Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-04-25

CHAPTER XI.

Joe Topping, in a few words. made
this incoherent accusation more clear;
and, guided by him, the officers at
last drew up Clitford's motionless form
and it was gently laid upon the floor
of the mill. Judith looked at it in
silence, and offered no consolation to
Lena; but she fetched brandy and
other restoratives from the house, and
the men soon succeeded in restoring
Clifford TO CONSCIOUSNESS. When this
was accomplished, they debated rs to
what was to be done next.
"No one can come into the house."
said Judith resolutely. Mr.. Pcre-
grine must be taken to town-and the
sooner the better, l should think"
She had picked up Madame Du-
Mosques costly mantle and elegant
bonnet, and held them tightly in her
hand. The leadi.g official drew her
aside, and the two conferred together
in low tones. The result of their con-
ference was that Mustif Was taken to
the Mill House; while Clifford, who
was still unable to speak, was carried
to the cab, into which Lena stepped
with Topping, while an officer mount
ed the box with the driver.
The second officer entered the Mill
House with Judith, and the door clos
cd upon the horrible tragedy within.
Slowly, Oh account of Clifford, they
drove into Fladgatc, and stopped at
the first hotel. They were at once re-
ceived; and Lena saw her lover car
ried to a bedroom, and saw that a
messenger was sent for the nearest
medical man. She had been UNI
naturally calm through all the hor-
rors of that dreadful night.
Although she felt sure that this was
the work of Gustave, she asked no
questions and expressed no curiosity
at all she had seen and beard. Her
only thought had been for the man she
loved; her greatest care to keep
strangers from seeing her agony. She
felt that she was defenceless girl
among men who would smile at any
display of sorrow as woman's weak
ness, and she was very brave. But,
when for II few brief moments she
found herself alone with Clifford. be-
fore the arrival of the doctor, all her
grief burst forth. She entreated him
to live for her sake-she repeated his
name in accents which ut last reused
his sinking spirit. He opened his
eyes, looked at her, knew her and
smiled; and she raised his hand and
kissed it passionately. She rubbed his
temples with brandy, bathed his face,
and did everything for him that her
loving heart could suggest, but slipped
away when the doctor arrived, and
waited in her room for the verdict,
sinking down upon her knees in pray
err that he might live. After what
seemed very long time, Joe Topping
brought her some intelligence.
"Mr. Peregrine has come round,
miss, and has asked for you-least-
ways | took 1t for such; but he's
mighty bad, and so says the doctor. y
1t was fortunate for Joe that his
wife was not at his elbow to hear him
make this alarming statement, or he
would have had harassing half-hour;
but Lena did not rebuke the faithful
fellow; she went back to Clifford's side
and stayed there.
Mrs. Topping arrived the next day,
and sent Joe home to tell the tale and
rouse all Abbottsford with the story.
So many inquiries invaded the bar of
1.-The Blackburn. that its resources
were severely taxed. The landlord
was a village hero, and their young
lady heroine.
Before Joe returned home the trag-
edy had reached its last act, the de-
tails of which Lena and Clifford did
not know until months had passed
away and the excitement had partially
subsidized.
On the memorable night of his fight
from the Mill House Gustave reached
his bedroom in the hotel in state
which fully justified the remarks of the
night-porter. He was intoxicated
with dread and horror of himself He
locked the door of his room, turned
up the gas and sank into an arm chair
He could not control his shaking
limbs or arrange his thoughts, and he
resorted to smoke to steady his UNI
strung nerves.
In feeling for the cigar-case his fin
gers came in contact with the pocket
book he had taken from Madame Du-
masque. and he laid it upon his knee
while he lighted cigar and began TO
smoke and think. He had killed his
mother-he had murdered his mother,
The words seemed to ring in his ears.
He opened her pocket-book, in which
he believed lay his means of escape
of saving his life. Her very last act,
in her great love for him, had been TO
obtain the cheque she had ready TO
reward him for his obedience. He
began TO search for it feverishly, NUT
tering all the time.
Il will be off to Australia; will go
away by the first train in the morn
ing; | cannot set off tonight. Besides
Judith will do nothing until to-mor-
row, and perhaps not even then. Mus
tiff is far enough away. Lena would
forgive me, | am sure, and rather
favor my escape. for she will not know
that struck down her lover, until it
will be too late for revenge. Where
Is the chequeP My hands shake SO