The Washington critic., 1889-05-28

i
the heroine, sensitive and somewhat
typical character, is forced by circum.
stances to marry for money an unprin
cipled and brutal millionaire. In their
miserable welded life the marriage
question Is thoroughly considered.
Then the woman finds her affinity.
She plans to elope with her lover, and
| Just as she Is about to leave her home
desperation, she thus dramatically solves
the problem of incompatibility. Il Cur
rent Literature.
The two stood confronting one
another-Viola white as death, with
the hard set look Of desperate and a
determined woman; Philip with q smile
on his face.
Pardon my OBTAINING YOU" he said,
especially as you are keeping Mr..
Lancaster waiting out in the cold; on a
stormy night like this II seems espe-
cially inconsiderate. But you can lay
the blame on me"
Viola made an effort to free her wrist.
Not just yet, II you please; have
so much to talk about This little plan
of yours--I must really repeat my con.
gratulations-I have watched II through
all its incipient stages with unbounded
interest. A plan like that is born, not
made"
He put his arm round her to lead her
away.
Don't touch mel shall go madp'
He stopped abruptly 10 examine some
thing.
"Ahl what's this glittering in your
hairY'
Don't touch it'' cried Viola, and
her hand was on the hit of the knife
almost at the same instant. She drew
II out and held II behind her defiantly.
is the toy so precious? A danger
Gus playing, and most unsuitable in the
hands Of a refractory pupil undergoing
much needed instruction in the nature
and duties Of wifehood Come, now,
give 1t up quietly; II will be far better
for you in the end We must have no
violence, If we can possibly avoid 1t"
He held out his hand for the weapon.
Don't oblige me to take II from you
by force. You must try TO realize the
situation. If could make you under
stand that somehow or other, by fair
means or by foul, intend 10 reduce you
to submission, and that Immediately,
you would save yourself lot of fruit.
less trouble. Your conduct throughout
our married life has been intolerable,
and we must have an end of l.. Give
me that offensive weapon and come
with me. have been long enough in
this ndsty and extremely depressing old
room; the associations are grueseme;
one can sniff Death in the very air.
Come with me. Let's have no more
nonsense tonight ] have no doubt
but that by this time our friend has be.
come tired of waiting and has returned,
wiser and sadder, TO his fireside-per-
haps, also, rather damper. But you did
your best; he could not ask more Come
with me-"
II will not come with you; will not
pass another night under your roof,
though die for 1t p said Viola.
And how are you going to avoid it,
my dear p asked Philip. "'The
woman doesn't know when she Is
beaten What power on earth can pro-
tect you now against me p
She kept her eyes fixed upon him,
watching every movement, desperate
and defiant. He moved close up to her
w tuhO poSocooioh Vi Vic hHllC uuu w
lead her away.
Don't touch me, don't touch me,
or -p The rest of the sentence
was lost in sound of loathing and
horror, for Philip had disobeyed her
Advancing till she was driven against
the window and there was no possible
loop-hole Of escape, he took her in his
arms.
Don't make fool of yourself, he
said. "Do what you are told. Give
me that weapon at once and come"
His touch, constraining, insolent asit
was, forcing her in spite of all her re.
sistance towards the door, excited her
to very madness. His lips touched her
cheeks; his hand was seeking hers to
seize the knife, when in an instant-a
horrible instant of binding passion
the steel has flashed through the air
with force born of the wilest fury
there was cry, curse, a groan, q
backward stagger, and Philip lay at his
wife's feet mortally wounded. For
second-but ah | how interminable was
that second there was silence within
that chamber of DEATH The everlast-
ing boom of the waves, with their moan
and lamentation, sounded loudly out.
side.
May you be damned p
Philip gave groan and tried TO raise
less. The blood was flowing fast from
the wound. His eyes were blazing with
fury and hatred He gathered his
forces for dying curse.
May the gallows spare you for
more hideous fate; may you suffer all
that your soul most abhors; may you
be the tool and chattel and plaything of
men; may they drag you to the lowest
depths Of humiliation; may indignity
be heaped on indignity; may you be
outcast, homeless, praying for death;
may the pride of your soul be withered;
may you die in shame and misery; may
your soul be damned for everlasting
murderess"
His voice gave way and he sank back
painting.
Almost at the same instant u mans
step was heard in the passage outside.
With look of fury the wounded man
struggled up and fell back never TO stir
again.
The footsteps stopped outside the
door, which was thrown open, and
Harry Lancaster entered the room.
He paused abruptly, and there was
moment of dead silence, Viola was
standing with head held high, the
knife still in her hand, and in her eyes
look that maze the heart stop beating.
AT her feet lay human torn, perfectly
still, the white face upturned, one hand
with the thumb pressed inward, con
spicuous in the moonlight.
Good Godl What is it2 What have
you doneY"
Come and sec" she answered, with
wild sort of exultation. She went to
him nlli h.I n...,a Ii, Liz n..l l..o... L..