The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-10-04

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back to the situation. Jim was the frs
to break silence.
"Shall we make inquiry Of these wo
men how matters are there ?" pointin!
to the dwelling.
q scarcely know what to advise"
replied.
Perhaps its not customary to adj
dress nuns in the public street. We
are not familiar with the manners O
the country-really, Jim, I'm afraic
they might take offence, we berg for
eigners and not speaking Italian, and
they, perhaps, only understanding theil
mother tongue"
By this time the nuns had passedus,
with their heads bent together convers-
ing in a low tone.
"I'll take the chances, - exclaimed
Madison. 81 haven't come all this
distance to hesitate at such moment
Come on ~ and he started TO overtake
the women, continuing by his side.
Are you going to address them in
English, | asked, hurriedly.
Il think | am, as that's about the
only tongue l profess to speak," he re-
piled; ''but as everybody appears to
understand French, you may come in
quite handy if l fail"
A brisk walk of a few moments
brought us to the side of the sisters.
Jim respectively raised his hat and they
drew instinctively aside and gazed at
him with surprise, not unmixed with
apprehension.
''Pardon me-" he said, 4 am a
stranger, but l desire to make an in
quiry touching one who occupies the
cottage you have just left. The sick
lady, l mean"
During the speech the elder nun
gave him close attention, and | per-
ceived she understood his words. Her
companion evidently comprehended
nothing of it, | judged, from the ex-
preston of her countenance. The re-
ply came in pure and unmistakable
English, and with such calm distinct
ness that it sent bolt of ice through
my heart.
"She is dead -
Then she went on to explain that
she had been attending the lady dur
ing her illness, as she understood they
were country women, and she was able
to speak to her in her native tongue.
But she conversed very little con-
tinued the good woman, ''and, sad to
say, she did not die in the Church"
l looked at Madison he was as pale
as the dead, and the muscles of his
face appeared rigid. Poor fellow, he
was endeavoring to assume calmness
he did not possess. We raised our
hats to the Sisters and they passed on
their way.
"Whither are you going?" l inquir
ed, as Jim began to retrace his steps.
''To fulfill my MISSION" he replied,
in a tone so hoarse and unnatural that
l scarcely believed it was he who was
speaking. | walked on by his side ;
whatever betided now, | was with him.
He advanced straight to the cottage
and entered the door, which stood
open. Before he had taken a dozen
strides he stood face to face with La
fonte. The latter betrayed no surprise
at our appearance, but, folding his arms
across his chest, with the most con-
GOODNESS he stood regarding
the man he had wronged and appar-
emily waiting for him to speak.
"She is dead?" Kissed Madison be-
tween his clenched teeth.
Lafonte merely bowed his head, his
arms still crossed on his chest.
'Did you marry herr" again ques-
toned Madison sternly.
81 did not" responded Lafonte,
speaking IN low, but unfaltering
voice.
s'But she passed for your wife," he
queried again.
'She did," was the sententious an
swer.
With quick effort Madison struck
him full in the face with his clinChed
fist, and such was the force of the blow
that bright red spot appeared on La
fonte's cheek instantly. His hands
dropped by his side, but never losing
his self-possession for a moment, he
said: "When the funeral is over, you
will hear from me; let me have your
address,"
The man was no coward, that was
certain, and the control he exercised
over his feelings, considering all things,
was remarkable.
Madison took a card from his poe
ket, and, scratching his address on it,
almost flung it in the others face.
He was about to leave the house,
when he appeared to change his pur-
pose. II came here to'kill you, and !
mean TO do it," he said.
Lafonte smiled and showed his
white teeth.
"The earth is not large enough for
US both at the same time continued
Jim.
at is much too small" returned the
other with firm voice.
But" said Madison, not he>ling
him, "there are matters | would fam
attend to this moment. Listen to me.
| am her husband can claim her
body, and the authorities will enforce