Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-12-15
THE %F|NCER-END.'ss, o..

Have you forgotten how like a thiefI
riled his pockets OF the key of that iron
safe. and then when he slept crept into his
room and pat it back where | had taken it
from? If il had not been for me he would
have caught you at the work. Do YOU not
remember how | came in and found you
there. almost on the spot where You now
stand. trembling, half-fainting, and warned
Won to hide behind the screen, as he was on
the stairs? Without my aid you woild never
have been abe TO gain possession OF the dia-
mond he intended for her"
.Diamond." she said. You, too. speak
OF a diamond. What diamond? | know
nothing of it. Never saw it."
Did YOU not take ii from tie safe" he
asked in tones of aS'Onl>llment
NO" she replied in a cod sncering tone.
'IIow little You know. 1t was TO see if there
were any letters of hers hidden there that !
went 20 the safe. 1t was because | was Jeal-
ous, because II loved him III spite of all.
BY the way" she added after a moments
pause, and llurricdly, you found me almost
faintlng, You say, when You burst into the
room. have thought Of that since. why
did YOU come III with Il false alarm? 1T was
false alarm, l believe, and you gave 1t,
knowingly"
Il may confess to that now. wanted an
excuse to be with you-to help YOU"
You would have done SO by watching
outside. You mean you would spy my ae-
tons. ! owe you a lifelong hatred for that
mornings work."
Me-" he gasped. Why"
She stretched towards him her right hand,
the hand on which she always wore a glove.
There were no letters in the safe, such as |
sought f~or-nothing that expected 10 find.
ON your sudden entrance into the ROOM,
fearing that my husband had returned, that
| was discovered, | dashed down the iron
iii # the safe in my fright. In doing so |
CauLht the little finger OF my hand in and
cut il of at the first joint. 1t was almost
severed from my hand. In my terror OF be-
INK discovered by my husband, /, quick as
thought, tore what yet held me prisoner
away. That is why you found me in Il treni-
bic, almost fainting-deadly SEX. When !
cot yOu out OF the room-When you had
played your clever trick. opened the safe
once more and removed the mangled frag-
ment of my hand. This isa secret that !
have kept hitherto from every soul, 4 secret
that | had intended 10 carry with me and
burg in the grave, and il is YOU who have
dragged il from me-t0 what cndH"
lie was staggered, rendered Speechlcss by
this oWthreah.
81 would have lost both my hands rather
than this should have occurred he said in
q tom which, if not that of genuine feeling,
was ~ any rate n good imitation; "how can
| aope yOl 10 forgive me? You must hate
me-
"You are right" she said with q bitter
lau@.; Il Do. What else 10 You expect
Not b.Cause lOu have Indirectly helped TO
cripple mo, but | can read your poor greedy
nature. can see through this sham love
nonsense. value You for what YOU area
servant, and rs one will pay you for the
services you have rendered me-
His face was dcathiy white; his teeth
close set. With two strides he reached the
spot whore She stood, and momcnt after
had caught her in his arms.
"You must listen. You shall not treat me
in this way. You led me on, and now |
swear by Heaven, love yoa, and cannot
live without your
Bat with an almost Suporluman strength
she wrcnched herself from his grasp. strik-
Ing him a savage blow in thc face. and rush
ing towards the bell, rang it furiously.
Mr.. Chawles and a fcllow->ervant came
in answer to the loud summons.
Let this person take what things belong
10 him and leave this house within an hour.
Any claim he may have against me he can
make through my solicitor"
Without q word Craven crept away, crest
fallen, Inundated. Within an hours tinc
ne had locked his property in his por.man-
teau and left the house, carrying it with
Lin, not staying to bid anyone goodbye.
But before he left he found time 10 write
these lines, which he left forLady Fordyce:
1T is well that you should know how it
was that Mass0ni learnt the full particulars
Of your husbands intrigue with the opera
dancer. 1t WAS | who told him all :"