Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-04-11
CHAPTER IX

Il am a Midnight Thief-an Assassin. "
The evening had closed in sformily
over the gray clins and somber-wood-
ed slopes Of Stanhope. There was
broodIng melancholy in the very air
Of this late summer evening which
would have settled heavily on a spirit
more bright than that of the lady
of the Castle, who, alone in that state
~ aud vast building. was oppressed by
a vague, indetinable weight that made
it almost impossible for her 10 keep
still, that prompted the restless walk
up and down the floor. the wish, i'm
possible OF attainment. coming per-
haps for the first time 10 her. for Lilo
nels presence.
In the loneliness and silence Of that
Summer night her life during the past
year passed before her-from the day
the first blow had fallen upon her to
the passing moment. She found her
self questioning whether she was an
utterly unloved wife. vaguely doubling
whether Lionel has known the whole
truth when he made her his wife
bought her with q price, she had
said, bitterly,
Such thoughts had come to her
vaguely Of late In the blaze Of the
world In which she lived she had had
no leisure to give heed to them.
And yet she had discovered long
since that the ideal her girl-heart had
loved was a shadow-the dear. bright
boy Rex had vanished; her love was
dead: her heart was an empty niche
A long life lay before her perhaps.
How old am t. she thought, drear-
ily, aud paused before a long mirror
that reflected back such rare, such
wondrous beauty. thar vet stirred no
vanity within her. no plea sed memory
of husbands pride in her Nine
teen! feel sometimes 81 old and
weary. oh. why was l made so fair?
And yet If had not been so. Wilfreds
life would have been spoiled, At least
he is happy-it is the one pearl in my
bitter cup"
She leaned her forehead down upon
her hands. clasping them together OH
2 marble PEDESTAL and unbdden came
again that whisper. faint far down
in the storm-tossed heart;
Gould make that confession?
Could | crush my pride: Is he really
so cold, so hard? Is he happy?"
She lifted her head and pushed back
the waving masses Of gllttering hair
from her forehead. then paused sud
denly. listening intently. Was 1t hey
fancy that she had heard stealthy
foot on the terrace without? Before
She had time 10 put her thoughts into
action and step ID tie window so see
II any one was there, figure darken-
cd the aperture, a man sprung in
+, quickly, wrenching the curtain over
the easement, and flung of the hat
that had partly concealed his features
REX on, Heaven. Rex"
With tha' wild sharp cry the girl
almost staggered back, putting out her
hands. and SO stood. drawing her
breath quickly aud with difficulty,
every drop of blood driven from her
cheeks and lips. lie did not move
or speak hut his very form seemed
- shrink and droep before the gaze
Of those blue eyes SO wildly bright
His head sunk upon his breast. his
ewes fell drops we're standing on his
brow He was hard pressed
stand back she said DO not
dare 10 touch me-
Don't be afraid of me- Glare" he
muttend hoarselv. Il haven't a
thought % harm you Have some
mercy. Glare"
she could not but b touched TO see
t1e wreck before ler-to hear such
humble words from him.
Mercy for whats" she said. clasping
hey hands before her some Wild, sus
pieian 81 possible crime. of flight from
shame and judgement. taking posses
sion of her
Il am closely pursued, Clare" he
told her rapidly. looking up for a
mnment hut dropping his again before
hor clear 1a2e pursued hy detectives
lie has tracked me Down like . slenth
hound
VII, IS tracking yon:@ the girl said
bending forward AMI pressing her
hand Cd her heart tile blood creeping
LING i.y streams through hev veins.
Benson The detective n
What 'or@ came almost III n whis-
per her eyes seeking his with a Wild
questlaniny
There MIS- 4 deaa pause for ore
uiaufe ant thnu ID uith an impulse
taa strong ~ aomlat he tell down "a
her fses catching Kindly ut her robes.
hiding lis face from her
.fare Glare have pity. Hear me
thlnk sf me with mercy Nine Was
tas hlad fHai sfalr from yau. 1 ReS