The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-08-16
RICHARD PARDON'S
PERIL.
CHAPTER XIV.

x3$$SssG ~ my trembling hand.
a 3 "a 1t was no less. This
EaAg%sssn@Y letter, made p u b lie,
> would seal my DOOM
i was, then, a murderer. In my sleep
had killed my uncle, and had afterwards
| drawn the rope from his neck and the ring
from his finger. In this way it WIS that
| those articles came into my possession.
! Mechanically my hand stole to tho pocket
| IN which they wore concealed. Mdlle. Ro-
| salie smiled, and in that smile saw that she
f! knew the meaning of the motion.
| could not speak; l could net lift iny
/ head.
"Wel," said Mdlle. Rosalie, "have you
nothing to say2"
"What can l say?" muttered.
| How much higher than 1 was this base
woman. Full of venom, righteousness, and
! spite as she was, hor soul was free from
blood-guiltiness.
"You are guilty." she said.
81 must be guilty. 1 said mechanically,
| What do you propose to do2"
Il PROPOSE" she replied, in a voice Of
much sweetness, ''to save you."
ITO save me-" exclaimed. 81 am not
fit to live"
Perhaps not" she said. dryly; "but you
| have o wife and daughter. What would
| your disgracoful death mean to them3
This reference to those dear innocent ones
whose honor was my honor, whose shame
was my shame and who were brought to the
bar Of justice, would share my infamy. COM
pletely unnamed me. A sob of agony es-
capped my lips.
SIS itnot worth while," said Mdlle. Rosalie
sto save yourself. SO that they may be saved2"
"Yes. yos. gasped selzing her hand and
looking imploringly into her face. '"To save
them from ignominy and from lifelong sor-
row. o God! Is it possible that you will do
this for me and them2"
II will. Hushl There is knock at the
door. Ask who is there"
Her voice, as she spoke. did not rise above
a whisper l strove to utter the words she
dictated, but my tongue clave to tho roof OF
my mouth.
"Richardl Richardm
1t was my wife calling softly to me from
without.
'Open the door," whispered Mdlle. Rosa
lie. 81 will hide behind there" pointing to o
screen. "She will not see me. Do not let
her keep you long. When she Is gone I will
show you that you have nothing to fear"
She glided with noiseless footsteps behind
the screen, and moved to the door. for
got for a moment that it was locked, and my
wife called to me that the key was turned.
unlocked the door, and admitted her; but
did not allow her to step into tho middle Of
Gh4 :s, of.I,k
we'll remember that there was piece Of
narrow red ribbon at her neck, which looked
to me like blood. She told me that waking
and finding me absent from the bedroom,
| she grew anxious and came to seek me.
responded with wandering words and
looks, and this appeared to render her
moro anxious. She tenderly asked whether
was not well. Oh, yes, answered, was
well, but was engaged upon most import
ant task Why had she come to disturb mep
l must be alone-alonel And still she lin
| gered, and continued to speak In sweet and
loving tones, and clasped me round the neck,
and kissed me- but pushed her from me,
and bade her 60 to her room and sleep.
| You will come soon2 she asked, solicit
ously
II do not know, do not know" NUT
tered. 81 have much to do Good God !
Do you not see how you are distressing me r
Shortly afterwards she lett me, but not be-
fore she made another effort to soothe me.
| She smoothed my forehead with O combric
handkerchief, and put it into my hand, say
ing 1t was clean and cool, and would refresh
me. AS she crossed the threshold quickly
| l,aI khn IoN hn,. Ab1h ho. 1lrn,.
| chief fell from my hand. Mdlle. Rosalie,
gliding forward from her hiding-place be-
hind the screen, picked it up and toyed with
1t, and l made no attempt to take it from
her. The vital issue at stake completely on
crossed me.
eve are free now from intrusion" shc
said, ''and our business will not tuke long"
"Business2" l muttered "What bust.
ness?"
"The business of saving your life." she
replied. II have terms to propose"
Name them."
First" she said, and now her voice as
sumed now phase of malignity, tell me
what you think was doing while was hid.
ing behind the screen?"
"DoingG Nothing"
Not even listening2"
"Ah, yes; you could not help doing that 7"
"Of course not. 1t is not to be supposed
that would play the part OF cavesdropper
unless was compelled. Such an infamous
woman as am That is what you called me
few minutes ago. I believe. l was a liar
and a thief as well, was not? l like to be
correct. And but a few short hours before
that you discharged me in manner that
would ruin the fair fame OF any lady, and in
formed me that was not fit assoclnte for
your wife and daughter. And yet am going
to save them; yes, indeed am, and to sive
you tool But must tell YOU first what J
was doing while your wife was here. Twas
taking down In shorthand everysword that
was spoken between you. You had no Idea
oil the extent OF my accomplishments, had
your l am really accomplished. Years ago
learned shorthand, and it used to bring me
In few shiliings. Oh, what hard life I have
had what a bitter, crue! life But am 60
ing to enjoy mysel: now that have chance.
You sec, with this handkerchief and this
iittle piece of paper In my hand can 60 to
your wife and say. Not only is your hus-
band murderer, but between him and me
there is Well, she can guess the rest
when prove to her, by relating what you
! said to each other just now, that was in