Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-24

son to be hidden away in an obscure lodging. "
The servants, who had been supping luxuri-
ousiy In their own quarters, now appeared
sober and serious Of aspect, apparently inten,
upon the safe adjustment of locks and bolts
and the putting away of stray vauables The last
giimmer Of light had been extinguished in the
marques and tomorrow morning all that fairy
scene would be taken to pieces like a child's
puzzle and carted away, while the roc's egg
lamp would be sold at a sacrifice to some enter.
prising proprietor of cafe or music hall.
The footman drew aside the plush curtain,
and shut the wide plate-glass window which
fastened in the usual manner of French case
ments, and it may be that under the influence
OF truffied turkey and champagne he was some.
what uncertain in twisting the long brass bolt
into its socket
rs all safe?" asked Dolores, listlessly, as she
took up her ostrich fan and moved slowly to.
ward the door,
"Ies, madame"
Then you may 60 to bed, all Of YOU"
Madame will require the services of Elise q
her toilette?''
Not tonight Tell her to bring me my
chocolate at ten tomorrow morning, and on no
account to disturb me before that hour"
Now that the tension of supreme excitement
was relaxed Dolores felt tired to death. She
could hardly crawl upstairs to her luxurious
bedroom. She had but just strength to unclasp
her jewels-her necklace of matchless pearls
the stars and clusters and hearts and horse
shoes OF diamonds, emeralds and sapphires
which studded her bodice, the crescents
which flashed from her dark hair. She was
just able to take off all these splendors and to
drop them in careless heap upon her dressing
table, and then she exchanged her silken gar
ment for loose muslin peignoir. threw back
the satin-covered eider-down and flung herself
upon her bed, vercome with sleep.
Not sound in that sleeping household, save
the striking of various clocks. with more or
less musical chime. Five o'clock Yes. there
is another sound. AS the hammer falls on the
gong for the fifth time there is the sound of a
window opening softly and slowly on the
ground floor. Then a pause-and then the
cautious opening OF a door-another pause,
and again another sound. the stealthy tread
of lightly shod feet on the velvet pile of the
staircase.
Louise Marcel hears those sounds family in
her sleep. Are the servants going down al
ready? 1t is early for them. considering the
lateness Of the hour at which they went to rest.
She is sleeping somewhat more deeply than
usual, worn out by the noises that kept her
awake till an hour or so ago. 1T is her habit to
rise when the servants go down in the morn
ing, to be as early as the earliest of the house,
hold and to see that the days work is begun
betimes-but this morning her senses are dull
she mixes the sounds Of those footsteps with a
confused dream of the past. 1t Is a summer
Sunday morning and her kindly neighbor is
coming to call her, that she may be up and
anu away 10 the SLatlOn OF lIdZare
to meet the kindly Englishman for that prom
ised excursion to Marty lie Roi
Fond dream OF days long vanished. Fancy
bridges the dismal gulf of years and the grave
where her lover lies, and she hears his voice
and sees his face again just as she heard and
saw him more than twenty years ago.
Suddenly the face fades. the voice is silent.
She starts up in her bed shuddering, her blood
turned to ice at the sound of woman Shrek
either OF fear or pain. She springs from her
bed, throws on the peignoir that lies ready IN
the chair close by and moves out 20 the land
ing and to her cousins room. The door is
open, and in the dim light of the night lamp
she sees white figure lying on the carpet, face
downward, and standing by the dressing table
she sees her brother engaged in thrusting the
heaped-up jewels into his pockets. While she
stands in the doorway, transfxed, he Grams
the last of the ornaments out of sight, and
turns to leave the room, without one look at
the prostate form near the bed. He recoils
with an angry oath at the sight of Louise.
stand out OF the way" he says savagely, "or
I'll settle you as I've settled her."
'Thief-murdereri"
'Bosh! She's only stunned It'll be worse
for you than for her if you don't hold your
tongue. Let me pass, / say"
Not with those jewels in your possession"
she says, facing him fearlessly. Before he can
prevent her she has locked the door and put
the key in her pocket.
iuiei anu HuTuerer-yOur nrst crime has
gone unpublished because my voice has not
been lifted up against you-but there shall be
no second crime that / can hinder l am
trusted in this house, and will guard my cous-
ms property. II You have killed her your
life shall pay for hers. You shall not leave
this room till you have given up those Jewels,
and until l see if she is living or dead
She moves toward the figure on the ground,
and as she does 80 he looks around and grasps
the situation. There is no other way out Of
the room. The only other door stands wide
open, revealing the interior of a bath room in
which there is no door-only great marble
bath and white paneied walls. He grasps
Louise by the shoulder and snatches the key
from the wide pocket in her dressing gown.
stand aside and keep quiet tongue in your
head" he whispers, threateningly, and then as
she clings about him. clutching the collar of
his coat, holding him with all the force of ex-
element that has reached fever pitch. he sees
her head flung back and her lips parting in a
cry for help. Another instant and she will
raise the house cruel blow from his
clenched hand stiles the cry upon her whiten-
ing lips, and then the same deadly hand
snatches knife from his breast pocket a knife
that opens with spring.