The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-01-08

terms Of that curious, whimsical COM
pact precluded all reference to his In
tended act
"You. too, seemed mystifed by his
having bid me to conceal that paper in
side his coffin, ," said Brenda. "You can
not guess, can you, Gerald, what II
containsl"
'No, can not" replied Gerald, glad
to answer % directly. "Unless," he
went on, 20 list Of accusations against
his wife Il to be found there"
"Oh, l have thought Of that" said
Brenda, "but surely II 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
piaEEa steps, Natalie came forward from
tas Sunef heI Her mourning did not
become her as Il did Brenda, and, be-
side the extreme pallor Of her face,
there was . 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 ont her hand TO Gerald. "Good-
by" shs nlurmured; 81 am worn out
for today. must lie down. You will
come tomorrow
"To-moTow-surely," be said, press
ing her hand. She at once glided past
her Gister-in-law and disappeared into the
hall
Gerald waited . Gaoment for Natalie
to speak; then, seeing that she looked
both embarrassed and Agitated, he said;
II 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 little blending Of
scorn and sadness. "0h, II you had but
come here few hours sooner, Mr.. Rave
low," she exclaimed, "Ibelieve 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 treatmentY' asked Gerald. II
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 itI" she burst out,
clinching both her slim hands as they
hung at her sides "Inever dreamed he
was dyingi How should l dream so2
He had been III and ailing-he had had
such attacks before, and ! wished New
York doctor Of reputation to see him
instead Of sOme-some mere country
ignoramus" Here she sank into one
Of the bamboo chairs that were scat
tered about the piazza, and looked at
Gerald with q mixture Of imperi-
business and malice. II have only
this to tell you, Gerald Ravelow," she
continued; ''you may be as much in
love with Brenda Bond as you please
but II my husband has left you an ex.
ecutor Of his estate-and dare say that
he hAs-then l shall demand that q full
settlement Of II shall be made as speed.
lily - 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 Archibaldr asked Gerald,
making the two sharp words cut her un-
6nished sentence like the swift stroke Of
o knife.
She started terribly, and then stared
at him. How do you lnow2 What do
you mowr she began to stammer
He gave . brief, cold laugh. "Oh,
I'm . great deal more ignorant than
should hke 10 be-" he answered And
then, feeling that to stay and talk with
her Hike this might bo to place within
her power some hint Of 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 . rapid pace
down the piazza steps.
"To-morrow will bo time enough for
action" he thought, As he hurried across
the twilight Lit lawns. Abroad which he
could not dismiss, however, assailed him
with regard to Brenda. Was 1t safe for
her 10 pass another night at Shadyshore,
with the hatred Of Natalie vigilant and
asserted. But soon Gerald smiled at his
own feara Whatever evil this widow
Of Louis Bond might already have
done II 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 al immediate mischief.
For the FIRST time in his life Gerald
felt BEST by sense Of NERVES" He
would almost rather have lost q hand
than violate his oath 10 the dead, but
this oath had Of late entered his memory
with an altogether novel series Of thrillA
By II o'clock that evening he found
himself In most perturbed condition.
His own home, % closely adjoining the
larger estate Of the Bonds, had been
left In charge Of an old couple whom his
Ouddenappearance had greatly surprised
Aftsr doing what they could for his en-
tertainmen1 these two custodians had
retired 10 bed at GeEald's urgent behesk
The evening outside was full Of soft
breezes and scintillant starhght-sum-
mer darkness, with Just the least autumn
nal touch 10 It To reach the Shady
shore vault would require . walk Of not
more than tan or fifteen minutes. Gerald
had secured the hey, having long ago
placed 70 In Q certain drawer, which he
had now bpt TO open for the purpose Of
laying his hands on what they sought
BE had supplied himself with two or
three candles and Q boz Of matches. An
wa ready. His heart beat queerly as
be bagan his little journey across lots
and by dark clusters Of lonely foliage.
The ghaItly character Of his undertaking