The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-13
pearance. was in full possession of his senses,

pearance. was in full possession of his senses,
| though there was peculiar dry brightness in
his eyes, and nervousness of movement that in
dicated his having passed sleepless night Both
men looked rather dsheveled, and Austen, at
least, was obviously very sleepy.
The suave and unexceptionable Horkins met
| them at the entrance with an indulgent smile.
'Ah gentlemen, that was ard!y treating US
right to be hoff in such an 'urry and me on my
way to the cellar after that bottle Of Volnay.
But know how it is; pleasure is pleasure, and
young gentlemen will be young gentlemen AL
the world hover. What will you ave to your
breakfast, gentlemen-soft- boiled eggs-toast-
coffee-chops-"
Bring some strong coffee for Mr.. Austen
and pint OF champagne for me, interrupted
Lund. I'VE supped rather late and are not
hungry. Be lively nowT ne added IN sharp
tone, and keep your grins and observations till
they're asked fort"
Poor Horkins retreated in discontinue, and
astonished that the quiet gentleman should ave
| took him hup so sharp. The two boon compan
ions went up stairs. A
AS they entered the long and rather dark pass
age which led to their rooms young woman ap
peared, advancing towards them from the oppo-
site end; and before she had made three steps.
Lund had recognized her as Mary Lambert The
| three met just opposite the room door; she was
about to pass on one side, with slight bow of
recognition, but Lund suddenly reinquishing
his friends arm, placed himself in front of
her.
mo further without toll, Miss Mary Lam
bert. said he, with gay air; "you wouldn't
drink claret with Austen last night, but you shall
| drink glass of champagne with me this morn
ing and leave kiss in the cup, tool
| Look here, Lund, wha' the devil the mat
of the other arm. miss Lambert you must
scuse this man; he don't know what he's talking
| bout"
But Lund had thrown his arm round Mary
| Lamberts waist, and with his other hand he
opened the door of the room and drew her in
| Austen following. Then Lund set his back
| against the door and contemplated his captive
with smile.
Come now my dear, be as obliging as you are
| pretty" said he in a voice that grated little
Were all among friends, you know; no con
cealment; am not l good looking fellow az
your old admirer here? and isn't variety the spice
| of lifel7
| Mary did not scream. nor did she visibly trem
BILE. She stood in the center of the room, with
her hands pressed across one another on heI
bosom, and her eyes resting upon Lund. She
seemed to be searching his face for something
that should be in it, but was missing.
Some one has robbed you, sir" she said al
| length in sad and penetrating tone. ''You
| have lost what you had when you spoke to me
yesterday"
"Why, yes have lost folly and gained wis
DOM" returned Lund with laugh land to make
up for it l thought yesterday, that you had
|
| gentleman tells me you lost long SINCE
| She stood more erect at this and, for the frs,
| time, looked at Austen, who leaned against q
chair with his chin on his breast biting his lips
| HAS Mr.. Austen anything against me-" said
| she.
| Speak up, man. and put the hussy to shamer
| cried Lund savagely.
"It's all a piece of COMPOUNDED nonsense!" NUT
tered the unhappy creature between his teeth.
| Fact is, Miss LAMBERT don't half remem bel
/ haDOanad--hnt I nd
temper. and l told him pack of lies, and he
| like fool as he is-swallowed the whole of it
Awfully sorry-beg eveEybodys pardon-but-'
| At this moment his glance happened to fall
upon Lund, and he instantly sprang back, rails
! ing the chair as he did SO to defend himself. Yet
| Lund Lad not as yet stirred from his place, but
the EXPRESSION that had suddenly stamped itself
upon lis features might have frightened drawer
| man than Austen. 1t was an expression so utter
ly savage, lost and desperate as to seem scarcely
| human; and yeti was the human quality in il
| that gave it its most appalling horror.
| you have ruined me, you accursed devil, in
| this world and the next, said Lund, in a strange
| high voice. my dream was true, while I was
pure. Now that I'm polluted. false-the dream
| --God-everything! and can never find her
But"-and there his voice broke into wild roal
- can tear your false heart out of your body!'
and in the same moment he made his spring
| Austen struck at him with a chair, but he
| might as we'll have struck at an avalanche Fol
l
rious struggle; one could only see that it was al
in Lund's favor. They had whirled themselves
into the vicinity of the fireplace Just ther
Austen's foot slipped; he gave himself W
| for lost. and cry of terror broke from
him; but it was that slip that saved his
life He fell backwards. Lund stumbled ant
fell over and beyond him with force that shool
the house, his head struck the iron corner of tn,
CRATE ana there ne lay, whose lie an lnstsnt oe
fore was so fierce and frantic, marvelousy still
1t did not seem possible he was dead. Surely h
| must be alive somewhere.
Mary Lambert drew the body back from wher
it had fallen, and. kneeling on one knee, raised
his head until it rested upon the other. At tn
same time Austin dragged himself to his fee
and looked down on his late antagonist.
"You are witness that it was no fault of mine,
painted he.
YES" said Mary Lambert land yet you ar
guilty of two murders!"
| THE END.