Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-05-06

The next day passed pleasantly and
socially; visitors came TO lunch; out
when the "parti carre" were left TO
themselves again, in the winter twl-
light, something seemed TO check
the flow of conversation, which had
been free and sparkling till then, in
this cleaning hour that should have
been most sociable. That Mark should
be taciturn was nothing unusual; but
Janet Craig, too, seemed aostracted
aud restless; once she asked Edith 10
change her place and sit on the other
sofa, and once she made some excuses
for changing her own seat. Presently
some casual remark brought up the
subject of Jewels and their settings, and
Mrs. Brentham exclaimed, "Oh, Edith,
show Janet your beryl." Edith un-
| fastened the brooch which she was
wearing, and Mark, who was between
her and Miss Craig, took the trinket to
pass it across 10 the latter. She leant
| toward him, gazing at 1T intently, but
made no movement to receive it as he
| held il out, and when at last she raised
| her hand IL was not TO touch the Jewel,
but TO take hold OF his.
wait" she said, in strange whls-
per, gazing at the gem, on which the
freight and the last pale CLEAN OF
daylight met as 1t lay in his palm.
Give me your other hsnd-so!'
"Can you see anything, Janet?'
asked Mrs. Brentham eagerly, "Oh, do
tell us what you see."
"Wait-hush" whispered Janet. The
silence in the room grew deep, and 1t
seemed to all that it lasted long. They
could see Janet tremble. At last with
a shudder she let go Mark Ruford's
hand.
~ saw" said Janet Craig, after a
pause in low. suppressed voice, "a
mana tall man, with fair hair and
beard, the beard cut square, hair thick
and wavy-he had no coat on, striped
blue and white shirt, and n broad leath-
er belt There was pause, and then
Edith said tremblingly and with effort:
"You are describing Mr.. Hume--my
husband-as he was on the last day"
Janet Craig recoiled as il in horror.
Your husbandw she replied, shud-
dering. "Your husband" And still
Rufford stood silent. Was IL the twi-
light that gave that strange, CHASTITY,
livid look TO his face? For few
minutes it seemed that no one could
speak. At last Janet added, in.
strange, low, penetrating tone:
81 saw him there by the piano last
night between you and Mr.. Ruford.
And this afternoon, when asked you
to change your seat, he was there-and
when YOU moved . followed you! a.
WAYS between You two. be stood
there" pointing. "You," she added,
turning suddenly on Mark Rufford,
"You saw him, too"
The shadow Of something wrong"
10 wered darkly over the whole house.
| Even the servants felt II, and asked
each other with bated breath, What
was the matter?" Why was Mrs. Brent
ham crying and Miss Craig shut mp in
her room? and why was Mrs. Hume
looking like ghost - she asked where
Mr.. Rufford was!
MARX" said Edith. 81 must know
all-now. Janet has told me what she
saw. But / must hear 1t from you"
They were together in the library
alone.
4
thought no one could see IL but myself
His voice was husky and hollow, his
ewes dilated with strange, wild look;
his hand clenched on hers, almost vio-
lently as he spoke.
mo; never saw 1t. But Janet's eyes
can see. And she saw more" Edith's
voice sank to freezing whisper. ''She
! has told ma-mora than she said AZ first
Marx! Mark" Her breast heayed As
she gasped for breath, us 1t true?
How could she have drsamt-havs seen
-him-Gregory-in the boat-ont on
the bay-and you. Tell me the truth
now or shall die,''
Curse that woman said Mark. set
ting MS teeth. 'sWhy did Harlan
bring her here?'
"Ah," she painted. with alcw cry OF
agony. pressing her hands to her ten-
pies, Iii is true! She saw it-Markl Il