The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-01-20
CHAPTER XyXIII,

Arrived at the station, Eliza led her
two companions for some little distance
along the high-road, and then along
less frequented road, and finally down
a lane bOrdered on each side by high
hedgerows and tall elms.
They soon reached the cottage, and
Eliza, opening the gate, led the way up
the path strewed with the leaves of the
Virginia creeper that still lent a Grim
son glow to the walls. The dining.
room window stood open--a policeman
sat within, smoking.
Lena went first, and Bertha followed,
her knees shaking under her. They
were ushered into the room above the
parlor, a comfortable-l0oking woman
in clean white cap and apron stood be-
side the bed on which the invalid lay
Twenty-fOur hours of illness of body
and anguish Of mind had made sad
havoc with Julie Lemont. Her cheeks,
now Invested of rouge, had fallen in,
her eyes looked large and hollow, her
lips were parched and drawn. A look
of recognition came into her face as
Bertha entered.
"Ah," she said. in a feeble voice,
speaking with difficulty, I'VE have met
before. Do you not remember"
If it had not been that she had heard
the woman's name, and but for her as
sociations with the ring, Bertha would
have failed to recognize in the death
like object before her the handsome,
snowy woman she had seen in West
bourne Grove; but, with this clew, she
knew it must be the sane.
Yes, remember. am sorry to see
you 80 i'll, she said. kindly.
you are Madeline Dalton" said
Mrs. Lemont, turning her hollow eyes
from Bertha to Lena. Come close that
I may look at you"
Lena Obeyed, not a little alarmed at
the woman's strange tone, when she
had expected supplications and apollo
gies. The sick woman raised herself
with an effort, and, taking Lena by the
wrist, she gazed into her face with ear
nest scrutiny.
so" said she, "this is the fair face
that has had power to turn my hus-
bands love from me, and TO make an
assassin of him?"
Lena, turning pale. extricated herself
from jules grasp and started back.
''She is mad!" she cried, with an ap-
pealing look to Bertha who stood APP
palled by the words she had heard.
mo, am not mad" said Mrs. Le-
mont. Lay your hand on my brow-it
is cold. Feel my pulse-it beats low
very low. am not mad. The words
speak are truth. The man you would
have married tomorrow is my husband
| sent for you to tell you this" She
spoke with wonderful calmness, she had
exhausted all her rage and passion, and
now, as she said, her pulse beat very
low.
Lena turned white; she staggered,
and sunk into chair beside the bed.
Good Heaven" she cried, lam to
believe thisY"
"Yes, you must believe 1t, and more, -"
Mrs. LemOnt resumed. "Do you see
these pallid and shrunken cheeks, these
attenuated hands? A few days ago I
was we'll and strong as you. He thought
I should be dead before tomorrow
came--and l should have been but for
the detective"
Are you speaking Of Mr.. Fancourt?"
Bertha asked, drawing nearer.
II am speaking of Eustace Sedley-
Of whom you know as Mr.. Fancourt,"
Mrs. Lemont answered. II tell you he
has poisoned meme, his wife--in or.
der to marry herl" She pointed to
Lena as she spoke.
At last the full meaning of the dis
closure that had been made penetrated
to Lena's understanding. With a
shrek she covered her face with her
hands, covering as she sat. Hearing
the cry, the nurse made her appearance
at the door.
GO" said Mrs. Lemont, waving her
hand toward her; you are not wanted"
"What do you mean when you say
him whom we have known as Mr.. Fan
courtY'" asked Bertha. trembling in
every limb,
Mrs. Lemont gasped for breath.
"Oh, for strength for a WHILE" she
cried-"s strength to tell all. Give me a