The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-11

satisfied now that my Jealousy was
not groundless. For fully five
minutes L remained motionless in the
hall, while the blood whirled madly
through my veins and my heart
pounded in my chest like the blows
from huge sledge hammer.
My first thought was to leave her
at once, but there came the hideous
thirst for vengeance. So she had
tricked me, this gentle, saint-like
woman, and the man who was the
''ido1 of her heart was that pale
faced rogue, her next door neighbor
1 saw and understood every thing
now, even to the minutest details of
their clever plans and plottings.
By dinner time l was calm and com
posed, but there was q distant
haughtiness about my manner that
repealed my wife in her treacherous
advances. 1 knew her now, and act
ing could not deceive me. She looked
at me wistfully and with actual tears
shining in her eyes, but ignor ed her
glance completely and busted myself
with the evening paper.
After dinner | went out and left
her alone without so much Is saying
l was going, but about 9 o'clock
crept guiTtily back and placed my ear
at the keyhole of my own wife's
chamber
1t was as 1 thought; Belle was
there, and this was what caught of
hurried conversation.
He was thoroughly Indifferent"
Belle was saying, land not only
showed me that he resented my inter
ference, but that he was Disguised
at what he terms your 'fckleness, and
did not care particularly for any
further demonstration. I am sorry
for YOU, dear" she added, but all
men are not alike, 1 assure you, and
my brother" but here I lost the
! rest.
So it seemed that my worst suspi-
cions had been verified. The message
had been for Arthur Hastings, and
he, the contemplate, pale-faced man,
| had declined her offer of affection.
In an instant the whole tide of my
anger was turned toward him-the
honor 1 forgot that she had
wronged me and disgraced her
self for my brain was burn
ing at this mans audacious treat
ment. There was just a moment
in which to act, for could hear Belle
coming across the floor, and turning
the key quietly in the lock, left her
FUN bling at the door and rushed al
most headlong out to call upon my
rival.
l burst into Arthur Hastings pres
ence in state of almost furious an
ger, and without word of explana-
ton, seized him by one feeble shout
der and nearly shook the breath out
of his body.
"Soy are the black-hearted scoun-
dre1 who has ruined my home and
then declined my wife's affections?' L
whispered hoarsely. "You are the
meek faced, skulking hypocrite who
has pretended friendship for me even
while you robbed me of my honorr'
stopped then, suddeoly, as l b e-
gan, for the man had tuE1ed almos t
CHASTITY in the face and fallen heavily
before me on the carpet
What had 1 done? Had really
killed him in my fury? And then
shame, for the horrible advantage L
had taken, overpowered me complete =
ly, and flushed my face with a
towards crimson.
1 stood above him now in horrible
CONSERVATION, when suddenly the
door flew open and my wife and Belle
stood breathless before me.
''Oh, Charlie! Charlie What have
you doneP" my wife shrieked excited
1y, but Belle Hastings, apparently
understanding all. rushed over and
/ l<ne1t beside her brother
at is l who have killed him. she
said in a voice of agony.
ut is who am to blame for this
horrible error. 1 did not deliver your
message, Amy, and your husband has
heard and misconstrued it."
Paralyzed in every limb Amy and l
stood silently and watched the
wretched woman as shs moaned over
the PROSTATE form and caressed the
| CHASTITY features Then while 1, his
murderer, remained mute with horror
she raised her haggard eyes to my
face again, while her dry lips could
hardly express their language.
He loved you, oh, 50 dearly, Amy,
but he was honorable to the end, my
brother, and would never wrong you
! or your husband. But l." here she
shuddered in mortal pain, 81 loved
him so dearly that was false to you.
1 would have parted you if could"
but her calmness could endure no
longer.
While Belle wept and walled above
her dead 1 turned one wild. appealing
glance toward Amy, and in utter
hopelessness my glance was answered.
Shivering with horror she took my
hand and led me close beside my vic
tim, then taking Bellies also in her
own she forced her to look up while
she whispered the words Of our con
demnation.
I'VE are all to blame,'' she said,
nobly. but God alone can read our
hearts. He was innocent, poor, dear
Arthur. but weeping will not bring