The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-08-28

sltS 10 me, staring straight forward will
the same frantic far-off look, --the pisto
had dropped from his hand. Suddenly
he threw up his arms,-shuddered, -
and with smothered groan fell
face forward. prone on the sward
The surgeon hurried to his side
and turned him so that he lay on hi:
back. He was unconscious, though
his dark eyes were wide open, anC
turned blindly upward to the sky. The
front Of his shirt was already soaked
with blood. We all gathered round
him.
"a good shot?" inquired the Marquis
with the Indifference of practised duel
list.
ZACH! good shot, indeedr' replied
the little German doctor, shaking his
head as he rose from his examination
OF the wound. Excellent! He will be
dead in ten minutes The bullet has
passed through the lungs close to the
heart. Honour Is satisfied certainlyr'
At that moment, deep, anguised sigh
parted t'aH li1s If the dying man. Sense
and specuiai. - II. urned to those glar-
ing eyes so awfully upturned. He looked
npon Us all doubtfully one after the
other-till finally his gaze rested
upon me. Then he grew strangely ex-
cited,-his lips moved eagerly tried
to speak. The doctor, watchful of his
movements, poured brandy between his
teeth. The cordial gave him momen-
tary strength-hs raised himself by SUI
preme effort
''Let me speak," he gasped family, "to
him!" And he pointed to me,-then he
continued to mutter like a man in a
dream-''to NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. him
alone!''
The Others, slightly awed by his man.
ner. drew aside out of ear-shot, and |
advanced and knelt beside him, stoop-
ing my face between his and the morn
ing sky. His wild eyes met mine with a
piteous and beseeching terror.
SIN Gods name," he whispered thick
ly, "who are youP'
| "You know me. Guido!" I answered
steadily. II am that Fabio Romani
whom you once called friend! 1 am he
whose wife YOU stolei whose name
you slandered! {. whose honour you
despised! Ayl look at me well! your
own heart tells you who amp
He uttered low moan and raised his
hand with feeble gesture.
"FabioP Fabio?" he gasped. "He died
Il saw him In his coffin"
l leaned more closely over him. 81
was buried alive" 1 said with thrilling
distinctness understand me, Guido,
buried alivel 1 escaped-no matter
how. L came hOme,-to learn your
treachery and my own dishonourl Shall
l tell you mOre?"
A terrible shudder shook his frame
10 haa
sweat stood In large drops upon his fore
head. With my own handkerchief |
wiped his lips and brow tenderly,-my
nerves were strung up to an almost brit
tie tension,-I smiled as woman smiles
when on the verge of historical weep
ing.
"You know the avenue" 1 said.
"the dear old avenue, where the night
ingales sing? | saw you there, Guido
with her!. .....on the very night OF my
return from death,-she was in your
arms-you kissed her,-You spoke of
me,-you toyed with the necklace Oh
her white breast!". ....
He writhed under my gaze with
strong convulsiye.. movement
"Tell me-. ..Quick" he gasped.
docs she. know you?"
mot yeti" l answered slowly. "But
soon she will-when 1 have married
her!"
A look of bitter anguish filled his
straining eyes. 80 God, God" he en-
claimed with groan like that of wild
beast in pain. "This is horrible, too
horrible! Spare me. boo. spare. -"
A rush Of blood choked his
utterance. His breathing grew
fainter; the livid hue of approaching
dissolution spread itself gradually over
his countenance. Staring wildly at me,
he CROPPED with his hands as though
he searched for some lost thing. took
one of those feebly wandering hands
within my own, and held it closely
clasped.
"You know the rest" said
gently, 'you understand my ven
geance! But it is all over Guido
all over, now! She has played us
both false. May God forgive you as
1 do"
He smiled-a soft look frightened his |
fast glazing eyes-the old boyish look |
that had won my love in former days.
''All overt" he repeated i'm a sort OF |
plaintiff babble. "Ali over now! God |
$500. .FabiO. go. forgive J.. ..." A ter |
tribe CONFUSION wrenched and con- |
torted his Limits and features, his throat |
ratified, ard stretching himself out
with long Shivering sigh. go. he diedl |
The first beams of the rising sun pierre
ing through the dark moss covered
branches of the pine trees, fell on his
hair, and lent hooking bril-
liancy TO his wide-Open sightless eyes;
there was smile on the closed lips! A
burning, suffocating sensation rose in
my throat, as of rebellious tears trying
to force passage. l still held the hand
oil my friend and enemy,-it had grown
cold in my clasp. Upon il sparkled my
family diamOnd,-the ring she had given
him. / drew the jewel off; then | kissed
that poor passive hand as laid it gent
ly down,-kissed it tenderly, reverently.
Hearing footsteps approaching, rose
from my kneeling posture and stood
erect with folded arms, looking fearless
" down on the stiifening clay before me-
The rest OF the party came up; no one
spoke for minute; all surveyed the
lead body in silence. At last Captain
Freccia said softly in half inquiring
accents,
He is gone, suppose?"
bowed. l could not trust myself to
speak
HE made you his apology?" asked the
Marquis.
l bowed again. There was another
PAUSE of heavy silence. The rigid smil-
ng face of the corpse seemed to mock all
peech. The doctor stopped and skill