The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-05-19
Oh APTER XIV.

thaG1Eh Az
THE CRY FOR BLOOD
He dropped to the ground, and for
moment lay there as motionless and
quiet as though a bullet had passed
through his heart.
But he was only stunned In spirit,
bruised in heart. The return of his
senses was heralded by groan that
must have startled those inside, had
they not been absorbed in their own
intense emotions. They never heard it.
He rose from the ground with his
brain fired with madness.
We can call it nothing else.
His passion for Jessica was not di-
minished His determination to pos
sess her was not abated. He did not
pause to ask himself whether he blamed
her for the scene he had just witnessed,
and whether he should at some other
time reproach her for listening to Bel
mont.
No! His thoughts at that moment
If that could be called thought which
ragged like tempest in his brain
were all of revenge. A passion never
before known to him had filled his
breast. to the exclusion of every other.
Another man had stepped between him
and the object that he loved better
than the whole world else, without
whom the world and all else it con-
tanned would be as nothing. He
would call him at once to account; aye
to bloody reck oning He would not
be trified with. Whoever sought to
come between Jessica Bryson and him
self must take his life in his hand.
So he resolved in a fash of madness
this poor, inexperienced youth, pos
sessed by love and overwhelmed with
jealousy. Men of age and experience
have done very cruel things under the
spur of these hayward passions; and
this hot-headed boy would be much
less likely to take account of his acts
at such time. In those bitter mo-
ments he cared not for consequences.
His aflronted spirit cried out for the
life of his rival Nothing else would
salty him.
He wanted a weapon, place for the
duel: for he would not kill him in the
presence of Jessica.
He must think quickly, for his VIC
tim might come out at any moment.
A plan presented itself to him and
was instantly adopted.
He would drive away the horse so
that Belmont would be compelled to
return to Aylesworth afoot. He would
get to the woods through which the
lane ran ahead of him; he would way
lay him there. He could find club
and dash his brains out, if there were
no other way.
He was standing in the lane, the
horse being fastened between him and
the house. He looked at the open win
dows and doors. Nobody was at either.
A willow hedge was on the opposite
side of the lane. He cut from this a
long switch and approached the horse.
He raised his arm TO strike when his
eye was caught by an object that filled
him with savage Joy, and caused him
to suspend the blow.
This powerful, spirited animal and
his trappiu9s had been purchased by
Randall Belmont expressly for riding
the country on his protracted search.
The saddle was of the army pattern,
with straps and buckles at the back for
blankets, and at either side of the
pommel was holster. 1t YVES one of
these that attracted the attention of
Edgar Van Wyck. With trembling
hand he drew forth heavy double
barreled pistol. He examined it and
found it capped for both barrels.
Thrusting it into his breast pocket,
and without waiting to unite the strap
that fastened the horse, he struck him
a smart blow over the quarter with the
switch, and then instantly darted be-
hind the hedge.
The animal snorted with fright,
plunged and broke loose, and galloped
madly down the lane.
His owner came to the window,
watched the runaway as he disappeared
In the wood, and turned away.
Quickly did the concealed figure
pass along behind the hedge that shell
tered his movements, until he reached
the end of it.
Piercing through it, back to the
house, he saw that Belmont had not
yet come out.
Might he not remain here and shoot
HIM from this ambush as he passed by :?
he was strongly tempted to do so !;
but he reflected that Jessica might at
that short distance hear the shot; per-
haps see the victim fall
No; the seclusion of the wood was
far better place.
Determined as he was upon the des-
perate deed, he was still bent on
secrecy.
Nearly on all tours he crept rapidly
along on the inside of the stump fence
that bounded the lane upon that side
from the hedge down to the WOOD.
Creeping in places, running half
bent IN others, he reached the wood
before his rival had left the house. He
ran half way through it, till he came
to the trunk of a great oak not ten feet
from the side of the lane. 1t was one
of the giants of the primeval forest,
and completely hid him from the sight
OF any passer when he had stepped be-
hind it
He tried both barrels with the little
iron hammer. Both were loaded.
He was used to firearms; he often
hunted IN the woods; he was a good
shot. He would not fail nowl
III kill him-l1l kill him!" he NUT
tered, as if to soothe the excitement
that bubbled in his brain.
Half an hour passed as he stood thus
concealed, his nerves strung to the
highest fapSiNp