The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-08

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The door had hardly closed on Maurice,
when Marcus Gilmore entered. Fellce had
no suspicion of the feelings with which Mr..
Gilmore regarded her he was, in her es-
timati0n, an extremely clever man. inter-
esting ny reason of his intellect. As to his
bigh-tlown compliments, Feice had got
used TO them ana Needed them DO mo ore from
Marcus than from Mrs. Fenton. Tonight,
especially, she was i'll no mood to criticize
his tones and gianceS. Her heart was sore
with self-reproach and sorrow for what she
considered her own objectionable lack OF
self-cantrol in her interview with Maurice.
care you i'll, are you angry, or are you
tired, Felice, or little OF all three? Wont
you imagine me your father confessOr for
the nonce and confide to me the reason of
this CHANGE?
only in your fancy, Mr. Gilmore"
: "Do | fancy that you blush and look
alarmed-that you glance about you now az
though anxious for an excuse to escape
from my questions? All, Felice yOn must
become better actress before You can de-
ceiye mel AS we'll tell me that 1t is l who
have kindled that light in your eyes. and
brought that gentle distress TO your eloquent
mouth"
mir Gilmore" said Felice, interrupting
him coldly, as he laid his hand on hers,
maven we talheU uOlSelSe enough On lnt
subject? Even IN Jest, 1t Is well to remem-
Der that | am married wOmanp'
Married." he repeated scornfully. TO
whom 2"
But his remarks, whether complimentary
or otherwise on the subject of her husband.
were cut short by a LOUD sound of bursting
wood aud broken glass as Robert Fenton
himself, by violent and well-directed blow,
dashed through the window and unceremo-
ni0Gsly entered the room.
Felice Sprang to her feet with faint cry
of alarm. Marcus neither moved or spoke,
but remained seated exactly as before. His
face had assumed an unnatural chalky
pallor
You may well be frightened" Robert
began, IN harsh, grating tones to Felice. "A
nice welcome home for a husband to find
his wife being made love to by MS dis
reputable male relatives. | don't wonder
you're both of you ashamed to look ME in
the face or even TO frame some excuse. For
all your dOlngS are known to me" be con-
tinued, turning fufiously upon his wife;
your love scenes with Maurice as we'll as
your sentiment with this miserable coward
here"
For the first time Marcus started percepti-
bly,, but whether at the mention of his
cousins name or at the Slur upon himself it
is impossible to say.
You will be sorry you said that" he OBJ
served, quietly, as he left the room.
Robert stared for moment after his
cousins retreating figure, and Felice felt his
grasp upoD her arm relax. Selling the OPP
portunity she wrenched herself free, and
made her escape by the shattered window
through which her husband had entered.
Down the quiet garden she few rather than
ran in her dread of being pursued, until.
her foot catching in the low hedge at the
end, she slipped over into the foSSe dividing
the garden from the field beyond. Here, in
the dry grass and dead leaves of last year,
she remained few moments, quivering and
painting like a hunted animal.
Meanwhile Maurice had gone to bed, so it
was supposed; and as the minutes flew by,
and there was no sign of Felice, Robert
Fenton, after repeated applications to the
diuing-room decanters. supplemented by his
own flask, began to find the process of sit
ting up for his wife by NO means amusing.
He Invested himself of his coat, from the
pocket of which be drew pistol, and after
carefully examining it laid it upon a small
table close to the bed. Then, dressed as he
was, he flung himself upon the bed, with one
hand upon the table.
Robert FentOn was bully, but not
specially cOwardly; yet he found himself
gancing incessantly with nervous ill.,
patience toward his watch, which lay on the
little table close within reach. together with
the lighted candle, the matches and the
pistol. If Felice should come he knew him
self safe. Safe from what? He hardly
knew himself. From an insidious haunting
fear, which seemed to fill the air with
whispered threats of mortal danger.
As If at a prearranged signal, the light
was suddenly eXtinguiShed, tile table over
turned, and before Robert could rise from
the bed crushing weight fell upon his
chest, murderous fingers clutched his throat,
and the cold muZZle of pistol was pressed
against his lips. BY a sudden turn of his
head Il bert avoided the pistols deadly aim.
A flash, report, and the blood was pouring
from a wound in his neck.
"HplOi Miirderto
Roberts voice rang out through the CORR
dor. The whole attack had only lasted a
few seconds, but he was being pressed too
hard and could neither lift the would be
off much longer the crushing blows from the
butt end of his own pistol in the grasp of
his unknown enemy.
AS suddenly, as silently as he had sprung
upon him. Roberts foe left him free, and,
even while his victims cry echoed down the
passage, the door OF the room was opened
Robert, half stunned as he was, heard the
handle turn, and with marvellous swiftness
sprang forward in the direction of the
sound, clutching wildly at the air about
him III pursuit of his enemy.
In the passage outside something met him
resisted and eluded him, but Roberts hold
was not to be shaken off. The struggle of
the bedroom seemed about to be repeated
In the passage, when Mrs. Fenten's door
opened and light held aoft by her flashed
tending figures of her son and nephew,
Robert and Maurice Fenton.
80 il is you have to thank for this, you
cowardiy cut-throat" Robert said to
Maurice.
Maurice" asked Mrs. Fenton. "what
does it all mean?"
Then Marcus Gilmore, in dressing-gown
and slippers, candle in hand. entered with
an alarmed though sleepy face.
IT'S murder" Maurice called out
harshly. '1t seems l have murdered Rob
ert without knowing it-at least, Robert
says so. suppose did it in my Sleep"
HE says so? Then he is not deadi /
heard the cry of 'Murderp but had taken
an extra dose of chloral, and could not get
properly awake. What is it all, and where
is the fellow?"
''See for. yourself" said Maurice, and
then quit the room.
A light was still burning In the hall, and
rush OF cold night air swept through it
from the open doorway
Mauricei What has happened?'
1t was Fciice who, breathless with run
ming, faced him at that moment and asked
the question. Neither he nor she remem-
bered until afterward that she had called
hin by his Christian name. 1t was not
realized.
he parted her question with another.
What have you heard ?" he asked.
That he-that my husband-has been
SIS that all?"
She hesitated a moment.
No. not ALL" she said at last. SIT was
Margaret who told me. She said that Rob-
ert was dying and that you had killed him.
he says SO, too. | suppose they knowI"
he said, with seornful bitterness.
She laid her hand on his arm and looked
earnestly up into his face
Tell me what happened" she said, SIM
ply. u believe you"
He laid his hand on her with conyulsiye
pressure OF quick gratitude.