Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-10-06

my experience was deceived, how
excusable is your guilelcssness. Now
that this rascal is revealed, it isn't
necessary tor me to tell you to put him
out of your thoughts forever, Were it
otherwise | would use any means, how.
ever drastic, 10 prevent such M infam-
Gus intimacy. But you, my daughter,
my little girl, the image Of nv Alice,
are SO pure, so ignorant If evil, that this,
Its first shadow, must he adhorrent to
you. We will never think nor speak
again of our mistake, will we, dear?"
While Falkland was pleading Grace
sat erect with head thrown back, her
swelling bosom violently heaving, her
nostrils distended, her eyes dreamy, as
if viewing scenes far distant. As he
finished and stood expectant before her,
she started as il some one had touched
her.
mo; never, papa" she said hurriedly,
And Falkland was content, Yet,
when he was alone within the library
he took revolver from his desk and
placed it in his pocket, resolved that not
again should opportunity find him
wanting.
Days passed by renewing the mo-
natony Of the past and bringing no
word or sign of Braling. Grace read
and practiced her music, greeting morn
ing and evening with the same tranquil
Indifference. True, little Egbcrt aroused
her more frequently from musing in
the summer house, but her kisses were
Just rs ailectionate, her embraces Just
as fervcnt, Once, indeed, when he play
fully crept up and snatched letter
from her grasp, she frightened him by
the sudden ferocity with which she re-
gained it, but few caresses smoothcd
the remembrance from his childish mind,
though he screamed in his sleep thqt
night.
Among the few diversions which
Falkland allowed himself was member
ship in the Young Mems Lpceum, which
held monthly meetings for the con
siieration Of social, literary and scientific
topics. He WAS a mainstay Of the inst-
tuition, and as faithful in attendance at
its sessions as the presidents gayel. II
was an evening in November when he
was proceeding down the road to the
l.yceum Building. The twilight was
heavy and dropping, gathering thick
shades from the wooded hills and rolling
them upon the valley. A melancholy
kahn to the hour controlled Falkland.
lie was thinking Of Alice and OF the
futlity and tedium of life, when his at
tentipn was suddenly seized by the
! rapid roll OF wheels and patter Of hoofs
along IN unIrcquented lane which led
tranyersely to 'the Laplands."
Falkland stopped and listened The
sound died away As if a flash from
the future had illuminGd his mind he
leapcd the fence and sped across the
fields to his home.
He entered, The newcl-post lamp Of
! the broad hallway was lighted, and
there on tile landing, just descending
| the stairs, were Braling and Grace, and
| in the latter's hands was the japanned
box which contained her fathers securi-
| ties III that instant OF detection Grace
\ gave the treasure to her lover and turned
and fled through the library, while falll-
| land, with his revolver, and Bralng,
with this proof Of his yillainy, con
| ironted each other.
Slowly Falkland drew near, stealthily
| Braling shrdnk back, theft eyes flashing
| hatred and fear, when there was Il
muiiled rash, the deep hollow bay Of
the hound and an agoniZing scream
| from little Egbcrt, Papa, OH papa,
help me "
MY God My Godn cried Falkland,
as, with face dripping with perspiratiGn
and liyid from terror, he dashed by his
enemy through the library 10 the sleep
ing rooms in the rear.
Then us Brallng stood on the landing,
trembling, unnerved, irresolute, striving
TO solve the horrible din of means,
crunchlngs, imprecations, growls and
repeated revolver shots, vision OF love.
illness fitted through the lower hall and
stood with arms outstretChGd beneath
the lamp, 1t was Grace, smiling,
radiant, irresistible, her eyes brilliant
with araor, her checks for once atame
With excitement.
Como !" She beckoncd.
But what has happencdt' he fall.
tered
Don't question, but only come"
80 out into the dull, sullon shadows
Of the night they fastened, out into Il
gloom from which the gentle starlight
recOiled-out and away from "the Lap.
lanlsn forever
Distance cnvelopcd them with hcl
nlntIe Of protection. Wealth spread
for them her banquet and extended hol
sparkling hcaller. Passion led them Il
the pinnacle and displayed the full won
ders u his Kingdom, But question, /
doubt, Il terror, c0ngGtlCl this mans
heart within him and hleached his higl
complexion dinsy gray for he realize,
that Is all these things would Diminish
So too would his doom draw near.