The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-22

7
minds of those who knew what the curse
was that hung over them being that in some
moment OF excitement the madness might
break out. So these boys were regular
home birds. and the Iiea OF a visit u Monte
Carlo at the hight Of its season seemed to
them very exciting one.
Miss Trevellian had a charming little villa
in which. With her old aunt, aud her COM
panion, she entertained a great DEAL and
held sort Of small court Every night
after visiting the rooms. she had a card
party in her own dlawiug-roOm- Her pas
sion for excitement was Unsuitable. The
boys had promised Kate not TO touch cards
and not TO go 10 the tables; aud both lads
had been taught that a promise was a thing
not to be broken. So they passed safely
through the usual temptations of this fatal
place; nevertheless its atmosphere Of de-
spair and death was fated 10 close about
them.
One evening a new visitor came to the
villa, who was W elcomed by Fanny with a
manner which showed he was expected He
was singularly handsome man, though
past middle age. with a peculiarly super
cilious manner, which detracted from an
otherwise attractive personality. There
seemed always covert sneer IN what he
said, supposing he even took the trouble to
veil it. The boys. who were at a sensentive
age, both took keen dislike to him. The
very manner in which he viewed them up
and down through his eyeglass was enough
10 induce this feeling. They we're both a
little annoyed also at not being introduced
to the new visitor, whose presence was evil
| IDENTIFY agreeable to Miss Trevellian. They
were not, however. But all these smaller
matters paled before the awful surprise that
night had III reserve for them.
! Miss Trevellian detained this man after
her other visitors had gone, and kept the
boys up talking.
After the four had been alone for few
minutes she suddenly rose, went to the
door Of the room, locked 1t, and pus the key
| in her pocket.
The others all started to their feet in
amazement, the boys with almost inarticu-
late CALCULATIONS, the man with a sharp
oath.
| TrevelliaD," he asked, recovering himself
very quickly. lis it some little joke Of
yoursp
She was standing in the middle OF the
room looking at the three one after the
other. Her eyes glittered. The boys had
never seen her look like this and hardly
recognized her. But the man had, and
knew the signs.
you are up 10 some piece of devilry
Fanny Trevellian, he said, roughly. "Out
with it. What is it! Don't be so his
trionic. Life's too short for this sort of
thing"
Not for me" she said, In a low, intense
voice. This is the center OF a little drama
Of life which has been my work Let me
enjoy my work. Maurice Harcourt, one of
these boys is your son, and Adela Hether-
ington's child"
Nonsense" said Harcourt, uneasily.
THE child died. Don't start any of your
melodramatic nonsense on mer'
THE child did not die. carried 1t In my
arms at night, aud laid it beside the child of
her sister, and from that hour none have
ever been able TO tell which was which. 1
can prove it. / bribed the nurse to help
me- and to keep silence. She left and went
to Australia, but I know where to find her.
But neither she nor anyone else can ever
know which of these two is your child and
which is Sir Reginald's."
"Great heaveam exclaimed Maurice Har-
court, who was simply lost In wonder as
yet, and could only look at the boys.
The tell tale likeness to Frank Hethering-
ing revealed itself to him now, and he saw
that there was some truth in the extraordi-
nary story.
Arthur Monckton recovered speech before
any one else.
81 do not believe all thisg' he exclaimed,
holly. IF my father were alive you would
not dare to talk in this way"
'If you are a Monckton," said Maurice
Harcourt, brutally. "your father is alive.
He is in a madhouse. You two have not
much to choose between in your several
lots. One is the soon Of mistress soon got
tired of, and the other has madness in his
BLOOD
us this truew said Arthur, hoarsely, turn
ing to Fanny Trevellian.
Perfectly true" she answered standing
still as a statue, with glittering eyes. Your
sin will find you out yet, Maurice Harcourt;
your child will live to judge you. You
thought to go UNPUBLISHED to the grave, but
you will not. | have seen these boys reared
to despise treachery."
And has your jealousy of Adela Hether-
ington lasted till nowF' asked Maurice HAIR
court in a low voice. Man of the world
though he was. his face paled as he looked
at her. Passion SO strong and lasting
alarmed him.
Yes" she said, 'I loved you. You
sighted me and am one that never forgets
and never forgives."
For the first time Eric spoke. He was
standing holding the back of a chair as if
to prevent himself from falling; and he was
as white as death. He spoke in such a
strange voice that everyone started, and
Arthur, thinking he was going to faint, went
toward him.
"Do you mean to say-do understand, {"
he said, that this man standing here be-
GU a WOhhhus WIZ lOFC0 ult1, huu JQdb
one of us two is the child of that woman?"
EYES," said Fanny Trevellian.
us this true?' he said addressing Har~
court
II suppose &c" he said ~ don't know
anything about the love. She was too dre-
matte for me-"
why did she dier' asked Eric
"Of broken heart" said Fanny Trevel-
Ian.
"Bah!" said Harcourt, contemptuously.
In another second an extraordinary thing
had happened. Harcourt was on the floor
and Eric upon him. The boy seemed to
have superhuman strength. He held him
by the throat with one hand, and seizing the
poker from the hearth with the other beat
him furiously on the head and face 1t was
awful.
Arthur in vain tried TO interfere; the
struggle was so furious it was impossible to
seize either combatant.
Fanny flew to the bell and rang and rang
till the room was crowded with half-dressed
servants reused from their beds.
In few minutes it was all over Maurice
Harcourt was dead, his face horribly disfig-
urged. And Eric Monckton stood pant
ing and pale; and perfectly quiet now that
the paroxysm was over, but the light of
reason had gone from his face.
And Fanny stood cowed and trembling in
the midst of her accomplished work, hardly
aware Of what had happened around her.
The bitter cup was full indeed, now, and
had to be drained to the dregs.
Eric Monckton, in the moment when he
proved his birth bid good Inv m the world