The Dickinson press., 1894-05-19
a buSba3d'S
~CriMQ.
BY WARDEN.
CHAkSIEH VIII
The SOmnambullst

CHATTER VII.
The SOmnambulist.
Mr.. William BerlingtOn's threat Of
informing the police If Joseph Rad
stocks disappearance was only an idle
one, but it produ ed very stubborn
effects. In the first place, the stub
born, stony silence in which Cicely
heard it woke in him Il more definite
suspicion than he had vet entertained
as to what had become Of the treach.
crOus old clerk: in the second. it re-
duced Cicely's mind to Il state border
ing on insanity. Believing all he had
said quite simply, she did not perceive
how impossible 1t was that he should
bring the disgrace of a criminal trial
upon Of his own name. The
words in Isadstock's letter about u bill
Of sale upon the furniture opened out
q new danger. and made him feel that
escape from discovery was becoming
impossible.
A new thought flashed into her brain.
The inner cellar had been closed up,
and its existence had for many years
been unknown to the inhabitants Of the
house. until Duke found it out hy an
accident. He had discovered it. as
far rs she knew. only to herself, Min
na, Alsy, Leonard Harvey and Rad
stock himself. Out Of those five wit
neSses three only remained to he reck-
oned with. Minna's silence she thought
She could see without rOusing Suspic-
ion; while Leonard and Algy We're not
likely to come in contact with any,
one who could turn the knowledge to
~ ~ U,,I,.
could hide the entrance to the cellar
Just us it had been hidden before.
his crime might remain undiscovered.
ever IL the police should come, or il
the house should BASS to other hands.
ton to her husband as soon ~ he ann
home. She was expecting him every
moment. He was already late, in fact.
The anxious, unhappy wife could not
keep still; she wandered into the din
ing room. into the garden. rcstlessly
waiting, until she came upon Minna,
with u telegram open in her hand.
The girl looked disturbed. frightened.
You have had u telegram, too! Who
is It from? What is it?:' asked Cloely.
But Minna was afraid TO tell her.
The young wife looked so CHASTITY and
trembled SO much.
1T is upon private business Of mine.
and does not c YOU" she said,
trying to speak lightly.
But Ciccly knew better. Without
wasting more words She seized the pa
per. tore it from Minna's hand and
read the message. 1t WAS from the
matron of st. ChristoDher's hospital.
and ran thus:
"Mr. Duke Bennington has been run
over and brought here. Desires to
see YOU"
II will go" said Cicrly quickly.
"And so will l. dear"
They We're both very quiet. Clceiy
gave the order for the brousham 10 be
brought round ut once.
On learning that Duke was alive ana
in no immediate danger. Minna decld-
ed not to see him. but to let Cicely 80
in by herself; for she guessed that the
husband and wife might wish for some
private conversation concerning the
visit Of Mr.. William Bennington.
Mr.. Duke was too i'll for that. HIS
wife was warned before she saw him
that she must say very little. and avoid
all appearance Of emotion or excite
ment. 1t was with difficulty that She
restrained an Outburst Of telrs as she
bent over his little bed and kissed him.
Then she sat down beside him very
quietly, holding his hand without say
ing anything.
He would not he silent. as she
wished. The sight of her excited nm
too much for that.
mo, Cicely. l must talk" he said.
In u weak voice. Il seemed to De nv,
ing through a sort Of dull dream TN
YOU came in. but nov l am Wihe
awake, and l must talk myself sleepy
again. You think me very stuplu ~
get run over like that: but l have Deeh
SO much on the rack lately, n TINS
| afternoon my uncle William turned up
and worried me with questions
Ssh! Yes. 1 know. But you must
not talk about that. He's been Gown
to East Hill. and I've seen him' anu
you've seen him." cried Duke. try
ing to start up, his face full OF desper,,
ate onxiety. "And did he" continued
the patient in n whisper, after Il lho
mems pause, worry you with Ques'
tons about Joe Radstock"
And his expression changed, no to
one Of remorse, but of loathing. Clceiy
was shocked. 1t,
II :old him We knew nothing OF ms
movements after he left us last niglt
That was right, was IL not:' She SAT-
In a. very low voice.
"Quite right. OF course. But III
will find ont-he is as cunning as a 1ox
and then-oh, Cicely!"
Ssh" she said, and she played ton
derly with is fair curls, even while ;
Lideous %undercurrent Of only half-con
scious thought told her that this wa
the hair of a murderer. "You must b.
uuiet, and calm and trustfLl OF me
Tor my sake and for the children's."
Il do trust you, oh! l do trust you
Cicely," he burst out, with more pas
siOnate feeling than ever. Since TN
morning-when you were so sweet.
have thought Of nothing but you-evc
since l feel that l wor'hip you. Cicely
If I could 60 away somewhere with y0'
only, I could forget evcrything-ever!
thing. But l can't l can't. I must sta!
here to face it all, and God help me!
have brought shame and w~retchednes'
uIon you, too"
He laid his face upon her hand. cling
ing to her fingers. and speaking in shor
jerky phrases, the sense of which SUI
could not always catch.
ut will not be KNOWN" she whisper
ed. l can prevent i'll have though
Of a plan"
"You! But, Ciccly"-
"Hush!!'
Was it insanity he saw in her burn
ing eyes ?Duke thought so for a mo
ment, and his heart stood still. Sh'
was standing up, her eyes fere staring
her liDs moving.
"Cicely, my darling Clcely,' he criet
in q broken whisper.
And he stretched out his arms to her
She came nearer. and bent over hin
~laDain- still with the same Strange OK