The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-12-16
WOMAN AGAINST WOMAN.
BY MRS. M. E. HOLMES.


all is complete Eustace Rivers is dead
dead by the hand OF his friend. Roy
Darrell. There is evidence enough to
damn an angel, and he viii die for it.
Now | must be gone: he moves again,
and the girl will awaken. So, Bruce
Gardyne your revenge is complete"
He stole gently away, and gradually
the form o the man he had called Roy
Darrell moved from the ground. With
trembling hands he raised his weak
body TO a kneeling position, then let
his eyes. daZed with taintnesS and hOr-
rOr. wander round.
They rested on the figure OF Alice
with wonderland scarce comprehension;
then they moved slowly on till they
rested on the dead man, and with a
shudder of horror he covered his face
with his hands and groaned aloud
1T Is no dream: it is the horrible
truth, Oh, Eustace, my friend, my al
most brother, dead, and by my hand"
His hoarse whisper fell on Alice
ears. She was recovering.
She helped herself to rise by the aid
OF the tree. then leaned against it, faint
and weak. to try and think.
Her basket lay UNDECIDED at her feet.
She seemed yet to be living in a
hideous nightmare, till, looking round.
her eyes fell on the kneeling man and
the dead body.
She uttered faint Shrek. and in an
other moment Roy Darrell was stand
ing before her. giaring into her face.
Who are YOU" he asked hoarsely.
"Wherc do you come from? Answer
at once"
Il am Alice Dornton. " gasped rather
than spoke the girl. "Oh, do not hurt
me, sir. | was on my way TO the castle
for my aunt when. when-" Her
voice faltered.
He grasped her hand.
'What:' he demanded huskily.
He would know the truth
For a moment flash of Joy went
through his mind This girl might
have seen the fatal blow struck, the
hand that took the life Of his friend
Eu.tace. She might have seen that
phantom third form that haunted his
memory.
Il saw you struggling with that
man. Alice said, speaking almost with
difficulty. your arms were around him:
you threw him to the ground. Then
You came to me. You said something to
me, and don remember what else
| must have tainted. .
The man released her arm with a
grOan. He moved with slow steps to
the dead body.
"Eustace. he said in tones Of acute
agony, my friend forgive me. God
have mercy. | was mad mad with
your words. Nou tried me so bitterly
but ! would give all that hold dear
to listen to them from yOur lips again.
for then you would live: now he rose
slowly, still gazing at the dead man.
Now, you viii never speak again
you are dead-and | have killed you,"
he drew back and leaned against
tree, then started suddenly and they
will trace this back to me. and | shall
be-be hanged as a common murderer.
Darrell on the sca!fOld. On. mother.
forgive your SON
Alice stood in silence.
1t was nighttime now: the moon had
risen. and was shining down in silver
rays on the strange scene.
The girl forgot everything in the
Hood Of pity that came over her as she
watched the rcmO@se of the man
The lateuess of the hour. the fallen
basket. her mission. her aunt : anger
al were swept away as she let her
eyes rest on him standing with hands
clasped together, and white haggard
id't.
Ills lips moved, and she could hear
hlm muImur from time to time:
Murder. \ Darrell hanged for
murder, oh. that [ could have died
before brought TINS shame on your
neal m0thtr' FOR my HE nenretorth
VII re death ior there = blood on my
hahd9' 1It Tor you mother 1t Is differ
eht. ana there Is no escape
lie glanced around IN the agony oi
MS NINA, ami Il sudden thought seemed
to come to hun: he moved to her
-" RAPIDLY that Alice shrank back.
10 not shrink from me, he NUT
tered passionately: but speak to me.
Let me know the worst at once Were
Eon atone when when death came to
nun. Or were tnere others with You;
was alone.
on a" '. "a .. IL;
II W ar II. Alice said, meeting his
eyes bravery. lew people would come