The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-28
CHAPTER XII
FIEND TO WOMAN.


30 longed and feared.
How would it endl Should she gaiu or
lose all? She scarcely dared ask herself
Yet great as was her fear, sne obeyed her
husbands summon on the instant, though
the hope in her heart, which she had tried
20 keep up, died within her at the studied
sharpness Of his tone. She was dressed IN
long gray gown, over her shoulders black
lace scarf-s nun-like costume.
Royal as she entered with quick, I'M
faltering step, noted this, but he could
afford TO pass it by without the sneer which
rose to his lips in consideration OF the other
weapon he was about to raise.
where have you been since leftf' he
asked not rising from his seat, but turning
upon her a look which made her shudder,
used as she was to the evil expression In his
face.
But vainly hoping that II there was TO be
a battle between them she should be able to
conquer by that same calm power which
had before given her the victory, she
answered quietly:
"In my room"
So far as she willed But then the power
OF that evil look broke down her courage,
and she asked falterinRly:
"Why do you look at me like thatF'
because that is how feel" replied her
husband, with forced smile such as only
faced his widest anger 80 much better than
this new quiet restrained mood, the mean
ing of which she could not fathom. There
has been enough OF our wearing masks to
each other !" he went on IN, the same metallic
tone, and never once releasing her from the
magic Of the gaze which fascinated her. 1T
is your own fault that l am going to do
what ann
"he had cut the sentence in half as If to
delay his purpose. But she, never guessing
the true meaning of his words, allayed the
fear within her, with the belief to know the
worst would be for better than this daily,
hourly dread of some fresh evil. She did
not yet realize that it was devil she had
married and not a man.
"And that isN she said Questioningly.
,'Since you know so much you may as
well know all" He paused and drew from
his pocket a bunch OF KEYS, which he handed
across To her. "Amuse yourself by unlock
ing my desk, touching the ink spot on the
blotting pad and examining the contents Of
the secret drawer"
Madge took the keys with trembling
hand and heart which sank within her.
The order was so stranRe-to pry into those
secrets Of her husband, which he had
hitherto guarded from her 80 jealousy
But cinging to the only hope there seemed
left to cling to, at least to appear brave,
she did not shrink from obeyiug him In
every detail.
The secret drawer open, the first thing
she drew out was a wooden box, In which
were two or three packs Of cards and some
dice
1t needed not a word from the owner to
tell her that they were the means by which
he tricked his dupes at play-the former
marked, the latter loaded. The next secret,
however, puzzled her completely.
1t was a strong, dark leather case, con-
k,f,, etIvr
strumeDts. the use OF which she was quite at
q loss TO con lecture.
Royal did sot, however, give her much
time.
pretty toys, aren't theyq" he asked, tax
ing one or two from their places and fitting
item together with an accustomed hand.
"You don't know what they are. l wish
you did You might be of some service to
me. They are useful as well as pretty.
Useful to help me when the luck's against
me"-with a jeering laugh-''at cards, or
when, out Of pure love Of mischief, l covet
my neighbours goods, aud break the eighth
commandment
Burglars tools, ;" said Madge, in a tone
of horror and entirely forgetting her effort
at sslf-control, she flung the case upon the
table, as if its very touch was coutamiua-
tioD.
'Ah, you know them nowF said her hus.
band. with another knocking smile. 81
know more than that. l know how to use
them
And in support of his boast, as il any
were needed, he locked and drew the key
from the door, and inserting one Of the in
struments, unfasteneo the lock with the
greatest ease and skill.
Madge watched him with look upon her
face as if she would not believe the evidences
of her eyes.
use them!" she asked, the words seem
ingly forced from her lips unconsciously
t'Use them! You are not"
She hesitated. The truth was more thar
she could put into words.
Her husband, however, had no such
scruples.
''Yes," he said, putting the tools of hi
trade carefully back into the case, Il am
something a little higher or lower, which
ever way you look at it, than a mere
gambler or card sharper. ! am we'll up il
the more difficult business OF house-break.
ing, or, more properly speaking, thieving oil
every description. Are you not proud Of
your husbandp
His tone was so light, his manner 80 airy
the whole idea 50 utterly beyond anything
she had imagined in setting herself to face
the evil that Madge stood for a moment
doubling her sense of hearing.
Then she said hoarsely:
you are playing with me. trying &c
brighten me-"
81 am in no mood to do either" replied
her husband, with a change of tone which
more than confirmed her words.
But the poor trembling soul Of his wife
chung to disbelief with a uenacty which was
almost frenzy.
at can't-no, it can't be true" she said.
shrinking back with white face aud [ en-.
bling limbs. Then, suddenly raising herself
again Ia a new hope Of strength, she said
more calmly, iii is not true; | will not be-
lieve it.n
you want proofsl" asked Royal, with O
look Of fiendish delight, as if this was the
very turn he had wished affairs would take
80, don't fear! have plenty. LooE
further"
But this time she would not, nay, could
not obey him. He crossed to her side and
from the bottom Of the drawer took d
second box, out Of which he took a handful
OF trinkets and newspaper. The former
be held out to her.
You didn't know what my pretties were
Perhaps you'll recognize these sooner
They are, or rather were, your own prop
erty."
"Minew repeated Madge with a start Of
recognition, as she put out her hand 10 take
the jewellery. Then, with one desperate
attempt TO shut her eyes to the truth she
drew back and turned away. "No, no i,
can't be, IL can't be.n
II tell you they are your things as we'll
as the locket gave you in place Of your
own. No wonder Won fhougbt 10 eurh /.