The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-11-09

recovered, / called in Martin. and we
conveyed him TO his room. He seemed
TO be suffering from acute pain. and
the rapidly rising pulse. as well as the
flushed face. gave speedy indications
OF fever. Between the paroxysms he
made frantic efforts 10 rise. and al
last made US understand he wanted a
key from his coat-pocket- When II
was given TO him. he clurched II with
the frantic energy of q madman, but
lay quieter, and about dusk began 20
doZe a little. Dismissing the servants.
Edna and I watched him for some
time.
You see,'' she began. with fearful
eyes and a trembling voice, 1T would
not be right for me 70 leave him. Sup
pose he had died here all alone, And
yet to-day l almost thought" The
2utstretched hand finished ne sentence.
How could / pursuade her again ?
She could not be happy or contented
away from him. She had a supersti-
tious dread that he might some time
feel tempted TO bestow that fatal
! Rothelan malediction upon her. il she
were not in all respects a faithful
| daughter. And so with sinking heart
l heard my castle go down
About eleven I sent Edna 10 her
room, promising to call her at the
slightest change. The night was warm.
clear. but moonless. l took my station
/ at the open window directly opposite
the chapel Mr.. Rothelan slept rather
/ heavily, but was quiet. I gazed at the
chapel windows. deep set. boarded UP
! from the inside, and mostly obscured
! with rank ivy. What was the secret
OF that place? This slumbe-ing man
/ held the key, not even relaxing his
/ grasp in dreams.
A crash startled me- II was on the
/ farther side of the chapel. and sounded
/ like stone or some heavy substance
/ falling on the rubbish below. 1 held
! my breath in suspense. The silence
that succeeded was so intense / could
almost imagine 1 heard the stars twin
kle. / waited moment after moment
/ in expectancy.
Something rose above the pointed
roof OF the chapel. a round. dark. NOV
ing mass. 1t grew taller. then
crouched, spread out some tall arms,
caught at the tree branches. and gave
a swing. I wanted 70 scream. but my
tongue seemed paralyzed. Down il
went, swinging. crashing. very cat
I In agility, and rested on the ground
My terror for il was over watched
it creep stealthily UP toward the win
dow, wondering whether I should give
an alarm. / partially drew the curtain
in front Of myself.
1t was not a woman. knew that
by the dress and daring leaps before
l saw the thick, ragged beard II he
offered TO enter I would grapple with
him.
He did not. In a few moments ne
ran swiftly down toward the cedars,
and was lost to view. The clock
Struck four. Daybreak was coming.
About sunrise Mr.. Rothelan awoke
You may CO., he said, at length.
II wish 10 get up"
Let me see whether you can stand;
If you need any assistance after that.
you can ring your bell for me-
He did not demur. His step was
tottering, yet l kept my word and
went out of the apartment. Presently
1 heard his step through the hall: 1
had only gone to the library. He
tugged at the bolts OF the rear door
opened them, and l supposed went out.
Such cry as broke that morning
stiffness. such a perfect howl Of rage.
terror and despair I never heard A
hundred echoes replied. / sprarg
through the passage. and saw him.
his hands clenched in his thin gray
hair. his eyes fixed on one OF the chapel
windows, the upper part of which was
gone. I knew now what had fallen in
the night.
Escaped, Escapedr' he fairly
screamed. and then. dashing back with
a tigerish strength. unlocked the
chapel. I followed. but it was dark
as midnight within. so ] could see
nothing. Mr.. Rothelan raved like a
madman. I turned and saw Edna
white with terror. At the same in
slant a dull. heavy thud and a groan
smote my ears. and all was silent.
He has killed himself" Edna
shrieked.
/ found a lamp, and taking Martin.
who had just come down. we went
through that ghostly place Some
rooms had been partitioned off. one |
nearly in the centre containing a bed.
table, and n few chairs. Here We 4
found Mr.. Rothelan-
This time the doctors services were |
absolutely requisite. Mr.. Rothclsr
had sustained some severe Fr7--u-a.
I Kept my secret TO myself. To-
wards night Mr.. Rothelan made Us
he wanted a clergyman.
William was despatched. II was evil
Gent the sick man was rallying ell
1is strength for one final effort. He
would not allow Edna nor myself TO
leave him.
"Mr. Barlow's IN the library" an
bounced Jane.
You love her, you wish 20 marry
her." and Mr.. Rothelan nodded 10
Edra.
understood why the clergyman
had been sent for. and taking her
hand in mine, said
Il do. The ceremony cannot b. too
goon for me"
Edna broke from my grasp. and
stood straight before him
Father" she began, Il love him,
Ind he loves me; but / declare 10 you
most solemnly I Will not marry him
or any person until 1 understand this
dreadful mystery. 1 Will die sooner
han bring shame or disgrace on any
honorable man. Some sin or crime y
nurrying you to your grave; let me
alone be partaker OF IT."
IF I did sin" he cried. fercely, ''it
was partly for you. Who talks Of
,rine? Come. be quick: he VIII re-
urn soon, and then youII hear the
hole story. They can't drag me 20
all; / shall be dead. Co On with ia
Never"
Her tones Rad the ring or steel
Edna" I said. do you fear %
trust me7 II any misfortune falls !
lpon you, who can love you better, / ,