Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-08-15

She clasped her hands tightly over her bad
and murmurins:
sMurderi Is It MURDER got herssk away
out Of the room before he could goad hei
further.
-
A few days after this Mrs Kestsrton semi
out invitations Cor an evening AT home
She had come {, the end Of her list. and
heaved a sigh Of satisfaction with sense o.
duty done, when she suddenly remembered
that she had forgotten the pleasant. elderly
woman who had been introduced to her al
4rs Hale's luncheon.
There were tuo Of them; didn't catch
their names did you! she asked her hus
band
TWAS Hardy, or Halton, or some name
Of that sort, he answered carelessly.
So. failing to get the requisite information
from him, the hospitable mistress Of the
Lake house inclosed blank invitation card
to Mrs Hale, with the request that she
would fill it in with the names of the two
agreeable maiden ladies-sisters-whom she
(Mrs- kestertoni had had such great pleas
ure in meeting. but whose names had un
fortunately escaped her memory.
In due time the invitation reached the
Miss Harveys, ard the elder sister was duly
delighted at tbs receipt of it. But Miss
Cynthia manifested an unaccountable aver.
sion to going to the Lake houss under any
circums stances
Don't try and persua;e me. for your per.
suasions will all be thrown away" she said,
with what appeared TO her sister 20 be uI-
necessary vehemence. Il only hope l may
never set eyes Gil that woman again
why" Miss Harvey Questioned
That am not going to tell you
Then / consider YOU most weakly, not to
say wickedly, prejudiced," Miss Harvey
said, with greater air Of severity than she
had ever before assumed toward her sister.
Its cruel Of you to say that Miss Cynthia
said emotionally; but though her tones were
wavering, her intention apparently was not,
for she held to i stoutly for several days
But On the morning of the day the close of
which was to witness the festivities at the
Lake house, Mrs Hale-privately instructed
by Miss Harvey-brought her forces to bear
upon the contunlacious lady. To stay away,
when she had not the plea to urge Of either
ill-health or previous engagement, would,
the doctors wife affirmed, have a very
strange, not to say uncharitable and suspi-
cions, appearance in the eyes of all those who
knew she had been invited Besides, what
was there-what could there be about Miss
Kesterton to make Miss Cynthia shrink from
her.
Briefly and enphatically Miss Cynthia re-
piled:
Heaven knows."
you will spoil your sisters pleasure en-
tirely by remaining away; its not like you
to indulge a selfish caprice at the cost of her
IaI.
"Oh, ii you could let me- alone in this
LATTER" Miss Cynthia cried rather W lily;
-Pm frightened and miserable enough al.
ready She checked herself, and added
more calmly: Think me selfishly capri
cious, my dear old friend, if you WILL only
don't drag me to do what my very soul re-
volts at"
Dear Miss Cynthia, you alarm me- Mrs
Hale cried with genuine concern. do you
knows it possible that you can suspect
anything against that charming woman's
character"
Il pray to heaven may never set eyes on
that charming woman again. Miss Cynthia
said fervently.
"Really, you make me uneasy in spite Of
my own conviction that everything IS qn lite
right about the kestertons.' said Mrs. Hale
in n yexeI tone. ITO be sure he is not very
polished in conversation, but he looks well,
and one can't have everything. However.
you have made me uncomfortable, Miss
Cynthia, and can't help feeling that you
are not acting with your u sual kindly tact
and consideration"
aft Cynthia is so obstinate l shall not &c
either, and | have looked forward to this
evening with greater pleasure that l ever
looked forward to any party since my girl
hood, Miss Harvey said resignedly, and at
4 aIx-
announced that she would do as they pleased.
After making this concession she strove 70
put a cheerful face on it. and took as much
trouble in arranging her toilet for the even
ing as even her sister could desire.
WAS it any thought of its being the ami
versary OF paor, old Uncle Edwards death
that made you so unwilling to go to Mrs.
as1ei when they were dressed and awaiting
the hy which was to take them to the Lake
house.
Dear me, no! It is the 18th of January.
l hal quite forgotten it," Miss Cynthia re-
piled SIMPLY.
And then with sinking of the tone and a
beating of the heart that was entirely UNI
riago and 70 III, the Lake house.
Mrs. kes.erton was in splendid FORM
that night All the men assembled vowed
that she was 50, and all the women COM
mented upon the matches taste with which
her dress was devised to display her beauty.
a perfect hostess, nobly planned they all
declared Ter to be. and in the general salts
faction no onc noticed how i'll Miss Cynthia
Harvey looked, or how uncontrollably nerv-
Gus >he seamei
Refreshments at 12- hal been the unas-
suming notification on the invitation cards,
So that the many were surprised to find an
exqui.itely ordered banquet served at a
score of small tables that would seat four per-
sons each, In the large dining-r room
ats custom learned in France, whers
spent my whole life till l came TO the Lake
house. Mrs. kesterton said unblushingly TO
those who compliInented her on the arrange
ment; -four people must be stupid indeed il
they can't get genial and amusing when
brought together at a dear, little round,
Widespread table. DIR. Hale. Will you com
plete the party at nv tablef
Undoubtedly l will. III fetch the lady
whose interests I've promised To atten1 to
during the solemn hour of supper he said,
As he walked away in search Of Miss Gym
tina.
1t was in vain. when she found what was
10 be her destination, and wEo was to be her
visa-vis. that she protested she did not
want any supper and would rather stay
alone in the de ertei drawing room DIR.
Hale blithely disregaried her reluctance,
led her to and planted her in a chair opposite
to their brilliant hostess, AMI proceeded 90
enjoy that lady 5 conversation, together with
the good things she had provided.
As he sat between the two ladies at the
round table he had a full view of their
faces. and boxing up suddenly, he was stag
gered to see that Mrs kestertOn had a look
OF terror in her face. while Miss Cynthia's
wore an expression of uncomfortable horror
Before he could speak. however, the latter
with cry that was almost shrek few
from the room.
With hasty apology to his hostess. DR.
Hale follosei his old friend, Mis- Cynthia
He found her in the Indies cloak-room hud-
ding on her wraps in frantic haste
Don't stop me; let me 60, and-briBS ;ny
sister away she sobbel out: don't ask IN.
anything ill get home-thsn III tell YOU
She grew calmer after they got her home,
but still her state Of trembling nervousness
was such that for three or four hours DIR.
Hale did not feel justified in leaving her.
At length. as morning broke, she seemed
auie,ar, dropping of 20 sleep. but suddenly
she started up with a chokei. horrid cry.
Il viii tell yoa nOv-nov. what ] saw
what has nearly killed me- she cried. IN
tell you both now that yol NAV lie less hpT
rified wien you hear what is happening now
at this very time at the Lake house Behind
that woman's shoulder peers an awful face
always whispering n her. always felt by her
always sen by her | saw IL once or twice
at your luncheon DR. Hale; it has never left
her never let o:. whispering and threaten
ing all this night She handled her knife FOR
4 morn II n, IL she would hare Killed ter-
self. when shriekei AMI started up"
The doctor wautsi this very minnie
please. the servant ssi in loud whisper a,
this juncture. ami DR. Hale laft Mis- Gym
thia, her terrible DISCLOSURE still ringing in
his ear, - hear WHY b. ~as surnfn ual 81
hurrieily
a groom has coma over from :be LAX
house sir ms own servant s,erp~i forva-
10 saw Mrs Kes;ert n has cut her threat
and though she < quite dead. they th1urht
thew had better S.ni for vau