The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-27
ICoPrR1eHr, 1892, BY TrLLorsoN & soS.I

N. not far from the ball-how be
reached il he never knew, nor, indeed, any
thing save that once within a little dark
room in poor lodging house in one Of the
most obscure parts OF the town-he
crouched down hiding his feet from the
Light clenching his hands at his heart, pray
Ing, almost as 10 were uncousclously, that
death would come and end his misery.
But the hours had passed, night succeeded
day, which in its turn gave place to night
again, and still he lIved-if, indeed, II YES
life go to crouch, like stricken hound.
herself, aud reason once more began TO
look, il not to the future, at least at the
facts of the present.
His first course was 10 try and gain some
news of the hall. but with very little result.
1t was too busy a town for gossip con-
corning a place 50 unlmportant to be CT
much account.
A newspaper, however, vaguely stated
that the marriage of Sir Lawrence hunting
fordis daughter was postponed, owing 20
the illness Of the bride. who was, however,
ia no danger.
Relieved OF his fears for Nellie, at least so
far rs her health was concerned, Leo gave
wav TO the instincts within him which babe
him face the matter. and do what he could
for the best.
Then 1t was that the full horror of his
kullLs uElNGu away DS bbC A4ihkAC "a Vic hbbAO
lind girls love, returned, aud because of
the knowledge of the loss OF that love, with
double the energy of formerly.
For some time he was nearly beside him
self
Over and over again the battle between
guilt and innocence, II not the fear Of
death, the cliuginR to life, which is the
handspring Of youth, and the desire 20 atone
for the horrible crime by meeting punish
ment brsvely. was fought. aud each time
with the same result.
Only each time that new terror OF a way
to escape all consequences on earth, by
seeking death at his own hand, grew less
and less.
But his heart was true TO belief in the
divine mercy, and realizing the horror Of
this new sin, aud his own growing weak
ness, Ia very despair he determined to end
the fight while he had power.
Already he had supplied himself with the
meaus for confession. Selling
these. he hastily wrote q few brief lines to
the inspector of the police in the town.
crushed them into an envelope. and turned
TO leave the room.
He had not done so since his first entry,
ard for q moment be hesitsted.
Then feeling anew that now or never
could be save his soul from even yet wore
evil than was already upon it, he forced
himself to make this las effort of will.
The lsndlady saw him go out with some
surprise. Indeed she was not q little Curl
rus about him. For although he had paid
literally in advance with the wedding
'ees he had, on being asked to give bis
name replied hastily that he should have no
etters nor visitors, and wished his presence
wen III the house to be kept secret.
Mrs. Grimms was, however. too glad Of
he money, and too used TO what she called
hady customers, her house being indeed a
endeZvous, although Leo did not know it,
or persons whose doings IN the town we're
lot performed in dAylight-to lose her
odger from any oversqueamishness as to
Ways or character.
She was not, moreover, destined to have
Ter curiosity satisfied, even when by Curl
'us chance as soon almost as ne had left the
louse, there arrived for Leo not only a
etter. but visitor, both Of which apper-
aimed TO him, but only by description.
The letter was marked Private and
brought by little urchin.
Mrs. GrlmmB carried it upstairs and put
. on fsr lodger's table.
Tho visitor was Royal.
He had been having no verv TRANQUIL
time of 1t sinoe the accomplishment OF his
plan to stay the wedding; indeed had more
than once wondered whether his brilliant
dea was not likely to bring him into greater
danger than il he had risked allowing the
marriage 10 TAKE place.
He had acted on the spur of TIE moment.
At the very onset he had met with q serious
bar to his plans, in his victims abrupt
flight and successful hiding.
To once more bring him in subsection
would be no difficult task, but how was
this to be acco nplished at all when he had
vanished 50 completely as it were from the
face Of the earth, leaving no trace behind?
kOyel however, wac not to be- easily
nn1 hNg p in IL .
Cor mis- safety.
He did not for moment give up the
search until ended Ia his at last unearthing
his prey.
His arrival at Leo's lodgings was Singh
larry opPortuue, for being shown up into mis-
room by Mrs. Grimms, VINO Yves much inn
pressed by MS grand air, he was not slow To
look about him.
his eve lighting upon the letter on the
table, be ct once picked it up aud examined
it with some attention and surprise.
;'Madges writing-Pll swear t. It," he
said to himself, Though she has tried to
disguise it. It's not the thug know TO
open letters not addressed to oneself; but
every man should see his wifes correspond
euce, especially when it is with another
man, and most particularly when that
other man may hand him over at any
moment to Justice"
So saying, he coolly opened the letter and
read the lines it contained; then with one
Of his most diabolical smiles put it iuto the
pocket.
II shall take the liberty Of suppressing
this, and answering it-in person. Or
stay exchange is no robbery. I'll leave
this in its place. 1t will be a neat little re-
minder to the boy, and perhaps do my work
for me-"
Aud be laid upon the table little pistol,
the one in fact which ne had always carried
about him until the fatal night and which
IN iIeo's hand accomplished as he believed,
such deadly purpose.
Such u touch as its return to Leo now was
true TO Royals deviltry. which wasnot slow
to realise how this last turn of affairs was
likely to have acted upon the young mans
already bruised heart and conscience.
just OF that moment there came the sound
of step upon the stair.
Forester! I'll watch him first and see
what mood he's in, =" said Royal. "a mistake
now will ruin all"
AID stepping across to the open window,
which was covered by dingy red curtains.
ne passed on TO the balcony without, draw
ing the curtains so as to conceal his pres
ence,
Almost as he did so Leo entered the room.
pale and trembling, and bearing upon him
the sad traces of what those long hours of
agony had been to him.
In the midst of bis other thoughts he
seemed to have forgotten the object of his