Dodge City times., 1890-11-28
A. DARK SECRET.
The Story Of a Tragic
Life Drama.
CY E. NJ. DAVY-
CHAPTER XVI-Conf.noci. il.

most impossible. 1t is Incredible to me
how the secret has been kept SO long.
Surely your husband must have some
suspicion, he must have SEEN
He has not the slightest idea, tell
you. If l thought he had, Pd-Td kill
myself" ~
the plan l was suggesting to you Just
now. You will trust yourself to me-"
His emotion seemed to choke him.
Il am thinking about it. Whether I
can bring myself to promise"
dropped my bag lightly on the ground.
! wanted both hands free-free to grappie
with Lim-to shake the truth from him,
if could get at it no other way.
But you seemed to consent! Tell ms
again that you CONSENT" he exclaimed,
eagerly.
Yes. When the time arrives, you
have but to say, Come and will go with
you when and where you please. She
spoke with strange composure, consider
ing the terrible import of her words.
If could feel quite sure-' he be-
gan, hesitatipgly.
DO you mi.trust me? Do you fear 1
shall change my mind?" she asked, with
a Laugh that sounded hysterical. Shall
I write it?"
"A good thought. But Twill write and
you shall sign," he answered. 1t will
hel you 10 remember, and may be of use
should any difficulty arise"
They were far too much absorbed to
notice that l changed my position SO
that could now see as well as hear.
Gascoigne wrote in his pocketbook.
then he handed it and the pencil he had
used to George.
Your signature is sufficient" he said.
She wrote, and, as he replaced the book
IN his pocket, he added, 1T would take
more self-possession than l feel quite
master of to face your husband tonight"
Then you must fly-quickly, for even
o slow horse cab"-and she laughed
lightly as she s~lid it" should be here by
this time. Will you go out through the
stable yard?" They knew Of my return!
Then they had had me watched.
No." said he, firmly. Il came in by
the front entrance. I will leave by it.
crept cautiously away. I believed
knew their secret now. It was q vulgar
one enough-only the old story of false
friend and an unfaithful wife. But, oh,
my God, how l had been befooledi
CHAPTER XVII.
MY OWN TRUE LOVE.
Leaving my place of coacealment,
I walked swiftly down the carriage drive
and took up my position near the gates.
had not long to wait. l heard Gas
coigne's quick military tread upon the
gravel before he came in sight. When
he was within a couple of yards or SO
stepped out into the moonlight, right in
front of him.
"Ha, Dudley!" he exclaimed, with the
old hearty ring in his voice, as he held
out his hand.
made no attempt to take it. For a
few seconds We looked at each other thus.
What is the matter with you, Jack?"
He put the question with the most inno-
cent air imaginable.
significantly.
yes"
You've seen my wife?"
Il have
You don't deny it. then?"
No." he answered, fixing his eyes on
me with look that interpreted as one
af cool defiance. And now, perhaps,
You'll let me pass, he added.
The quiet scornfulness of his manner
exasperated me past endurance.
You're q DEVIL" cried, with concen-
trated fury, and struck at him-I struck
fair and full at his mocking face.
no p3IIi0u Tue plOM, uOWoseE, uuu O0-
fore l could help myself his arms were
around me. 1t was hand-to- hand strug-
gle. l WAS the taller, but he the more
muscular of the two, and with shame
felt that, although the aggressor, should
be conquered He flung me from him
with force that sent me reeling across
the roadway.
Jack Dudley" said he go home. Ire
quire no explanation from you tonight.
Tomorrow III come and demand one"
His assurance petrified me. With q
muttered imprecation, giddy and still
reeling, turned toward the house.
For hours walked up and down be-
fore the house that contained the false
woman whom once believed i loved.
If not us yet guilty in act, my wife wat
ct least morally guilty. Her words had
proved it. had heard her own lips say
abe was ready to leave me and 60 viii
Gasco. .gue when and where he wished
He had oaly to come to her, she said
The villain had got her written promise
too.
The lights were extinguished, the moor
and stars srew dim, biting wind begal
TO blow.
1 stepped in, closed the window and
approached the hearth, where . fire VA
still burning.
Weary, miserable, and faint-I had no
tasted food ali day. cast myself upoI
the couch, az closed my eyes / coult
afford to re-. / knew the worst now
In an hour or two's time would leav,
my home forever.
A slight sound, sigh quite near
roused me, and the soft touch of hant
upon my shoulder thrilled me as coult
the toucn of only one woman's hand OF
earth. Looking up. saw Edna Lyntol
bending over me and holding toward me-
. glass Of wine. Her sweet eyes wer,
full of tsnderness and pity. An ange
had come to minister to me, whose YER,
pxsssnee ealned ths tempest Of my sou
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