The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1895-04-04


and wealthy, and like child
she opened her heart and told me all
her secret longings.
It was nearly 9 when | left, but !
had an engagement with friend and
she insisted that should not break it.
put the memorandum | had made
carefully in my inner pocket, but on
the way to my friends house
glanced at it again and figured what
it would coststo fill it. The bracelet
was an expensive one, SO was the
locket she had seen and wanted.
Then there was necklace and a
brooch, and / wondered why, beside her
rings. she was SO destitute@of jewels,
while everything about her home be-
spoke the highest form of riches.
Jack Ray, my friend, was waiting
when reached his quarters.
''I am going to take you to the
club, old fellow" he said, enthusi-
astically.. and together we entered a
cab and were ratified away across the
city.
was still thinking of my beauti-
full sweetheart when | entered the
lobby of the club, and in the glamor
and glitter of the place could still
see her sweet blue eyes and hear the
tremor of her childish voice in all the
clash and clatter. Suddenly / was
aroused by thrilling name that fell
from Jacks lips in the midst of
string of introductions.
My friend, Mr.. G., old fellow"
he was saying.
| looked up quickly at Mr.. G.
and shook his hand involuntarily. 1t
was tFa same name, was sure of
that, but could this be that ''horrid
man my charmer's jewel-denying
father?
A little later we were sitting alone
at table, he and l., and | fastened
to secure for myself the satisfaction
of this mans identity.
You are Mr.. C., of No. = 5th
avenue SAID impulsiveiy, and In
another momcnU L regretted my stu
pidity.
How did you know it?' he asked,
when he had said Eyes" to my unusual
question.
II have met your daughter. She
is very beautiful" | stammered in
confusion.
Mr.. c., who was evidently man
of years, turned suddenly and scru-
tinized my features. 1t seemed that
instant as if he hated me, but my
friend coming back just at that time
removed the awkward situation.
I said nothing to Jack. I had said
too much already, 1 argued; and the
next d ay | was SO busy with my vari-
Gus commissions that | gave no
thought to my reckless blunder.
That night [ spread the jewels be-
fore her, and was more than paid by
her delight.
From kissing and fondling the
glittering stones she would turn sud-
denly, and gliding across the floor,
throw herself joyously into my out
! stretched arms and deluge me with
her sweet caresses.
After we had dined again in the
cosy room the thought of this long,
delightful evening together seemed
to wake in her heart some girlish
fancy, and tripping gaily from the
| room she arrayed herself for an
imaginary evening party.
When she returned her beauty daz-
zled me. She had put on a dress of
purest white and decked her marble
throat and arms with the costly jewels
[ had brought her. One glimpse OF
the laughing face and cleaning
shoulders mad d ened me, and regard
less of the dainty laces l seized her in
my arms and almost crushed her to
my bosom.
''My darling!' l whispered passion
loving words almost rushing from my
lips, raised my eyes suddenly above
her head and confronted the stern
| faced man-her father.
| Like a startled deer she sprang
from my arms and fell with shrek
upon the sofa.
For Gods sake, stop"' / shouted
wildly as the barrel of revolver
cleaned sudd emily in the mans right
! hand.
Instinctively I sprang to one side,
not fully realizing my sweetheart's
| danger, and at that same instant
there came a blindin flash and a
woman's cry of mortal terror.
Spellbound with horror, turned
and looked upon my idol. The dia-
monds, still cleaned on her fair,
white flesh, but as we stood there
motionless, this man and 1, stream
of crimson dyed her garments.S
SWAT and let me speak," he said
quietly, and the magnetism of his
glance seemed to some way conquer
and control me. ''She was my wife, -
he began sadly, " and you are not her
only victim. Over and over similar
scenes have been enacted in our
house, but not before with such an
awful ending. l have always con-
trolled myself BEFORE" he said with
a tinge of sorrow in his voice, ''and
even now the shot was not meant for
her.
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