St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-05

summoned TO the door, Wtlere she
found man i'm soiled clothes. with
which his dirty face and unkempt hair
was in keeping.
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
ricketty stairs.
Victoria's curiosity was aroused.
Wonderingly she unfolded the soiled
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 sonndly.
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 Robert awoke. He found in his
pockets a few cents which he gave Vic
toria to buy food with. After they had
broken their fast she alluded to the note,
which Robert said he had read. When
she venturad to speak of the letter from
London he said: 81 shall not open 1t.
l have enough trouble and annoyance
now, and do not intend to be further
harassed by reading a sermon" That
night he went away earlier than usual.
Victoria, again left alone, reflected
still more Oh 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
spy? Sooner or later the truth must
come out. She both desired and dreaded
its disclosure. The fear that it would
I, Il
She took up the letter from the earl
curiosity. Why not open it +? No! Rob-
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, unaceus-
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 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 de-
Spair on his once handsome face. He
did not greet Victoria or the child, but
sank Oh the cot and closed his eyes.
Though tortured with anxiety Victoria
asked no questions, feeling it would
only distress him. After sleeping heav-
lily for an hour. Robert opened his eyes
and said: .'Victoria, do not admit any
one who may come to inquire for he.
| am not going out tonight and l must
sleep undisturbed. Do not be anxious
OH my account, nor save any food for
me, but bandage my hand and l 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 COM
mitted 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 a newspaper, and began reading
the details Oh her way home. Fear and
anxiety almost overwhelmed her.
Robert was still sleeping when she
entered their lodgings. The police had
not yet arrested him, but how long
invaded by officers of the law? 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 mad been wounded in
the left arm. 1t was Roberts left arm
that was bandaged. A description of
the criminal followed, in which Vic
toria was sure she recognized her huS-
band. The police were said to be on the
trial, and it was predicted that within
tWenty-four hours all the burglars would
be in custody.
A knock at the door made the Door
woman trenble so violently that she
could not respond; she pressed her
hand to her heart: her limbs almost re-
fused to support her. The knocking
was repeated. Nerving herself to the
effort and opening the door, she encoun-
tered middle-aged man of gentlemanly
appearance. Victoria felt sure he was
detective.
us Mr.. Desmond at home?" he asked.
''He is not" answered Victoria,
coldly.
Can you tell ME where or when L
will find him?"
II cannot" replied the wife. "Will
you not leave your message with me?"
II regret" said the visitor politely,
'that l cannot do so. My business is of
private nature. | will call again"
He turned away. Victoria listened
breathlessly until he reached the foot
of the stairs, then she turned frantically
to the crib and clasped her baby close to
TO die now and be beyond all the crime
and suffering and punishment of this
world" Then she thought of awaken
ing and warning Robert, that he might
escape while there was time. 1t was
the most anxious moment Victoria had
ever spent even in that garnet room.
overcome by the strain she sank to
the floor in a swoon When she awoke
she was surprised to find her husband
gone. For the moment she thought
only of him and was glad that their
humble lodgings would not be the scene
of his arrest; she longed never again to
be able to think or feel, and to be where
anxiety and fear were unknown. Her
glance happened to rest on her sleeping
baby'S face, and reyulSion of feeling
swept over her. 81 must be brave for
the child's sake she murmured.
Another knock at the door startled
her. She opened it to find standing
there the same man who had asked for
her husband few hours before.
rs Mr.. Desmond at home noW"' he
anXiously inquired.
He is not" replied Victoria.
You are his wife, are you not?"
81 am"
81 came from B. Brothers." he con-
tInued, naming one of the largest bank
ing houses in the city. 'Quite sum
of money has been deposited in our
London house to your husbands credit.
aud we would like to have him call at
the office. This is our address," hand
ing her card. "Please request your
husband to come during banking hours
and as soon as possible"
The stranger bowed and retired.
Victoria hardly knew whether she
was awaking or dreaming. The earl
must have sent money, she thought;
but it was "too late-too late, now" she
cried.
Snatching the letter from the mantel
she broke the seal, and read as follows:
Through my banker send you $1,000.
More will follow should 1t be impossible
for you to make suitable business con-
nectious with the first installment. |
thought you unworthy of trust after
Eod rn{ofOrtupa und die