Smyrna times., 1885-04-08

be particular opportunity for carrying
out such a plan. Lester is quite angry
with me. and will be ready to credit
anything; so am going to make him
believe there is something very serious
between Kenneth Gray and myself. In
fact, I shall have a note on the bureau
where he cln find it when he comes
home. It will tell him 1 have eloped
with my lover [ have written one
already Here it is
Mrs. Floyd handed the note, which
was gotten up to give the impression Of
precipitancy and mental distraction.
1t read -
"When your eyes fall upon these |
lines, Lester ] shall be beyond your
bitter reproaches. l would not had |
left, had you not pursued me with |
your jealous doubts hut you have made
my life intolerable, and shall seek my
happiness in the love of man who will
not torture me with constant upbraid-
ings GLADYS FLOYD"
81 tried not to tell story" she
observed. as he was reading this Il
made my statements equivocal, you see.
[ am sure [ am seeking my happiness in
the love Of such a man as 1 have des-
cribed, and as hope Lester will be after
he had learned this lesson"
Teddy laughed uproariously.
80 you are going to leave this on the
bureau ?" he inquired by Jove! 1
believe I will come home to dinner
with Lester, Just to see the denouement."
do" Mrs. Floyd urged Il shall
hide in the bay-window behind the
portipre, and shall listen to every word
thai is said =
What schemers you are, Gladys
you womenfolk"
Teddy observed this as he was going
away but Mrs. Flovd only laughed in
great glee over the plot she had produced.
It was six O'cOlck when Lester came
home to dinner Teddy returned with
him, as he had said he would. Mrs.
Floyd, having discovered their
approach, flew to the bay-window, con-
cealing herself behind the heavy Per-
sian drapery that shut off the alcove
from the bedroom.
Teddy fingered in the library, as was
proper But Lester, after calling his
wife in vain, came upstairs to look for
her
Mrs Floyd had arranged the portiere
so as to allow herself little peep-hole,
and through this she watched him
intently
He entered with an unsuspicious air,
and called her name several times. In
passing the bureau, the note caught his
eye, and he picked it up. It so hap
pened that, as be stood there reading
l it. his back was turned toward the
: window and Mrs Floyd could not SCI
his face.
/ But she saw him reel as though some
t one had struck him a deadly blow; sh,
. saw him crush the note in his fingers
g and she heard a low exclamation tina
burst unconsciously from his lips. The
Y oh, heavens!
L She never knew how it was done. !
/ seemed that this discovery of her sup
n posed elopement, made at a time whe
o he was already deeply depressed, ha
g driven him to desperation. But befor
e she had dreamed of such a thing, h
If drew pistol from his pocket placed
directly over his heart, and quickl
1t fired.
a There was a loud report, a gurglin
le cry from Testers lips, and he fell to I'll
l.; floor.
ID The next instant, Teddy was in I'll
y. room. He had come upstairs thr,
he steps at time, and found Glayds stant
is ing like one paralyzed her face as pa
es as death, and her eyes wildly dilated.
lie Testers pistol had fallen beside hin
IN and at a glance Teddy grasped IL
ly horrible truth. He sank on his knee
Id at his brothers side, and lifted his hea
ut Miserable woman, he cried, in
voice of horror. You have murders
lis your husband"
.er His words seem 20 break the sp,
mt that bound Gladys. Her hands sai
nerveless at her sides a moan escap
J." her pallid lips; and with the bitter CT.
he "Oh, my God!" she sank insensible
CO. Teddys feet.
,us When she opened her eyes again s
ere was laying on the bed. There was
me dim light in the room, and standing
nd the wind ow the figure of a man.
ion Mrs. Floyd raised herself, with a he
M on which the weight of the VIII
of world seemed resting. The horri
to truth flashed upon her recollection,
hat pierced her Ikea thousand arrows.
Then, in the dim light she saw
his figure t1rn toward her. 1t was
Ter, Teddy as she had suppos d; but
ltly merciful-Heaven--i was Lester!
ing A cry of agony burst from her lips.
she ooh, my God !" she cried. "Alre
already he has come back to ha
l me-"
q 1 In a passion of grief and horror
you buried her face in the pillows; and
a fewimoments'she was wholly insens
tne to the light touch that fell upon
Guy shoulders. But at the words that v
q OF whispered in her ears she started
wildly.
use Lester was standing beside her,
we're the next moment he seated himsel
you the edge of the bed.
= "Gladys, darling" he murmu
but "I am not dead. Look at me-"
That ..vo,, oro dood - che cried mass
mar ately, q killed you-GOd pity
But did not mean to-I did not n
to-"
e4- Little wife," he whispered gent
was touch me-feel my hands-let me
) pu' you. am here-real palpable, in
ane, flesh. You hear my voice, and l
oulu m = you, Gladys, am alive.
u iii0 "You are dead, she answered WI
81 know it. I killed you-you
re- husband, whom 1 loved better THAI
x Nv own life-oh, my God"
|, 'lous Darling" he said, gathering he
~, r,noo in his arms, do you feel my embr
" N.Y. Do you feel my kisses Do you hea
,Sl'nl ''.on say love your"
''''loo ~ Eyes, she answered, in q dazed
yo%i at last, putting her hand to her /
y ,'o Eyes do"