The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-23


him? / heard Mr.. Woodruff ask him TO re-
main with him to night"
II had not thought of him." he answered..
in voice which showed how disappointed
be felt
DIR. Grey. we must let him into eur Sc
cret He must know the true character Of
The woman be mas dishonOred himself oy
loving"
"A mar who would act as he has can have
10 honor
You are wrong. Doctor, for he has seen
his folly and resoly ed to do better"
Then | WI, tel him to excuse himself in
some way to Mr. Woodruff, when be sees me
enter. God grant that We may find out the
truth to night"
Re-entering the sick chamber, they found
Lima leaning afiectionately over her hus-
band, gently bathing his face and moisten-
ing his psrched lips She was ignorant Of
the trap set for her destruction. Had she
known it she would have acted differently.
Ter face was flushed, and she was nervous
and excitable. Toward evening she con-
fessed to feeling greatly worried ever her
husbands condition, and Madam Reek no.
ticed her take glass of wine several times.
She was evidently preparing herself for the
termination of her foul crims.
How strange it Is that and amorta being
can mediate the killing of a fel lO6-creaJure,
yet ii is done day after dey in the very face
OF the haDgman and his rope. Dr. Grey
met Arthur in the park, as he lett the hall,
and revealed 10 him his suspicion and his
plan of detecting the criminal.
1t seemed TO Arthur, as he walked back to
the Hall, that mist had been suddenly
lifted from before his eyes. He now knew
why Lima asked him il he would marry her
ii she were free before he married Meta Not
thought or suspicion ever entered his
mind of her trying TO kill her noble husband.
But he now remembered every little Incl
dent, almost every word and action OF hers
since he first came to Woodruff Hall at
Christmas. He went directly to his room,
refusing to 60 down stairs to tea saying he
was not fee ling well, and would not be able
to make his appearance IN the sick chamber
that evening. if it we're possible to do with
out him. Lima was not sorry, as she did not
want Artl ur to see her IN her present ex-
cited como ton.
About 10 o'clock DR.. Grey came in, but
left in q few moments. Madam Rsek COM
planned of a severe headache aud retired 10
her room. to Mr.. Woodrui's great dlsap.
pointment, as be wanted ner near him al
ways.
II can scarcely bear for you to leave me
even for one moment, Madam, as your pres
eDce seems 70 relieve me- he said. IS she
turned TO leave him.
AS am not far away, will come when
you need me, If you call, she said as she
entered Linas dressing ROOM which bad
been converted into slsepiDg-room. Mr..
Noodrufs eyes followed her until the cur
tsins dropped after her. He loved the
gentle manners and sweet smile of the
woman In black.
Lima donned thick wrapper and hid
down beside her husband. He was restless
and could not sleep; when he closed his
eyes all kinds of hideous visions seemed to
pass before them. About midnight Lima
arose and wanted TO give aim an opiate she
said the doctor had left for him 10 take In
case he was restless. At first ne refused to
take it, but, after great deal of persu aston,
consented.
Meanwhile DR.. CIR ey, Arthur and Madam
Reek had stealthily entered the adjoining
room, and were listening attentively to the
conversation in the sick chamber, and
through the lace curtains could watch, un-
observed. every movement Lima made.
Madam Reek requested her companions to
allow her to enter the room first, in case
Mrs. Woodruff attempted to commit the
crime, and be the accuser to which they
both consented willingly. They waited
until midnight. and when Lima arose to
mix the opiate, DR. Grey and Madam Reek
both knew that the white powder she was
mixing was poison, and that no time must
be lost
"rn heavens name, sir. do not drink that
it is poison Your wife is trying to kill
you" the fair nurse said, rushing into the
room.
"You lie this is az opiate, retained Lima.
1T is false, and | will prove it," said
Madam Reek, securing the poison.
Then you, being his nurse, will be
blamed for allowing poison to lay where one
might mistake il for medicine"
81 am his nurse; but am also his dsugh-
ter" she answered, throwing aside her gray
wig and glasses.
Meta, my darling child, was it you with
me all this timer
NVoo 1aop mana hut bo Orr;at 10 aasS
kissing him fondly.
Thank God you have saved me-
"Yes, l have tried hard, and God has
blessed my effort"
"Clive, swear to you that sm innocent.
II this is poison did not know it,
she is telling a falsehood as she has done
so often. Fiend, step into your sitting.room
and you will there find more witnesses than
you are willing to appear before
Lima placed the glass containing part of
the poison to her own lips, aud would have
swallowed it, but with one bound Arthur
was by her side and dashed the glass from
her hand to the floor.
Curse you, Arthur Braden; you have not
acted wisely. Whatever my past has been,
l now hate you as do Meta Woodruff
~ am glad / have found out your true
character. You have not only stopped to
deceive you husband, but have also tried to
take his lie, and would have met with sue
bitterly prevented it. God have mercy on
you. for have none"
"Nor do | ask it of you. 1t is your fault
that am what you see me. / believe firmly
and truly that you alone will have to an
swer for nv sins at the day OF judgment, if
there is such. Meanwhile, Give, what do
you intend doing with your DEVOTED wife,"
Take her away, Arthur; she is nothing
more to me-"
"Lina Woodruff, you ara my prisoner until
" orning; you NAV rest in the next room till
then. l will guard you. Come, the man
you have 80 shanefully disgraced is too
weak to bear any more excitement" Arthur
said taking her arm and leading her into
the cozy sitting room, which a few short
months before she had entered an unhappy
BRIDE but which was now tn be her prison
until daybreak or until officers arrived to
take her away from Woodruff Hall. unless
her husband was willing to allow her TO 20