The Iola register., 1885-01-16
CHAPTER TX.


A BLACK LIE.
Having placed the poor girl in Pris.
elias motherly hands, / fetched the
best doctor could think of and efforts
were at once made to restore conscious
nsss. twas. long before any sign OF
returning animation showed itself, but,
at last, she awoke. Need say what a
supreme moment that was to me?
/ need not give details of that return
to life. After all, it was but half re-
turn, and brought fresh terrors in its
train. When morning dawned it found
Pauline raving with what | prayed was
but the delirium of fever.
The doctor told me her state was a
most critical one. There was hope for
her life, but no certainty of saving it. 1t
was during these DAYS of anxiety that |
learned how much loved my unhappy
girl. How grateful l should be if she
were given back to NE, even as l had
always known her.
Her wild fevered words cut me to the
heart Sometimes in English, some
times in soft Italian, she called on some
one; spoke words of deep love and sor-
row; gave vent to expressions of fond
endearment. These were succeeded by
cries of grief, and it seemed rs if shud-
ders of fear passed over her.
For me there was no word; no look
recognition. i, who would have
given worlds to hear my name spoken
once, during her delirium, with an ex-
preston of love, was but i stranger at
her bedside.
Shn 1nI l.,
mented? Who was the man she and |
had seen slain? soon learned-and if
nay Informant spoke the truth, he had,
in so doing, dealt me a blow from
which | could never rally.
1t was Macari who struck it. He
called On me the day after Pauline and
i had visited the house. IwOuld not
see him then. My plans were not
formed. For the time | could think
of nothing save my wife's danger But
two days afterward, when he again
called. l gave orders for him to be ad-
mitted.
1 shuddered as ] took the hand
dared not Yet refuse although in my
own mind was certain that a muir
derer's fingers were claSped round nv
own. Perhaps the very fingers which
had once closed on my throat. Yet.
with ali | knew, l doubted whether l
could bring him to justice.
Unless Pauline recovered. the eyi-
dence L could bring would be of no
weight. Even the victims name was
unknown to me- Before the accusation
would lie his remains must be found
and identified. 1t was hopeless to think
of Furnishing the murderer. now that
more than three years had elapsed since
the crime.
Besides-was he Pauline's brother?
Brother or not, would unmask him.
] would show him that the crime was
no longer secret: that an outsider
knew everything in detail. / would tell
him this in the hope that his future
would be haunted with the dread of a
just vengeance overtaking him.
ISknew the name of the street to
which Pauline had led me. l had no.
ticed it as We drove from it few nights
ago, and the reason of my drunken
guides mistake'was apparent. 1t was
Horace street My conductor had jum-
bled up Walpole and Horace in his
drink-muddled brain.
On what slight thread the whole
course of life hangs!
Macari had heard of Pauline's illness
and delirium. He was as tenderly So
licitous in his inquiries as brother
should be. NY replies were cold and
brief Brother or not, he was answera-
BILE for everything.
Presently he changed the subject. Il
scarcely like to trouble you at such a
time, but / should be glad to know if
you are willing to Join me, as / sug-
gested, in 3 memorial to Victor En-
manuel?n
i. sI am not. There are several things
/ must have explained first"
He bowed politely; but / saw his lips
close tightly for moment
81 am quite at your service" he said
Every well. Before all l must be sat
isfied that you are my wife's brother"
He raised his thick dark eyebrows
and tried to smile.
THAT is easily done. Had poor Cen
eri been with us he would have
vouched for it,
..But he told me very differently -
'.Ah, he had his reasons, No matter,
I can bring plenty of other persons"
ssThen, again." / said. looking him
full in the face and speaking very slow
ly: Il must know why you murdered
man three years ago in house in Hor-
ace street.
Whichever the fellow felt-fear or
rage-the expression of his face was
that of blank astonishment. Not, l
knew, the surprise of innocence, but of
wonder that the crime should be known.
For a moment the jaw dropped and he
CAPPED at me in silence
Then he recovered. "Are you mad,
Mr.. Vaughan" he cried