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

ing l heard a noise as of something falling
then pistol shot, and half-smothered cry
of MurderP | tn ought that you had come
back and that he, perhaps, was killing YOU!
| tried to make for the door in the dark. 1t
was suddenly burst open, and some one
came out; he, as guessed, trying to escape.
/ seized hun, or he seized me, l hardly know
which. We struggled in the passage a few
seconds, and then some one brought a light.
A table by the bed was overturned, and on
the floor was pistol of Roberts covered
with blood. That's all 1 know about the
whole affair, upon my honor"
CHAPTER III.
The next twenty-four hours we're terri
BILE strain upon Feiice. Robert, who in
spite of the pain of his injuries seemed To
revel in the trouble and distress he was now
capable of infiicting upon everybody. in
sisted that both his wife and Margaret. the
servant, should remain in attendance nnnn
him.
Watch her. Maggiei See that she
doesn't poison me or suffocate me with
pillow when nobody is looking. Look at her
angry eyesl A precious tiger-cat [ have
made my wife, trulyW
The fastidlous Marcus showed himself for
lew moments in the doorway and glanced
with shrinking repugnance at the bruised
and blood-stained figure on the bed
Don't distress yourself so much, poor
FalIce, he contriyed to murmur in her ear:
he doesn't deserve to. And we must not
judge Maurice too harshly. He is pas
sionate boy and not responsible for his own
actions when unduy provoked"
Maurice had no hand in this" she said.
looking up angrlly into Marcus fair, aorid
face.
He shrugged his shoulders $50 fond of
him IS all that?" he observed softly, and left
the room.
Maurice, the brave and generous-minded
with his fearless dlrectness of speech, and
his love OF sunshine and laaghter-was il
possible that he could suddenly develop into
a cowardly assassin, and that she should he
the cause of so hideous a transformation?
1t was impossible for her to Danish his
name from her thoughts, while Roberts
voice, now harsh and high in disconnected
delirium, now weak and freful in petulant
consciousness, necessarily recalled it to her,
81 was Il fool to get him sent out of the
house" Robert muttered. Hell escape; .
perhaps leave the town, and l shan't be able
to get at hun to have him arrested. You
need not try to look unconcerned, Felice; |
saw you start and turn pale. Did YOU think
l was going to let him OF ?'
Then she resolved that il she had 10
patrol the streets of Cloield, crying aloud
his name, she would find Maurice and warn
him to escape. so sure was she that it
seemed in no way surprising to her, after
she had sped like low-dying bird down the
long drive and through the lodge gates.
that the very man of whom she was in
search should bar her way, standing imme-
diately III front of her, as though coniured
there by her will.
u came out 10 warn you," she said. as he
came up beside her. "He has fallen asleep,
He has sent for police officer to take down
his statement. He will have you arrested
al once, this very night, on a charge of at
tempted murder"
His grasp OF her hands frightened to abso-
lutte pain as he suddenly drew them up and
held them against his breast,
"ttllce," be said in a quick rough voice,
I'D lay down my life for you. But L cau't
sneak away and let you bear all the brunt
of his cowardly attacks, of his vile calum-
MES. Let me be somewhere near. Let
them take me. Ii | go it's confessing did
it, and people Will believe me guilty.
but | shall not" she said, her face il
lumined into wonderful beauty by the faith
and tenderness which snone in its eyery
line. ~ our word Is quite enough for me.
And you must give me your word to 60.
The charge shall be withdrawn later. And
remember, this may be-ths must be-the
last time ever ask you anything
the last time we shall meet" Ii was leave
taking without FAREWELL love scene
without word of love. Yet each under
stood and knew that their friendship was at
an end and that their paths from henceforth
must lie aSunder.
Late on one warm afternoon in the last
days OF May, Felice having read a novel TO
Robert until her throat felt parched and
dry, saw with relief that lie was doing
where he lay with his dressing-gown across
the bed. At the same moment she became
conscious that Maurice'S name was being
softly spoken very near her. Maurice sent
this! Take IL quickly. Felice! Marcus
Gilmore stood holding in his hand note,
which he threw forward at Feice's feet. AS
lie disappeared from view down the corridor
she stopped and picked 1t from the floor
The letter was snatched from her hand and
her husbands knocking laugh of triumph
rang out close behind her ear.
- | waS not so fast asleep as you thought,
you See, he said, as he tore the envelope
apart and glanced rapidly through its con-
tents. "and am not so much of an invalid
as you imagine either. This is an assigna-
ton, as no doubt you expected, and to show
my gratitude tor your kind nursing will not
trouble you to go to it, but will myself make
your excuses 10 my amlable cousin"
Soon afterward Robert left the house.
Felice hardly knew what possible good sine
could effect by following him, and yet to
remain prey to the most terrible surmises
was worse than any action. An hour later
she dashed out, aud across the gravel drive
she ran violently against man who was
coming rapidly from the opposite direction.
lie fell back with cry and Felce recog-
nlZed Marcus Gilmore. She could see his
face but indistinctly in the darkness; the
more so as he had pulled the soft-felt hat
he sometimes wore very low down over his
eyes, anu Hdu on du ONeEcOal, the collar oil
which was turned up as high as his ears.
He seemed suddenly to regain his self-con-
t;ol and asked her quietly enough where
che was going SO late
Where have you been ?" she painted out.
What has happened %
He stared at her without replying In
voluntarily Felice shuddered and fell back
from him.
go on-go on!' she cried with passion
ate impatience. After Robert left the
house what happened?"
followed him down to the town, sus-
pectng mischief. lie called at the police
station, where he stayed some time.
waited, standing where he could not see me.
At a little before s o'clock he came out aud
walked directly to the old stone bridge. He
entered the dark archway underneath.
More than half an hour passed, while l
walked up ana down about the entrance;
then-I was some way down the street, re-
member, where | could command a full
view of the archway. although it was some
yards away-a man came quickly along,
looking at his watch as he walked. 1t was
very dark, but seemed to recognize Maur-
ices figure. | sprang forward to warn him;