The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-05-26
TOM
BRYSON'S CRIME.
BY "TH f MAJOR"
CHAPTER XYI-CoNTINUED.

n biuC vi oulOht OA
from behind tree told him of the place
where the would-be assassin might be
founi Without an instant's hesita-
ton, unarmed as he was, he dashed to-
ward it,
He was within three steps Of the
great oak when Edgar Van Wyck
stepped out from behind it and con-
fronted him.
The face of the youth was white, but
there was fierce CLEAN in his eye. He
presented the still-smoking pistol at
RandalPs breast. The young man
halted.
There is another charge here, Ed
gar cried, "and it is for you. Pray,
Randall Belmont Pray to God to par
don your sins, for your last moment has
come"
The words were spoken without the
slightest tone of bravado or affectation,
and Belmont, taking in the whole APP
pearance and demeanor of his assail
ant at glance, saw that the youth was
desperately in earnest. Yet, perfectly
cool and self-possessed himself, he be-
gan to parley with him, so as to gain
time to seize some plan of action.
Hold" he said, putting up his hand.
you would not shoot an unarmed
man?"
Il would shoot you-and as certain
as God is over us, l will Pray, [ say
Won can have but a minutei"
"How have | injured yOu?" Belmont
asked, as quietly as though he were in
quiring for the time of day.
The slight frame of Edgar Van
Wyck shook with powerful emotion as
he heard the question, and the keen
eye of his adversary observed that the
pistol hand wavered, the arm trembled.
You monster-do you ask me that"
the youth screamed. "You have robbed
me of my love; you have crept in like
a serpent, and destroyed my happiness.
Life Is worth nothing to me, after what
[ have just seen and heard over yon-
der, at Bryson's. There is only one
thing left me to do, and that is to kill
you. I'll do it now"
You dare mott" was the cool taunt
that answered him.
Another sharp report quickly fol-
lowed the defiance. The finger of the
youth was quick upon the trigger, but
not so quick as the movement of Bel
mont As the words left his mouth
his broad shoulders stopped low and
the bullet whistled harmlessly over his
head.
As the smoke cleared away Edgar
saw him standing unhurt, with COM
passionate smile upon his face.
The sight and the look drove the
youth to a new frenzy. Grasping the
heavy pistol by the barrels he uttered
a cry of rage and disappointment, and
springing forward, aimed a blow at
Belmont's head. Before he could
strike he was seized by strong hands
and hurled to the ground. His head
struck the protruding root of the great
oak and he lay stunned and senseless.
When he came back to life and mis-
cry his generous rival was sitting by
him, sprinkling water IN his face, which
he had brought in his cap from a pool
near by.
xiii mel" moaned Edgar.
Unhappy boyp Belmont exclaimed.
Your misery is all of your own max
ing. pity you too much to harm you.
You are as foolish IN your pursuit of
Miss Bryson as the boy who chases the
rainbow. She is not for you; she never
can be"
A groan was his only answer.
Poor fool! OF what use would it
have been for you to murder me? She
would thus be farther than ever be-
yond your reach. She could never be
your wife, except in name; with my
blood on your hands she would not be
even that"
Suffering from the pain of the con-
fusion, and with every object whirling
before his eyes, unconquerable hatred
of the man who was by him prevailed.
You are liar as well as q robber,"
he family said. A spssm of pain agi-
tated his face.
Randall Belmont looked at him, and
if there had been a spark of resent
ment in his breast against this poor
weakling, it died at once. He bent
over him pityingly.
You must go home" he said. You
are sick and nervous. | doubt if YOU
are responsible for what you have been
dong. Let me help you. W
he passed strong arm under him,
and raised him up. Half supporting
road toward Mrs. Van Wyck's cottage.
As they proceeded, Edgar's strength
par TALLY returned. He shook off his
companions arm, and without word
of thanks or alden he quickened his
pace.
Belmont stood still and watched him.
His gait was slow, and he walked with
difficulty, but he seemed able to reach
home alone.
Still half inclined TO overtake him
and compel him to be assisted. the
young man looked until his moving
figure was only a speck, and until he
saw him turn into the highway.
Then Belmont walked on toward the
village, bordering deeply upon the
strange occurrences of the last two
hours.
Beyond the turning of the lane into
the highway Edgar Van WICK kept on
with slow and painful steps.
1t was remembered afterward by two
acquaintance that they met him, one
walking and one riding. They said he
looked dazed and walked as though he
were sick. Each accosted him, but he
said nothing and made no sign to show
that he recognized them.
When there was no living thing in
sight he cast himself down under a
leafy tree by the roadside, and for an
hour he lay there as if dead.
The sun was almost at meridian when
he awoke His temples throbbed, his
throat was parched, his eyeballs seemed
bursting from his head; but the phvs
zeal pain was as nothing to the agony
of spirit that racked him.
Alone there by the wayside he lifted
up his voice in a fervent appeal for rest
and peace.
IF | lose her | die! Oh, kind God
let me not live without herr
CHAPTER XVII
PUT OUT TIE LIGHT
Mrs. Van Wyck had observed the di