thin, and reflect
ed back the light. 1t moved slowly to-
ward pale blue satin slipper, which had
been thrown carelessly uear the door.
"What can it be?' thought Leon. 'Is
it knife?" No, for it has divided into
two parts. And now it divides again
and yet again. What can it be? 1t is
some liquid"
The thing slowly crawled toward the
little blue slipper. 1t encircled its heel.
1t stained its front. 1t was liquid. 1t
was liquid of strong and unmistakable
color-the color of blood.
For long time Leon lay and gazed
upon the stained slipper and the reddish
stream which encircled it. He pictured
to himself the corpse lying in the next
room; its discovery the following morn
ing; the door opening into the room, of
which the bolts were on his side; the
blood stained slipper. These things all
passed through his mind, and a cold
sweat started out upon him. He at
tempted to rise and hide the slipper; as
he did SO, his wife awoke, and started
with alright as she felt his icy hand.
"What is the matter 2" she cried.
Leon explained to her the terrible stu
alton in which they we're placed. He
arose and attempted to remove the tell
tale stains from the slipper, but it was
| useless.
Day was breaking. Already the ser
wants were moving around the hotel. In
| few hours the crime would be discov-
cred and the officers of the law would be
upon them.
"Alas p said Leon "our only hope is
this: At eight o'clock the train leaves
for Paris. If the Englishman's body is
not discovered before that time we are
safe. We will take the train and lose
ourselves in the great city. There We
shall be SAFE"
His weeping bride flung herself;upon
his bosom. She felt almost as though
she had committed the deed.
But there yet remained two mortal
hours before the train left. At each step
IL the corridor they trembled with af-
fright. They made their preparations
for departure. Icons bride wished tc
burn the bloody slipper. but he restrain
ed her and concealed it on his person.
Seven o'clock sounded. The hotel was
aliye again with bustling servants. Leon
forced his wife to have a cup of coffee
although she declared that her parched
/ throat refused to swallow. They ther
descended to the waiting room and LeoI
demanded his bill. The host presented
it and begged his pardon for the noise Of
the previous evening. Leon assured
him that they had passed very quiet
/ night.
well, I'm glad of If, said the host
however, your neighbor on the lef
didn't disturb you much, I'll be bound
He's sleeping like a dead man vet"