Dodge City times., 1890-11-14
A DARK SECRET.
The Story Of a Tragic
Life Drama.
By E NJ. DAvY.
CHAPTER XIV,

By T. N. DAVY.
CHAPTER XIV.
rAs IT JEALOUSY?
a .XA5Sgthough 1 were un-
s&AXZ8 der the influence
S@k Of spell, and
vRA ~ that my wife, by
2N6e EkEsS@ speaking to me,
XSHSa kekS> broke it.
35 13Ez Il beg your par
@&S@5A don, Doctor, said
STNES ) I; then glanced
NA&EENSk swiftly round tho
~E~%~ table to see if my
2k abstraction b d
SEXY been remarked, and decided
Il was only calling your at
NJ tention to the appalling fact
that we have "a chiel among
us taking notes." laughed
Gascoigne. Your London
friend, Mr. Hawks, is desirous
of carving away with him some impress
sions of Northshire. He says the na-
tiyes have no characteristics save their
burr Can You suggest any, Dudley"
could not, and said so simply.
Mrs. Armstrong; tales of her snces-
tors would suit you splendidly. Mr..
Hawks, said George. Their character
istics appear to have been murder and
robbery. Most of them were hanged for
cattle stealing. She boasts Of it. She
says also that Northshire never could be
conquered. William the Norman had to
leave it out of his Doomsday Book"
Fact, Mrs. Dudley?" asked Charlie.
1t is history"
Down it goes then"
Il witnessed a little scene TO- day that
may interest you," said Gascoigne, ad-
dressing himself principally to Charlie.
4 was coming through pit village. A
big, burly fellow-North-C -Countrymen
are usually SO described, you know-was
lounging with his back against a wall
His hands were thrust deep into his
pockets; he was tipsy; there was the hap
piest smile imaginable upon his face. A
woman-I presume his wife-carrying a
young child. went and talked to him.
was not near enough to hear, but the pam
tomime amused me. 1t seemed she was
asking him to go home, but her words ap-
parently had no effect. Presently she
stamped her foot. talking more and more
excitedly; he neither moved nor spoke
he only smiled. Next she slapped his
face; once, twice,
Still smiling in slow, lazy, half-con-
semptuous way, he drew one hand from
his pocket to put her from him. In SO
doing, he somehow touched the child.
The woman, reused to fury, deposited
the baby on the muddy road and rushed
at him. She snat ched off his hat. pulled
it to pieces with her hands, and, not con-
tent with that, she tore it with her teeth,
then flung it down and danced upon it.
At length, suddenly pausing, she looked
at her lord and master. He had not
moved. His hands were in his pockets
and he still smiled Then she picked up
the child and left him. Two policemen
were looking on. They seemed to enjoy
the sight as much as did. Mr.. Hawks,
that was Northsire man."
Thanks, Doctor" said Charlie, I'll
take him for type"
And much in this vein the conversation
continued to flow, though / joined little
in it, and Edna less.
We remained very short time at table
after the ladies left US and, in crossing
the hall to join them N the drawing room,
fingered behind Gascoigne and Hawks.
was in no haste to find myself again
in Edna's presence. / felt guilty, almost
as though my wretched secret were writ
ten on my face.
When did go into the drawing-room
George was singing, Gascoigne stand
ing by her, his back toward me- Hawks
beckoned me to the far side of the room,
where Edna and he were sitting. Edna
was telling him tales of the rebellion of
As, of Diltson and the Derwentwaters. /
sat down and listened, silent and SPELL
bound, to the soft voice of the charmer.
Meanwhile George had ceased singing
and remained at the piano with Gas
coigne.
After time the Doctor came and held
out his hand:
Goodnight, Dudley" said he. I've
got to walk back, SO it's time set off.
In vain ] urged him to stay, even sug.
gesting a smoke for 'auld lang syne
But he was proof against temptation; so
Charlie and l went with him to the hall
door.
Come and see us again soon, said I.
Whenever you ask me-" he answered
readily, and, with a hearty Goodnight, !"
departed.
1 told Hawks he would find the where
withal for q smoke and drink in the
library, where would join him immedi-
drawing-r room. The door WAS closed,
though not fastened; l pushed it open a
little way, but did not enter. saw and
heard enough without.
Near the piano, where I had last seen
her gay and smiling, was my wife; but she
leaned over it now In q detected attitude,
her face hidden in her hands. Edna's
hand was on her shoulder; she was speak
ing to her in low. earnest manner.
you won't tell him, Edna? On your
honor promise you won't tell Jack?" cried
George. looking up suddenly.
Il would rather cut off my right hand,
Edna exclaimed vehemently.
She turned toward me as she spoke,
and, instinctively stunning to be caught
eaves-dropping. retreated.
Seen ghost? Look precious like il,
said Hawks facetiously, as flung myself
into q chair in the library.
"Confound everythingl" exclaimed
impatiently.
Amen" calculated Charley, with an
intonation that another time might have
caused me to smile. Have a b. and Q.
old f'ler; that'll put you all right. Strikes
me you'r re almost teetotslers herel Very
different to the old days, eh2 I'm "a chiel
taking notes, you know chiel taking
notes?' Guess III give you the benefit Of
one of 'em-eh?"
looked at him attentively. He had
had a fair amount of champagne, and
was now doing full justice to the brandy
and soda.
Go on, Hawks. I may not say much,
but I'm listening" said to humor him,
Keep your eye on the Doctor-keep .
sharp eve on himi See?"
Il don't see in the least, I said coldly,
for was still puzzling over the words 1
had heard in the drawing-room.
Well, if you don't already know and
won't see. Til put 1t palmer. That Doc
tors q gone coon on your wife, -
gone coon, tell you. Fact, SIR
Don't talk to me such internal rot"
ITS gospel truth, Jack. You've Q right
to know all 1 can tell you, 30 here goes.