San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-07-28
CHAPTER VI.
UNDER A CLOUD.

"ulLo INC I"O iOuSeIS dJ 10 ISASlJdl
road and the two policemen from the
station at Clayfields were discussing in
the back parlor the murder-for murder
it was deemed to have been-of Mrs.
Davorn, the young doctor was in the
front parlor endeavoring to comfort the
weeping girl At first he almost dread,
ed to refer i'll any way to the terrible
tragedy. Maurice Leclerc was himself
in wildly excited condition. When he
felt that Ethel had grown calm he could
contain himself no longer, and com.
menced to pace the room, his hands
folded behind his back. In few mo-
ments he felt that he must speak direct
ly of the tragedy.
at is a horrible business altogether,
dearest" he said. 1.-THE more l look at
it the worse it seems "
81 should not feel the awfulness of it
SO much only for the hot words l had
last night with herewith my dear aunt,
who has been my only friend and pro-
tector since my father died 1t cuts me
to the heart to think can nevermore
etc htl VI HCsiI hCL WIZ, LONOi 10 bONS
to seek her forgiveness. "
81 know, know Ethel, dearest, "
said Leclerc, stand$; still a moment,
and then Selling the girls hand. 81
must seem horribly selfish to you, l am
horribly selfish, but try not to blame
me, dearest. love you better than all
the world; cannot think of anything
or anybody calmly When my thoughts
are of you. Do not think too badly Of
me if l cannot share the sorrow you
naturally feel at your terrible loss We
were never FRIENDSHIP. and l. 1t is
your trouble and my own selfish trou-
bles that are now distracting me. Let
me be candid, dearest, as have always,
l hope, been with you, whatever may
have been my faults. l awol1e this
morning the happiest man in England.
My hope of calling you this day my
wife dashed all my dark clouds away.
l am now the most wretched man in
the world.
DR.. Leclerc spoke with almost breath
less rapidity.
Don't say that, Maurice. Try and
control yourself. Why should you be
the most wretched man in the world?"
"Why? Am not already suspected
I can feel it, know it-of the crime that
has been committed under this roof"
"Oh, you must not say such wicked,
such foolishly wicked things!" cried
the young girl, rising and staring at
him with wild and horror laden eyes
Listen to me, dearest; listen to me.
1 am trying to control myself. On my
way here 1 met Percival and a police
inspector in the Crescent road. They
told me what had happened-so far as
they knew. 1 guessed the rest. The
money is gone-this cursed money that
is always at the bottom of all mischief.
Is it not sop
81 think the money is gone" an
swered the girl in a trembling voice.
1.-THE desk is lying ON the floor broken
up. 1t caught my eyes before l knew
anything of the terrible discovery was
about to make. -
my poor darling 1t is selfish Of me
to be able to think of little else but my
miserable self. But don't you see how
much reason I have to be almost mad?
Don't you see that with that other
charge hanging over me, with the
knowledge that was in sore trouble for
money, that money would save me from
disgrace, from ruin-don't you see that
suspicion will be fastened upon me,
such suspicion as can never hope to
outlive? Supplemented help me mot
only of theft, but of murder. "
He flung up his arms as he spoke and
was again about to continue his wild
walk up and down the room when the
young girl caught him firmly by the
wrists and drawing him toward her
kissed his lips.
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