San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-09-25

love, disclose am llltS Nuu may
about this awful matter
Il dare not speak openly replies the
widow. TuWnL even a shade paler
"becausc my SUSPICION IS Of the UaresI
character, and may he altogether
wrong. Yet there are moments when
some hidden instinct within my breast
whispers to me that am on the right
track"
IF So" murmurs Florence, falling
upon her knees before her, do not hes
itate; follow up this instructive feeling,
and who knows but something may
come of til Dora, do not delay. Soon,
soon-if not alTeady-it may be too
late. Alas" she cries, bursting into
bitter tears, what do say Is il not
too late even now? What hope can
there be after six long days, and no
tidingsY"
Il will do what l can, | am resolved"
declares Dora, rising abruptly to her
feet. IF too late to do any good, it
may not be too late to wiring the truth
from him, and bring the murderer to
justice"
From him? From whom - what
murderer eXClaimS Florence, in a
voice of horror. Dora, what are you
saying?"
"Never mind. Let me go now; and
to-night-this evening let me come to
you here again, and tell you the result
of what am now about to do"
She quits the room as silently as she
entered 1t, and Florence, sinking back
in her chair, gives herself up to the eX
Citement and amaZement that are over
towering her. There is something else,
too, in her thoughts that is puzZling
and perpleXing her; in all DOra's man
ner there was nothing that would lead
her to think that she loved Sir Adrian;
there was fear, and desire for re-
venge in it, but none of the despair of
loving woman who had lost the man
20 whom she has given her heart.
Florence is still bordering these
things, while Dora, going swiftly down
stairs, turns into the side hall, glanc-
ing into library and rooms as she goes
along, plainly in search of something
or some one.
At last her search is sucCessful; in a
small room she finds Arthur Dynecourt
apparently reading, as he sits in
large armchair, with his eyes fixed in
tently upon the book in his hand. See
ing her, he closes the volume, and,
throwing it from him, says carelessly:
"Pshaw - what contemplate trash
they write nowadays"
How can you sit here calmly read
ing" exclaims Dora vehemently,
"when we are all so distressed in mindl
But forgot"-with a meaning glance
you gain by his death; we do not"
"No, you lose" he retOrts COOlly.
Though, after all, even had things
been different, can't say think you
had much chance at any time"
He smiles insOlently at her as he says
this. But she pays no heed either to
his words or his smile. Her whole soul
seems wrapped in one thought, and at
last she gives expression to it.
what have you done with himp she
breaks forth, advancing toward him,
as though to compel him to give her an
answer to the question that has been
torturing her for days past.
with whom" he asks cOldly. Yet
there is forbidding CLEAN in his eyes
that should have warned her to for
bear.
with Sir Adrian-with your rival,
with the man you hate she cries, her
breath coming in little irrepresSible
gasps. "DynecOurt. | adjure you to
speak the truth, and say what has be-
come of him"
You rave" he says calmly, lifting
his eyebrows just shade, as though in
pity for her foolish excitement. Il con-
feSS the man was no favOrite of mine,
and that | can not help being glad of
this chance that has presented itself in
his extraordinary disappearance of my
inheriting his place and title; but real
ly, my dear creature, | know as little of
what has become of him. as-I pre-
sume-yOu do Yourself"
You liel" cries Dora, losing all con-
troll over herself. you have murder
ed him, to get him out of your path.
His death lies at your door"
She points her finger at him as
though i'll condemnation as she utters
these words, but still he does not finch.
They will take you for IA Bedlamite,"
he says, with IA Sneering laugh, IF you
conduct yourself like this. Where are
your proofs that am the cOld-blOOded
ruflian you think me-"
Il have nOne"-in II deSpairing tone.
@But shall make it the business of my
life to find them"
you had better devote your time to
some other purpose" he eXclaims saw
agely, laying his hand upon her wrist
with an amount of force that leaves
red mark upon the delicate flesh.
Do you hear meP You must be mad to
go on like this to me. know nothing
of Adrian, but | know a good deal of
your designing conduct, and your wild
jealousy of Florence Delmaine. All
the world saw how devoted he was to
her, landmark what | say-there have
been instances of jealous woman kill
ing the man she loved, rather than see
him in the arms of another"
"Demon!" shrieks Dora, recOiling
from him. you would fix the crime
On meP"
"Why not2 l think the whole case
tells terribly against you. Hitherto /
have spared you, have refrained from
limiting even at the fact that your jeal-
ousy had been aroused of late; but
your conduct of to-day, and the willy
manner in which you have sought to
accuse me Of being implicated in this
unfortunate mystery connected with
my unhappy cousin, have made me for
get my forbearance. Be warned in
time, cease to prosecute me about this
matter, or-wTetched woman that you
are-I shall certainly make it my bust
ness to investigate the entire matter,
and bring you to justice"
He speaks With such an air of truth,
of thorough belief in her guilt, that
DOTd Is udLcu, DtNllutItu, anu, ldllllB
back from him covers her face with her
hands. The fear of publicity, of hay
ing her late intrigue brought into the
glare of day, fills her with consterna-
ton. And then, what will she gain by
itp Nothing; she has no evidence on
which to convict this man; all is mere
supposition. She bitterly feels the
weakness of her position, and her ina
bility 70 follow I'm her accusation
"Ah, how like a guilty creature you
stand therel" exclaims Dynecourt, re-
garding her bowed and trembling fig
tir atf ,nlniI,lx tknt I'll M ha