Passaic City record., 1893-01-07

lGLIGI was hHndC0 ASA S~sN>~S
to Robert Desmond, Esq" It bore
the London postmark and the family
coat of arms; recognizing the hand.
writing Of Roberts father, she placed
the letter on the table where her husband
could find it when he awoke, then bus
led herself for a timc about the poor
apartment trying to make it seem trl'
fie less comfortless, before turning
again to her sewing.
After short interval she was agar
summoned to the door, where she found
a man in soiled clothes, with which his
dirty face and unkempt hair was IN
keeping. :.
stDoes Robert Desmond live heres'
he asked, abruptly.
s.He does," replied Victoria.
"Well, give him this and don't for
get it, for it's important" and the
rough visitor quickly disappeared down
the rickety stairs.
Victoria's curiosity was aroused.
Wonderingly she unfolded the soiled
scrap of paper and read these words
"To-night, at IL o'clock" Laying the
the note beside the letter she quietly
resumed 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 theml Towards
evening Robert awoke. He found in
his pockets few cents which he gave
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, 'I shall
not open it. have enough trouble and
annoyance now and do not intend to be
further harrasstd,by reading sermon" +"
That night he went away earlier than
usual.
Victoria, again left alone, reflected
still more on his mysterious occupation.
She longed TO follow him, but could not
leave her child, and even if she could
what good would come of playing the
spy2 Sooner or later the truth must
come out. She both desired and dreaded
its disclosure. The fear that it would
bring disgrace and sorrow increased.
She took up the letter from the Earl
and looked at the envelope with some
curiosity. Why not open ita No!
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, unaccus-
toned work had completely exhausted
her. She awoke at daybreak to find
that her husband had not returned.
Terrible fears crowded on her mind, and
a deeper dread oppressed her when, at
10 o'clock he entered the room, his hand
bandaged, his clothes torn and spattered
with mud, and look of despair on his
once handsome face. He did not greet
Victoria or the child, but sank on the
cot and closed his eyes. Though tor
tured with anxiety Victoria asked no
questions, feeling it would only distress
him. After sleeping heavily for an
hour, Robert opened his eyes and said:
.Vic;oria, do not admit any one who
may come to inquire for me. / am not
going out tonight and / must sleep un-
disturbed. Do not be anxious on my
account, nor save any food for me, but
bandaoe nv hand and I 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 clue, 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 over
whelmed her.
Robert was still sleeping when she en-
tered their lodgings. The police had
not yet arrested him, but how long
would it be before their home might be
invaded by officers of the lava Seating
herself by the window she continued to
read the details of the burglary, her eyes
suffused 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. 1t
was Roberts left arm that was bandaged.
A description of the criminal followed
in which Victoria was sure she recog-
nized her husband. The police were
said to be on the trail, and it was pre-
dicted that within twenty-four hours all
the burglars would be in custody.
A knock at the door made the poor
woman tremble SO violently that she
could not respond; she pressed her hand
to her heart; her limbs almost refused to
support her. The knocking was re.
peated. Nerving herself to the effort
and opening the door, she encountered
a middIe-aged man of gtntlemanly ap-
pearance. Victoria felt sure he was a
detective.
ssIs Mr.. Desmond at home?" he asked.