The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-05
/ will do it, mother, If you

Law aAia ~ so0~ villa 0o Az hiVtACig "A Jo0
will trust me"
He laid his hand upon his mothers shoulder.
he looked at her peadingly as she stood with
clasped hands, an image of despair. 1t was the
first time that he had touched her since they
entered he, the son whom she had not seen for
seven years.
Il cannct trust YOU" she answered, not in
unkindness but in despair Il have been too
often deceived. know your nature too we'll L
will do what can for you, but it must be in my
own way. Oh, Valentine, why do you follow in
the fatal road that your father trod to his dooml
The habits Of the drunkard and the gambler
ruined him. and they will ruin sou if you do not
reform. Think of his dreadful end--a murderer
lunatic. Be warned in time. No, my poor
son. it is not too late ] will help you / will
visit YOU befriend you in every way if you viii
only show real purpose Of amendment. And
now, for PHYS sake leave this house before Sir
Allan overheaGs anything. Are you lodging in
the village?'
II have been lodging under hedges and hay
stacks since yesterday evening. When landed
at NeWhaven yesterday morning L had just
enough to pay for u third class ticket to London,
and another third-class ticket to Scadeigh-
have been roaming about ever since with empty
pockets and an empty stomach, watching for a
chance of an interview with YOU or Grace
Thank God, you did lot see Grace in this
dreadful plight. Poor creature-poor, unhappy
boy said Lady Darnel gancing at the clock.
Ten minutes to l.: they will hardly have gene
to bed at the Coach and Horses, for they seldom
close until after II. You had better go there,
aud get a room for the night There is she'd
tered lane at the back of the inn garden. | will
meet you there at to morrow morning and we
can talk quietly: we can make some plan for
your future, And now, GO. There is not
moment to be lost if you want to get shelter
to nj ght."
II don't want to sleep under a hedge" he said,
sulleniy, moving slowly towards the window
reluctant, undecided
At this moment the door leading into the
corridor was Opened little way, and a sweet
grlish voice said, Mother are you still up"
Lady Darnel rushed to the door, and net
Grace before she could enter the room.
Yes, dear child" she SAID, going out into the
corridor, and shutting tho door behind her.
''Oh, Grace, why are you not in bedF Ii is
close upon midnight, and you were up at four"
Il couldn't sleep wink, if | went to bed,
Mayn't come into your room for few minutes
chat?
Not tonight. 1t is too late"
How pale you are mother! Are you ill?'
mo no. not i'll, only little tired. have sat
up too long. Now Grace. shall take You back
to your room, ana you must 60 to bed instantly"
The girl WIS in her dressing gown, her splendid
brown hair hanging loose upon her shout ders.
Lazy Darnel put her arm round her and led
her along the corridor. Grace's and the visitors
rooms at the end OF the house just beyond
those INHABITED by Sir Allan and Lady Darnel
These three had exclusive occupation of this
southern wing. The central portion of The FIRST
floor was taken up by picture gallery ard d
billlard-room. Miss Darnels were in the
northern wing.
what has made you so wakeful, Graeef"
asked Clare, when she had taken the girl back to
her room.
Grace hestated for few moments, looking at
the ground, and playing nervously with the lace
frilling of her dressing gown.
She was longing to tell all her troubles to her
step-mother, yet dared not. Fear Of her fathers
anger kept her dump.
ooh don't know. she said. PERHAPS it vas
the exciting idea of our Italian tour. AT any
rate, l couldn't sleep, and ] thought if you were
up should like to have a talk. But you are-tno
tired, and you ought to so to bed. You are as
white as a ghost"
Yes, am very tired. Goodnight dear
child"
Good night mother, and with an affectionase
kiss they parted.
Lady Darnel did not go back to her room i'm
mediately. She wanted time--frst to be sure
that Grace did not follow her; secondly, to re-
cover her GOODNESS Of brain, to consider quietly
and calmly if possible, what was to be doue
with this foolish son of hers. He would have
gone when she went back to her room, perhaps;
if he had not gone she would be better
able TO reason with him after Il few minutes
quiet.
She walked up and down the corridor two or
three times thinking deeply, trying to hit upon
some line of conduct which might, save Grace
and reclaim the prodigal. Grace must, on no ac-
count know that her lover was in the neighb0r
hood Girls so foolish. His wretched con-
diton would appeal to her pity. There is no
knowing into what foolishness she might be
entrapped.
The stable clock and the church clock struck
twelve--the last, with silvery, solemn tone,
heard from afar across the elms and oaks, the
dells and slopes, where the cattle were lying at
rest Lady Darnel took one turn more.
"Hark: What can that be!'
No doubt as to what it was. The report of
pistol. What it meant was another thing.
For moment SO Clare Darnel stood motion
less with terror. Then there came the thud of q
heavy fall
at is in my ROOM" cried Clare. beside herself
with apprehension, remembering the revolyers
in their case on the table--the open case with
dark red velvet lining glowing in the lamplight
She had looked at it absently while Valentine was
talking to her-looked at it with mind so abstract
ed as never to consider how fatal q thug a &C.
volver may be.
He has killed himself" she cried distractedIy.
She rushed to her ROOM tearing at the door
with cOLvulsive hands, which made the mere
turning of the handle seem work of time and
son stretched upon the floor, and weltering in
his blood. She knew not that worse evil had
befaen her.
She went into the room. The easement was
wide open, and the night wind blowing in,
scattering the papers on her wrting-t table The
doorway leading into the bedroom was open, the
velvet portiere pulled aside, and Allan Darnel
was lying across the threshold, bleeding, dead
as his wife thought, in the supreme agony of
that moment
While she stood looking at him. with clasped
hands, his daughter rushed into the room and
saw what had happened.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT sUNDAY.l
---------~----rss----