Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-02-15
DARK DEEDS.
BY HENRY W. NEsFIELp.
CHAPTER VIII CONTINUED.

noticed the figure of a man. which had
crept after them in the shadow of the
wall; and. as they drove OFF, with the win
dows rafting and The wheels jolting over
the stones. neither the driver nor they
were aware OF an additional fare who sat
behind the cab.
At last they reached their destination,
small, badl Lighted street in Camden
Town. The houses were mostly OF one
story and were evidently the abodes of
respectable mechanics. There were lights
in the house at which they stopped.
Mrs. Atwood tod lizabeth to get out
and ring the bell, desiring the cabman TO
walt. Presently she heard the sound of
bolts being drawn and the door opened.
''Does Mr.. James Martin lodge here?"
inquired Mrs. Atwood
"les, ma'am." the woman replied.
''iIe is shocking bad to-nigh'. Tom
that's my husband -wanted him to see a
doctor but he was SO obstinate, and
wouldn't let him fetch one"
Mrs. Atwood entered the passage with
Eli abeth, and the street door was closed
The house was small and smelled stutiy,
but il had neat and clean appearance
notwithstanding.
May | 60 up and see him." said
Blanche Ell reatingy. ii am a very old
friend of his "a very old friend"
Yes, ma am" repliei the woman.
"You will take care not TO excite him,
won't You? lie is mortal bad He only
came here yesterday, but we both quite
took TO him-he seemed so gentle-like and
so sad. | thought somehow though lie
looked poor, that he had gentlefolks be-
iongin' to him."
''Stay here, flizabeth, " whispered Mrs
Atwood. II must go up alone >
In small scantiy furnished room up
stairs lay John Gelane half undressed
upon truckle-bed.
Mrs. Atwood saw at a glance from his
surrounding what had happened to him
he had burs a blood-vessel
ii ting down noiselessly by his side, she
waited until the W oman had left the room.
Jack, " she said softly at last Jack
do you know me, Jack ,"
Turnng his head painfully upon the
pillow, he ga ed lovingly up into her face
Ies-he knew her.
She took one OF his hands in her own
and stroked / soothingly. Nei her of
them spoke but the tears coursed down
John Deaneys face as his poor heart felt
the first touch of love and sympathy
which il had known since he had left his
home.
At last he motioned as if he wanted
some water. She poured out some from
the Jug upon the washstand and gave it
to him. Having drunk it, he lay back up-
on his pillow for few minutes and APP
peared to collect his thoughts.
Mrs. Atwood, " he said presently in
faint, strained voice, 'last night heard
everything! Observation-Disclosures l--all
about my being suspected of-having
murdered SturgiS.'
She bowed her head, and kept her face
turned from him.
40 you think did it," he asked anx-
iously.
>he could not reply, and again he re-
peated the question.
''What else can l think, ,1ack?" she
murmuied. ''You have been told, su.
pose, all that came o t at tn - in uest?"
a. es all-al that Iii abeth co Id tell
me-" He paused for breath. ''Mrs. At
wood. "he continued. you know how al
have been-you know all my wretched
fanaticism but. in the old days when we
were all so happy. do you remember my
ever having told you lie? o you think
that would do so now, when am dy-
ing?"
mo. Jack no" she moaned. ~ am
sure that you could not"
Then listen. AS lie here, within a
few moments perhaps of breathing my
last breath, | am Innocent CT that crime!
Do you believe me?"
Believe you? Oh, Jack how happy
you have made me- However black cir
stances may appear against you. be-
lieve you. upon your Wort, than you are
guiltless "
''lieaven bless you, Mrs. Atwood" he
said, ra sing her hand, which clasped his
own, to his lips and kissing it.
For long time the silence was unbrok-
en-. lie seemed inclined to do e, and she
sat by the bedside, bravely trying to sup
press her sobs, not venturing to remove
her hand from his.
A happy smile seemed fixed upon his
fea ures, as If his tho Ights were far above
the physical suterngs he injured.
~ Cu-you are still there? Don't stay
not to night Come early early to-
morrow. Early-or you will he too late!"
Then he doyed o again.
Mrs. Atwood looked at her watch. 1t
was an hour since she had left home. Her
husbs might have lie urned, and was
peri .ps wondering what had become of
her. She must go. and come back at day
light; so, without disturbing him, she left
the room.
The woman of the house had not yet
gone 10 bed. Begging her to sit up with
him and fetch doctor in at once, Mrs
Atwood slipped some gold into her hand
and said
II will be here early soon after day
light You will not leave him. will you?
i will be back early-very early" and
with her heart full of grief, she hurried
home.
CHATTER X, AND LAST.
Upon their return Mrs, Atwood and
Eli abeth found the house In total dark
ness.
Mr.. Atwood had evidently not yet come
home. Having paid the cabman literally.
Mrs. Atwood asked him IL he would call
again at daylight as she wished to go
back to the house she had been visiting
TO see dying riend.
Looking in at her husbands bedroom.
she saw that there was a fire burning
bright; within. She went In and sat
down beside it for the LII wet mig t had
chilled her. Then she sent Eli abeth to
bed.
John Delaney was innocent" she
fhnunhf no In xynnll lilo IN