Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-11-29


went on, "a list of accusations against
his wife is to be found there
"Oh, l have thought of that" said
Brenda, ''but surely if Louis had wished
that you should see the paper he would
not have"-
The words died on her lips, for just
then, while they were ascending the
piazza steps, Natalie came forward from
the inner hall. Her mourning did not
become her as it did Brenda, and, be-
side the extreme pallor of her face,
there was a certain wildness noticeable
in her odd hued eyes.
She dropped her gaze before Gerald's
direct one. A significant silence now
ensued, which Brenda suddenly broke
She put out her hand to Gerald. "Good-
by" she murmured; ~ am worn out
for today | must lie down You will
come tomorrow"
"To-morrow-surely," he said. press
ing her hand. She at once glided past
her sister-in-law and disappeared into the
hall.
Gerald waited moment for Natalie
to speak; then. seeing that she looked
both embarrassed and agitated. he said:
81 was very sorry not to have seen the
last of poor Louis
Natalie seemed furtively to gnaw her
under lip. Then she threw back her
delicate head with a little blending of
scorn and sadness "Oh. if you had but
come here a few hours sooner, Mr.. Rave
low," she exclaimed, II believe that even
you might have consented to side with
me--yes. me, the wife of your friend
against the treatment have been forced
to receive from Brenda"
"What treatment asked Gerald. 81
have heard that you wished to keep
physician from visiting your husband.
even while you knew him to be in the
agonies of death"
II did not know i'll" she burst out,
clinching both her slim hands as they
hung at her sides. 81 never dreamed he
was dying! How should | dream so!
He had been i'll and ailiny-he had had
such attacks before. and wished New
York doctor of reputation to see him
ignoramus." Here she sank into enc
of the bamboo chairs that were scat
tered about the piazza, and looked at
Gerald with mixture of imperi-
business and malice. u have only
this to tell you. Gerald Ravelow," she
continued: "you may be as much in
love with Brenda Bond as you please.
but if my husband has left you an ex-
ecutor of his estate-and dare say that
he has--then shall demand that a full
settlement of it shall be made as speed
lily as possible, giving me the share to
which am entitled, for wish to leave
this country and escape from all further
insolence at the hands of this arrogant
sister. Yes. wish to go back to Eng
land"--
with Archibald?" asked Gerald,
making the two sharp words cut her un-
finished sentence like the swift stroke of
knife.
She started terribly. and then stared
at him. How do you know? What do
you know" she began to stammer.
He gave brief. cold laugh. "Oh,
rm great deal more ignorant than
should like to be-" he answered. And
then. feeling that to stay and talk with
her like this might be to place within
her power some hint Of u certain secret
it was both his duty and his desire jeal-
ously to guard for the present, he
slightly lifted his hat, murmured Good
evening"" and passed at a rapid pace
down the piazza steps.
Tomorrow will be time enough for
action" he thought. as he hurried across
the twilight lit lawns A dread which he
could not dismiss, however, assailed him
with regard to Brenda. Was it safe for
her to pass another night at Shadyshore,
with the hatred of Natalie vigilant and
asserted But soon Gerald smiled at his
own fears. Whatever evil this widow
of Louis Bond might already have
done it was sure that she would put no
future obstacle between herself and the
possession of noble fortune Policy
would be the potent motive to keep her
from all immediate mischief.
For the first time in his life Gerald
felt beSet Oy sense OF nerves. ne
would almost rather have lost hand
than violate his oath to the dead. but
this oath had of late entered his memory
with an altogether novel series of thrills.
By II o'clock that evening he found
himself in most perturbed condition
His own home, SO closely adjoining the
larger estate of the Bonds, had been
left in charge of an old couple whom his
sudden appearance had greatly surprised
After doing what they could for his en-
tertainment these two custodians had
retired to bed at Gerald's urgent behest.
The evening outside was full of soft
breezes and scintillant starlight-sum-
mer darkness. with just the least autumn
nal touch to it. To reach the Shady
shore vault would require a walk of not
more than ten or fifteen minutes. Gerald
had secured the key, having long ago
placed it in a certain drawer, which he
had now but to open for the purpose of
laying his hands on what they sought.
He had supplied himself with two OF
49,, ,,J1a, .,1 a bnv of r,otcbac a II