Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-02-05

thoroughtare. When he was ready to
90 to bed, Mostyn, as was his custom,
threw wide open one of the front win
dows He stood for moment gazing
upon the street, which was brightly
lighted by the moon and empty of peo-
pie. Then he closed the blinds and
went into the inner room.
There was in the lower hall of the
house large clock which struck the
into bed midnight sounded. He lay
very still for time and thought of
Eva. Then he turned over into another
part OF the bed and thought about Ba-
sill. And presently he heard the clock
strike |.
Then he became restless and tossed
about. 1t was bad scrape, and it wor-
ried him. Even if he saved his life he
must expect to part with his reputa-
ton, for the affair would make a horri-
bic uproar What a fool that woman
was-what an unspeakable fool!
Two o'clock
The bed had become disagreeably
warm, and he raised himself on his ell
bow that the cold air might come under
the clothes. The attitude made him
think Of the way actors die on the stage.
Would a man that was shot take this po-
with himself if that first bullet from
Basil Redstock's weapon should take
effect. Pooh it was Il toy affair, inca
pablo of hitting mark ten feet away.
There was no chance OF course there
was chance, merely q chance. He
dropped back in bed. Then he began
to see pictures of what might happen.
He is walking down the street-Basil
comes up from behind-calis out to him
-shoots-he falls into the gutter. He
is coming out of the front door Of the
housG-some one calls to hint is
Basil RedstOck-a shot-he falls for
ward on his face on the steps. He
is at his desk in the otfice-a noise of
someone speaking-he looks up-it is
Basil Redstock-a repOrt-tlash of light
smoke he drops out Of the chair IN a
heap on the flOor-blOod on the carpet.
Now the pictures began to follow one
another more rapidly, He was whirled
along through the various places where
business or pleasure might take him in
the course of the day; always it was the
same--a sudden Cry-Basil Redstock-a
shOt-MOstyn faIls-blood. AS they
came faster the details grew dim ner,
until at last the whole seemed an indis
unct haze, in the midst of which he
could see only Basil Redstock, with
arms appraised, and he himself falling
falling
He was nearing sleep. One moment
more and he would have been free from
the torment Of consciousness.
But in that instant he heard a cry
from the street, loud and clear, the
voice of Basil Redstock,
"Mostyn! Coward Come out and
be shot -
He sprang up in bed-stunned into
terror. Alter the last word was spoken
there was stillness-stillness in the
house and in the street-stillness so
complete that it roared in his ears.
There was no chance to think it q
dream, for on hearing his name called,
MOstyn had instantly shaken off his
drowsiness and was thoroughly awake
to what followed. There could be no
question either about the origin of the
cry; Basil Redstock-crazed, perhaps
stood in the street-in the middle of
the street-before the house, and was
calling to him to come out. Evidently
he was armed, and the instant MOstyn
should appear would begin to shoot.
Mostyn climbed slowly and noise
lessIy out of bed, and CROPPED his way
into the front room. He had no dis
tinct plan of action, but when. by the
chnks of the blinds, he saw the re-
volver lying on the desk, he took it out
of its sheath and went toward the win
dow that overlooked the street.
Here he could see plainly, yet not be
seen.
There was no one in the street. 1t
was empty and silent, as when MOstyn
had looked down upon it a few hours
before
Where was Redstock? Had he gone
away or was he hiding in the dark
shadows? Mostyn strained his eyes,
but could see no sign of him.
Suddenly he remembered that the
cry must have been heard by others in
the house, and for that matter in all the
neighborhoOd about, for it had rung
out loud and shrill in the quiet night.
He listened, expecting to hear the
lence continued. Minutes passed-two
or three-tive-ten-b no sight of
Basil RedstOck in the street-no sound
in the house.
SO he turned and put the revolver on
the desk and went back to bed. Now
he began to think it all over anew.
The weakness and folly of Eva Red
stock had been surprise, but, in the
name of heaven, what possessed Basil?
Was he insane-or drunk, or had he
actually thought that Mostyn would re-
spond to such a challenge and come
out and be sh.t?" Really it was quite
incomprehensible. But it was none
the less a disgrace-disgusting damna
bic --
And sounded from the clock
-Four in the morning, and not wink
of sleep yet Three must have struck
when | was only half conscious. An
hour more and it will be daylight. |
must get to sleep or | shall be a wreck
Tomorrow wreck--a wreck"
"Mostyn Coward Come out and
be shot ~
The words struck into the man, half
doing in his warm bed, with a sudden
and icy chill. They sounded very loud,
as if Redstock were within a few feet of
the house-on the sidewalk or the steps.
There was no longer question but the