The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-18
CHAPTER yI--lContinued.l

only smiled at my agitation.
II then went away" continued my
prosecutor, for did not know but
might be accused of having committed
murder. But have returned, you see,
and just in time to prevent you from
committing bigamy by marrying an
other. know you will thank me for
this. but lot me come to the object OK
my visit. don't suppose that after the
little trouble we had we could ever live
in harmony together, but / must have
money, and you must get 1t for me.
This wild goose chase you have led me
has about exhausted my supply OF the
needful. Come, now, must have $1,-
900 at least. That will do for the pres
ent, and If you give it to mo I'll not
bother you with my presence, but refuse,
and I'll claim you as my wife'---
He paused abruptly and stood looking
at me, smile Of evil triumph upon his
tace.
Despair, repulsion and Indignation
ewelled in turn in my bosom. With q
mighty effort found my voice.
Leave my presence at once and for
that you are an outlaw as well as a
beartless villaini Leave this house this
sery moment, or will ring the bell for
my servants and have you handed over to
the lawi"
The smile faded from his face, giving
place to look of furious rage.
"Ah, that is your game, is it?" he
hissed. "If you dare to make the slight
est attempt to summon the servants, I'll
strike you dead at my feet!"
He came toward me as he spoke, his
face white with rage. drew back with
a shudder and attempted to fly from the
room, but he caught sne In q grasp Of
iron. tried to cry out, but he pressed
his hand over my mouth. struggled
violently for few moments, and then
knew no more.
When recovered consciousness, / was
lying In bod, with the servants and a
doctor bonding over me. There was
smell of chloroform In tho room. I
knew then that Don Eugenio had chloro-
formed me, and, oh, hsavensl the finger
on which had worn a diamond ring
the gift Of my mother--had been cut
from my handi The fiend-for IL ever
there was fiend In human shape it was
Don Eugeuio--had taken nearly 81, 900
from bureau, where had placed it on
that very day, and fed. He had doubt
less been unable to remove the ring from
my finger and had removed the member
with IL.
1T was the work of a robber, said,
and that was all told. My wounded
hand was dressed, and the following day
j took two Of my servants and fed from
Rome. could never dare to meet him
again now, and In my misery and de-
spair wanted to escape forever from
the parts Of the world that had known
me before. went to Nice, then to Gen.
eva, from there to Paris, and from there
to Switzerland, where spent two years
in an obscure Alpine village. Then
came to New York and direct to Dark
wood Hall--a country seat my father
had purchased some years beforehand
here thought to make my home.
But on tho very next day after my ar
rival the evil genius of my life, Don Eu-
genio, made his appearance at the hall.
1t was about dark, and I was In the
grounds cutting some flowers from the
ehrubbery when no suddenly came and
stood before me.
1--WE meet again after long separa-
tion." he said. Have you no welcome
for your long absent husbandf"
Eo advanced toward me. The sight
Of his swarthy, evil face filed mo with
aversion and desperation. He should
never nay his hands upon me again--I
was determined on that point would
take his life first. raised the stiletto
with which kad been cutting the fiow-
ers as he advanced. There was murder
in my soul, and for moment ! think
was very near insanity.
He must have OWNED what was in
bitter laugh.
I'll see you again, my little Wild
cat" he said and skunk away through
the sbrubbery. Just then a dizziness
came over me, and staggered into tho
house aud threw myself upon lounge.
1t all seems like dream now. But the
next thing remember was that Gerald
Rainforth stood before me, and then
told him the secret that should have
told him years before. He did not speak,
and fed from the room.
threw myself upon my bed and tried
TO quiet my throbbing brain. o God,
why could not die and end my miseryl
Then q sudden wild and insane thought
came to mel would kill Don Eugenio
Yes, would kill him-heaven would
forgive me the act--and then-I arose
and groped about the dark room till
found the dagger which had fallen from
my hand. Then threw myself upon
q couch and tried to think coherently.
Was becoming insane2 Yes. should
soon be mad nowl The tho-.Sht brought
kind of triumph to my soul. How my
brain throbbedl Strange lights seemed
dancing before my vision, and then
was it stupor that overcame mel
There was short space of oblivion fol-
lowing How long I remained I'm that