Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-28

dow, he saw that the SKY was overcast,
Gray day-so much the better" he
thought; there won't be anyone at Pere-
Lachaise."
During the morning he went over the
details Of the plan again, and had final
talk with Malvern, who, much to Stan
brough's delight, had thrown himself in
to it heart and soul.
Remember" he said, as they parted,
SO o'clock; there are half dozen tombs
within ten feet of the place; you had bet
ter choose one to the rear of that step so
as to be behind US. IF the police 90 with
you to the hospital, give them the i'm
preston that you're not too seriously
hurt, but as soon as you get there-weH.
the doctor will tell you; goodbye"
At 2:30 Scarborough called for Minette.
In five minutes she presented herself.
Her toilet had evidently received partic-
ular attention. She had on dark. close
lv fitting dress beneath long, light Ill
ster, which she wore unbuttoned. On
her head was an English walking hat,
from which long piece of gauze was
drawn down, passed around her neck,
and thrown over her shoulder. A white
mask-veiI completed her costume. There
was strong suggestion of the conven-
tional heroine about her appearance which
Scarborough noted, for it was entirely
foreign to her usual style. Her manner
was one of studied calmness, but in real
ity she was all in futter at the prospect
of a real adventure.
The conversation on the way was very
fragmentary. Scarborough seemed very
grave and absorbed, and when he glanced
at her Minette noticed an expression in
his eyes that she had never seen before.
As they entered the cemetery it looked
very lonely and deserted. and the solemn
silence of the place was emphasized by
the branches of the trees stirring gently
beneath the dull sky. Minette took off
her veil and buttoned her ulster halfway
down. AS they approached the tomb
Scarborough looked expectantly for NAL
vern, but he was not to be seen. They
walked around the Enclosure.
"What time is it," demanded Minette.
s'Three o'clock" replied Scarborough.
"Well, he isn't here-let's go" she said.
ooh, better wait Just a moment or two
hell be here" said Scarborough.
Minette yielded, though with evident
reluctance. They walked around the
tomb again and when they came to the
step Minette sat down, saying:
'|Tm going to rest here just minute,
ana then Well go.
Scarborough stepped back to look down
the path.
Come" she said, suddenly, ST won't
wait here another minute"
cts only five minutes past three" he
urged;
81 don't care" she said, rising to her
feet quickly, ''I'u never, never do this
again. i" She looked at STAN
brough's face and stopped. He had lost
all consciousness Of time and place.
"Wait," he exclaimed, ''if | can say
no more for him, let me speak myself"
Then in fine burst of passion, of which
he had hardly thought himself capable,
but which he had rehearsed twice in his
room before plaster cast of the Venus
of Milo, he declared himself:
''Tell me-" he said, grasping her hands,
"that you believe me-that you accept
me-that we shall never be"
The grating sound of footstep on
loose gravel startled them. They looked
up quickly. Not ten PAGES from them
stood Malvern, his figure thrown into a
strong relief by the side of sepulchre in
front of which he stood. He looked
dazed, distraught, approached them ir-
resolutely, stopped, passed his hands
across his forehead in a gesture of ex-
treme anguish; then with the conven-
tional slow cry" of despairing lovers, he
turned from them impetuously. There
was a flash of steel, sharp report, apuff
of smoke. Scarborough leaped forward
just in time to catch the staggering fig
I1ra If foll