The morning news., 1889-03-03
A N OF E L.
DORA RUSSELL.
[ALL RIGHTSI SIRESERVEDl

which required an answer.
1t vas only an invitation from Miss Hill
lard, the bankers daughter, to play tennis
the next af ernoon, but as Beaton tore 1t
open and flung it impatienty down, his
servants eyes were fixed on his face curl
ously and wandered from his face to the re-
volve' lying on the table, and to the two
letters lying addressed to Lady Beaten and
Miss Forth.
''There is no answer said Beaton, in a
strange, altered voice, ''you can GO" and
the nan went, but he fingered uneasily out
side tle room door.
And presently, it must be admitted, he
applied his eve to the keyhole.
And he saw poor Arthur Beaton again
kiss he letter he had written to his false
love again kiss the beautiful pictured face
thathad ruined his young life, and then he
saw him take the revolver in his hand with
such a deadly, settled purpose in his face,
that the man forgot all etiquette and pru
dence alike. He knew the major was in his
room, and he ran down stairs and with
sca1t ceremony burst in upon Maj. Audley,
who was smoking, and glancing occasionally
at Ruth Forth's letter, which was still lying
open before him.
"Ohl excuse me. majnrr cried the man,
whose face was white with terror, but l
wish you would GO I'D beside Mr.. Beaton;
| don't like his looks. sir he's got his revolver
out-and-"
"Fooli why did you leave HING answered
Audldey, finging down his cigar and spring
ing to his feet.
He had noticed Beaton's dark looks, and
instantly took alarm and ran upstairs as
fast as he could go, and when he reached
Beaton's room he rave one sharp rap and at
once opened the door
As he turned the handle sharp report
rang out, and moment later Audley was at
Bmton's side, and had wrenchad the revol-
ver from his hand before he had time to fire
another chamber.
"Beaton are you madm be said, sternly
and the young man, from whose face the
blood was streaming down, made no a.
swar, but stood there facing his command
ing officer, conscious that he had missed his
mark; that the sudden opening of the door
had startled him, and that the bullet he
had intented to bury in his brain had in
reality cut san5ingly across his cheek, and
also wounded the upper part of his ear.
Audley, man Of prompt aad energetic
action, now took in the whole situation at a
glance. he saw the two letters lying on
the table, ard he saw that BeatOn's wound
was probably not serious, and he turned
quietly to the trembling servant who had
followed him upstairs.
''Go aud bring D.. Murray at ooce,n he
said. TEL him nothing but that Alr. Beaton
Jas had an accident, and wants immediate
assistance. Hold YOUR tongue to everyone
else, and come back here; your master will
want YOU
Wilson, Beaton's servant, at once obeyed
AMI Audley was alone with BeatJn.
"fhis folly b.d 5est bs kept a secret. Bea-
ton, he said sharply and 5 ernly; tell the
doctor you we're handling your revolver,
which by soma oversight had been left
loaded and | advise vo / to put away these, ,"
nj l,a Cd TO Lot
te-s addressed to Lady Beaton and Miss
Forth.
"Why did you stop mer said Beaton,
sullenly.
Because you are a young madma n" an
swer d Audley, with biting scorn. what"
he continued again pointing to the letter
directed to Miss Forth; "for the sake of
such a woman as that you would have
takeH your life! Do you know what she is?
A painted Jezebel, at bestl"
''You shall not abuse her," said Beaton,
flercely.
NO. and Audley shrugged his broad
shoulders. "But she's not worth shooting
oneself for at any rate. Take my advice,
Beaton. and keep this quiet; herS let me
put these letters out Of sight" and he pushed
them into one of the writing table drawers
on which they were lying, ard then began
deliberately to unload the revolver, which
he still held.
Here comes the DOCTOR" he said, as he
finished. "Dr Murray, Mr.. Beaton has had
an accident he continued, as tall,
freckled, rather good-looking young Scotch
man made his appearance. Hes losing
great deal of blood, but l hope it's no
worse; but it will spoil your beauty a bit,
Beaton."
The doctor proceeded TO examine the
wound, which luckily was only flesh one,
i A. -
though the cheek was cut across, and part
of the ear shot away. He was bleeding
profusely; and as DR.. Murray began dress
ing his wound, Audley calmly expatiated
on the folly Of being careless with fir EARNS
But Beaton said very little; be was deadly
pale when the blood was washed away, and
his fine, sharply cut features were set and
rigid, and his dark gray eyes cast down. He
felt ashamed and humiliated; he was con
scious he mad made fool of himself, for TO
try to Kill yourself and not do SO, seemed to
his proud, sensitive nature an action that
was sure to call down ridicule.
Audley, to do him ju tice, however, made
the best OF it. He called Wilson, the SER
want, out Of the room into his own, and told
the lnan he was to say nothing about the
events of the evening, except that his
young master had had an accident
81 don't want to purchase your silence,
you know, Wilson," he went on. unlocking
his desk; "but perhaps this will help you to
hold your tongue" and he put five pound
note into the mans hand, who hesitated,
turned scarlet, and in whose worthy heart
struggle instantly took place.
"There is no need for this. sir" he said,
still holding the note firmly, and looking at
it contemplativelv; az would cut my tongue
out before / would say word to hurt Mr..
Arthur"
Audley, who understood the weakness Of
human nature, stood regarding the man
with his hard smile; knowing pretty exactly
how he wanted to keep the money, and yet
did not like the idea Of being paid for hold
ing his tongue. IL amused Audley to see
Wilson's mental wriggles, and he therefore
did not urge the five pound note upon him,
which fact added to the mans Gag erness to
keep it.
"But of course, sir, you've been so kind"
he said, after few moments silence, 'fts
not for the like OF me to refuse anything
that gentleman like yourself chooses TO
give--so thank you very much" and the
note hastily disappeared into Wilson's
pocket
"That's right, my man." said Audley,
"keep what you can get, and now 60 back
TO your master, and mind you are not TO
leave him alone. Unless Mr.. Seaforth, the
doctor, OF myself is in the room with him,
you are to stay if he objects, say ordered
you to do So"
Wilson made his best bow and vanished,
and Audley, after having locked away
Ruth Forth's letter, which he had left be-
lid bi,,, ia bic hurry raturned To RaatOua