The record-union., 1893-01-20

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the lid. Dorabel, who was leaning upon
my shoulder, uttered pleased little cry.
"Oh, Jacki what sweet little dagger"
reaching out her hand to grasp it.
Don't dear: this knife is filed with a
deadly Indian poison, the slightest drop
OF which means death"
How awful; why do you keep it?
Give it to me-"
"No, no."
But she seemed to be possessed with a
sudden and determined fancy for it.
Confound the thing, it seemed to affect
every one the same way.
- want it, Jack, you must give it to me.
VIII take 1t to Mrs. LyleS ayah, she is
Noodoo woman, and have the poison ex-
tracted and some nice perfume substitu-
ted in its place; do, dear"
At last her coaSing prevailed and after
explaining the secret spring and cau-
tioning her thousand times, | let her
have 1t, and finding my papers hurried
off.
The next morning invitations came to
attend party given by our Colonels S
wife. Dorabel was delighted.
AS we were preparing for the occasion
saw lying in my wife's open jewelbox
the poison dagger.
Did not tell you, darling. to be careful
OF that internal thing? For Gods sake
put 1t out of harms way.' But she laug h.
ingly laid her fingers upon the carved
handle.
Now, don't scold, Jack. 1t can hurt
no one here, besides l love the thing for
some queer reason. Let it remain where
it ISL
Nothing more was said and we started
off.
The entertainment was brilliant affair,
but my heart swelled with pride, for
among all the beautiful women present
Dorabel was the fairest. She wore a
simple gown OF soft. clinging. thin white
stun. No ornaments, simply a great
cluster of dark crimson roses at her
breast. The simplicity of her attire threw
ali the gorgeously dressed women in the
shade.
How lovely she was, with flushed
cheeks, and her dark brown eyes lit up
with excitement Her pretty hair curled
in feathery clusters about her dainty
mead, whilst each little lock, escaping
from confinement during the dance,
curled up of its own sweet will.
She was standing chatting gayly with
a party OF young officers, when L noticed
I1xtrum approach the group. He bowed
low before her, speaking low. She
seemed to hesitate a moment, then
nodded, smiling. a moment later the
music struck up, and EXtrum whirled
past me with Dorabel in his arms. l was
annoyed more than L cared to own. l
had never, like many husbands, for
bid my wife waltzing. Yet, | would
rather see her dance with any
one, else in the room than him.
And then, did l imagine it? But
1t seemed to me, he flashed a look
OF triumph as he swept past me. At that
moment felt like springing at his throat.
But l must wait; no use in making a
scene. Would the cursed music never
stopf Round and round they turned,
his tall head bent until his lips seemed to
rest upon her forehead. | could not be
mistaken; he was holding her unneces-
sarlly tight. AS | watched, my face and
hands grew hot with burning, fearful an
ger. Murder was raging like a fury in
my heart. Would the music never stop =?
was Just about to rush forward and tear
my wife from his arms, when, with a final
clash, the music ceased.
Without a word or glance at him.
drew DorabePs arm within my own. She
was trembling violently. 81 am so tired,
Jach. ana that horrible man, dear, he
would not stop" Her face had lost its
pink flush and was now deathly white.
Il am afraid of him." shuddering.
terribly afraid. Please take me home.
dear. l am ILL.,"
left her i'll Toms care, while 1 went to
BRING around our trap. Extrum was
standing on the steps, smoking. passed
A-AhA h4LAOob opSdh1HS. pom INV return
he was Joined by Narly. They were
laughing and chatting pleasantly. /
nodded to Varly, and passing heard Ex-
trum say:
NO; the little filly has not kicked over
the traces yet, though, she is not, l am
sure, like Caesars wife, above re-
proach.' +"
The words, and laugh that followed
angered me. Most certainly they had
rnfnraOcn fo SOn1a ladu 1lraSapt
A couple of weeks had PISSED. The
weather had been excessively warm for
the past few days. One night | had
tossed about but could not sleep. Dorabel
by my side was aleeping peacefully,
breathing gently and regularly. No
use; must get up and go
not disturb Dorabel. No doubt She
would not waken until my return. The
long. narrow windows, reaching from
floor to ceiling, were open, but not a
breath of air entered. drew the portieres
in front of them, it was unnecessary to
close them; there were no thieves around.
Dorabel would be quite safe, l opened
the door and locking it from the outside,
placed the key in my pocket. | met a
couple of the boys in my same fix, mo
Sleep" so we wandered about for the best
part of an hour. AS we fingered in front
of Traxer's, Extrum hurriedly passed us;
one of the fellows called to him, but no
answer.
The blooming cad has got the sulks,
as usual, lately" grumbled Varly.
Finally we disbanded, each going to his
separate lodgings. Reaching home, 1 in
serted the key and stepped within, to re-
coil instantly, a cold terror freezing me
stiff and speechless. L gazed IN dumb
founded awe at Dorabel, who advanced.
chattering some unintelligible words, to-
e,.1 -
open eyes. But, stranger than ALL her
hair. hanging loosely about her shoul-
ders, was white-snow white.
She stood moment pressing her hands
against her bosom. What had happened !?
A nameless, fearful dread was upon me.
The portieres were drawn aside. and the
light breeze which had arisen stirred
their, heavy folds slightly. She still
stood, her hands pressed against her
breast.
1 advanced. With low, strange sound
she drew back.
Gently and tenderly 1 approached her.
"W hat is it, darling? Dorabei tell me ?y
She looked at me moment, with those
fixed, vacant eyes. Then a shrill laugh
burst from her lips. She held SOME
thing toward me. Good God! it
was the poisoned dagger. 1 took
it quickly and saw upon its point
dark red stain, blood. In des-
pair | stood. She had stabbed herself.
and l must stand like a helpless fool and
watch her die. caught her in my arms
and staggered towards the door. / will
save her. She shall not, must not die.
AS L turned my foot touched something
which rolled across the room. A mans
hat-not mine. 1t was not the same
shape nor color.
Dorabel watched me: eagerly she
clutched my hands and drew me towards
the curtains. Pointing behind, she
laughed the same shrill, unnatural laugh,
and there, lying cold and stiff, sneering
smile curling his lips, was kxtrum.