Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-24

In his nearI.
The brilliant light of the room was
an aid to both, yet there were no spec
! tatOrs.
Where was Adelaide Stratton? Where
was her maid? Had the Captain ar
rived ON the scene too late? Had the
intruder already accomplished his pur-
noseo All Had there been a double
murder?
They writhed and bent forward; they
straightened and bent backward. One
instant the Captain was bent down upon
one knee: the next he was on his feet
again and his opponent was borne down
beneath the gallant officers massive
strength. Then they were both upon
their feet again.
The Captain eXerted himself to the
utmost. His lips were set tightly to-
oetber. Never in his life had he been
conquered: he would not be conquered
now.
Neither could move the other from
his place. Fierce as was that struggle
they never once left the centre OF the
room, and not Il sound. except their deep
breathing, betrayed what was taking
place.
From IA question of strength and
struggle resolved itself into trial OF
lendnrance. and each man sought to
save himself all that he could.
They bent forward and backward and
TO this side and TO that, not as willow
bends but as tough and well seasoned
hickory Yields TO a twisted thong Their
faces white AT first with the set purpose
before them. became red and swollen
from the effects Of their eXcrtions. Inc
veins upon their forehcads stood out
| like whipcordS. purple with congested
blood. II was meeting OF mountains
animated with life, tournament OF
gods battling for a world, collision OF
forces impeled by omnipotence. How
would it end?
Anon they would cease their eAer-
tons for moment aS il by mutual con
sent. only To renew them with greater
and ficrcer determination.
During one Of those brief intervals.
when they had been struggling nearly
an hour. the Captain nerved himself Tor
mighty effort.
With a quick motion he wound his
right leg around Roger Trcmaine'S leit |
and locked it there. Then with every
muscle of his body brought into play, |
he forced the Californian back.
Slowly, slowly, aye, but surely, Ire !
maine gave way before him. Back ana /
vet further back he was forced. strug- /
Cling gigantically the while TO regain !
his lost ground.
over. further over: 50 slowly that the /
eye could scarcely discern that he was
losing, and yet with every fraction oil
an inch thus lost becoming more ana /
more bereft of the power of regain
ing his ground.
Back. further back, until the Captain /
knew that the victory was his. The /
knowledge gave him renewed powers,
and he made final effort, superhuman /
in its effect.
\ loud snap. like the breaking OF (
stout stick and Robert Tremaine fell
from the Captains grasp confused {
heap upon the floor.
1t took several moments for the Cap
tain TO regain his breath. The struggle
had been terrific. Low means from
Tremaine assured the officer that his
victory was completed, and that he
need not fear Il second attack.
There was set bowl at one end OF
the room and he went to it for a >wal-
low OF water.
But he started back with an cNclama-
ton of dsmay. The marble was cover
ed with blood.
TOO late" he murmurcd. The VII
lain did his work before arrived. This
is not his first visit to this house to-
night. But the consequences of his
crime are here. will find them.
He turned to Tremainc again and
slipped pair of handouts upon his
ankles Then without deigninS him
further notice he bcganan examination
Of the room.
lie glanced at the closet door. IL was
closed Near it was mahogany dress
ing case. and upon that rested Il large
plush casket bound with silver.
He drew nearer and saw that the box
was inlaid with gems and brilliants, :
while upon it in letters of gold glittered {
the words Merry Christmas"
Impulsively he threw back the lid.
Then he uttered genuine cXclama-
tion OF horror.
Within the box. resting upon cushions
of satin and bedecked with jewels, was
4 human head-the head of a beautiful
woman.
But the face was not that OF Adelaide
Stratton. 1t was one that he had never
seen before. The expression was calm.
as though she had met death instantly
and without pain.
Beneath the head was card. and
upon that was written:
with the compliments of the season
and congratulations upon one more year
of freedom"
Can't. Williams closed the lid savagely |
and cast one maddened glance at the {
man upon the floor But he had ceased
to moan and was lying silent and mo-
tionlcsS.
Quickly then he opened the closet
door.
Inside was Il trunk The lid was
raised aud confusion Of blankets COW
cred it's contents: but aquick motion dis
covered the new horror-the body from
which the head had been severed. :
The Captain closed the closet door,
locked it and placed the key in his
pocket. Then he returned TO Roger l
Tremanc and spurned him roughly
with his foot. But he did not move nor
make a sound:
Convinced that he could leave him for I
a moment in safety, he went upon the
street. 1t was just o'clock and he
knew where TO find patrolman.
Lights were glistening in many win
dows where happy children had arisen
to inspect the contents Of their stock
ingS, and the Captain shuddcred as he
thought of the contrasts of city life.
y =
An hour later the house in Thirty