Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1893-05-19

dull season. and the little work she
had ON hand could not be finished
for several days.
The clock In n neighborlng steeple
had Just struck 0, when. IN answer
TO q knock nc the door, a letter was
banded her addressed 10 Robert
Desmond, ESQ" II bore the London
postmark and the family coat OF
arms. Recognizing the handwriting
of Roberts father. she placed the let
ter on the table where her h.i band
could find IL when he awoke, then
busted herself for time about the
poor apartment trying TO make II
seem trifie less comfortless before
turning again TO her sewing.
After q short interval she was
again summoned 10 the door, where
she found q man In soiled clothes,
with which his dirty face and un.
kempt hair were in keeping.
Does Robert Desmond live herer
he asked abruptly.
HE does" replied Victoria.
"well, give him this and don't
forget it, for it's important" and the
rough visitor quickly disappeared
down the rickety stairs.
victoria's curiosity was aroused.
Wonderingly she unfolded the soi1ed
scrap Of paper and read these words,
Tonight at IL o'clock" Laying the
note beside the letter, she quietly re.
sumed her work without disturbing
Robert, who still slept soundly.
Her suspicious of his associates
were confirmed. What repulsive
companions he must have if the man
who brought the note was one OF
them Toward evening Robertawoke.
He found in his pockets few cents,
which he gave to Victoria to buy
food with. After they had broken
their fast she alluded to the note,
which Robert said he had read.
When she ventured to speak Of the
letter from London, he said: II shall
not open it. / have enough trouble
and annoyance now and do not in
tend to be further harassed by read
ing sermon" That night he went
away earlier than usual.
Victoria, again left alone, reflected
still more on his mysterious occupa-
ton. She longed to follow him, hut
could not leave her child, and even
if she could what good would come
Of playing the spyf Sooner or later
the truth must come out. She both
desired and dreaded its disclosure.
The fear that it would bring dis
grace and sorrow increased.
She took up the letter from the
earl and looked at the envelope with
some curiosity. Why not open itI
Mol Robert had broken all family
ties for her; there could be no good
news or loving message in the letter
for either of them, or for their child.
She replaced it on the table without
breaking the seal.
Victoria retired early that night
for prolonged anxiety and hard, un
accustomed work had completely ex
hausted her. She awoke at day
break to find that her husband had
not returned. Terrible fears crowd
ed on her mind, and a deeper dread
oppressed her when, at 10 o'clock, he
entered the room, his hand band
aged, his clothes torn and spattered
with mud, and q look of despair on
his once handsome face. He did moi
greet Victoria or the child, but sank
ON the cot and closed his eyes
Though tortured with anxiety Vic
toria asked no questions, feeling il
would only distress him. After sleep
ing heavily for an hour, Robert
opened his eyes and said: Victoria,
do not admit any one who may
come to inquire for me. am not
going out tonight, and I must sleep
undisturbed. Do not be anxious ON
my account, nor save any food fol-
me, but bandage my hand. and ! will
try to sleep again"
At noon as she went to make her
few purchases at the store she heard
reports of a daring burglary that had
been committed the night before.
One of the robbers had been killed
and another wounded in the arm.
The police had the clew, but had not
arrested all who were concerned in
the crime. She bought newspaper
and began reading the details ON her
way home. Fear and anxiety almost
overwhelmed her.
Robert was still sleeping when she
entered their lodgings Tho police
had not yet arrested him. but how
long would it be before their home
might be invaded by officers Of the
lawi Seating herself by the win
dow. she continued to read the de-
tails of the burglary. her eyes suf-
fused with tears, her heart beating
painfully, her head in a whirl The
words seemed to dance up and down
the page as she read that one of the
robbers had been wounded In the
left arm. II was Roberts left arm
that was bandaged A description OF
the criminal followed. In which Vic