The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-09-26

'l'' Il III lhl' ~ ''
childhood! Had not this man robbed
his father of his heritage: Had not
his father died a worse death than
that he had prepared for his destroy
err? Were the pangs Of poison worse
than the pangs OF cold and hunger
which his father had endured for
years? Did not the very Scriptures
demand an eye for an eye, a tooth
for a tooth, a life for a life? The for
tune this man had left him was his
own, absolutely his own. Why should
he feel remorse at grasping it by any
means?
Under the influence of these refec-
tons he arose from his seat, drew
forth a bunch of keys from his peck
ct and approached the door of the
closet which has previously been de-
scribed.
His hand shook so that he could
scarcely apply the key to the lock.
Within the closet was a trunk. This
also had to be unlocked by the trem-
bling fingers. Within the trunk vas a
small, square wooden box, which he
drew out and placed upon the table.
and after unlocking it drew forth a
tiny vial with n glass stopper, which
contained a thin, colorleSs fluid. This
he thrust into his waistcoat pocket.
Then he relocked and replaced the
box in the trunk. which, together
with the closet door, he fastened as
before.
, Then he looked at his watch. 1t was
close upon midnight.
BY this time all the household would
be in bed. He opened his room door,
peeped out and listened. All vas dark
and silent as the tomb.
Throwing off his boots and coat he
wrapped himself in Il dreSsing-gown
then stood for a moment. Iy was the
last of hesitation.
The mex moment he was noiselessly
descending the stairs, carrying no
light.
When he reached Mr.. Medlicott's
door he paused TO listen. He had
left it just ajar when leaving him, but
so closely pulled to that no one would
notice ii in passing.
He could hear the occupant within
breathing loudly but regularly. He
was asleep.
Cautiously pushing open the door,
he entered and closed it behind him.
A night light was burning on the man
tle-piece.
Another instant of hesitation and
the contents of the vial were poured
into the glass.
Then he touched the sleeper and
asked, in a loud whisper: Did you
call, sir?'
Mr.. Medlicott started out of his
sleep.
What is the matter?" he cried.
Nothing, sir" answered Luke. 81
thought i heard you call. I'm sorry
If I've disturbed you. Would you
like anything to drink"
Thank you, yes; l feel very thirsty"
The next moment he had drained
the fatal draught to the last dregs.
AS he saw him raise the glass to his
lips Luke could scarcely forbear the
impulse to dash it from his hand and
shrek aloud in warning. And as it
looked upon him empty, a gulf seemed
to have suddenly opened between him
and the past, and the brand of Cain
was burning upon his brow.
How he left the doomed man, softly
shutting the door behind him. and re-
ascending the stairs to his own room.
he had no conscious knowledge Of.
W ut loutitl
himself again seated in his arm chair.
Had he been asleep, dreaming?
Oh. God. if he could only have as
sured himself that it was a dream.
and that his soul was still free from
the stain of absolute murder.
The inward cry was but momentary.
then terror overwhelmed every other
consideration like a torrent. And
fhnrn xx-n . on i,,,uI,n q x,,-l. r.. A.
house and fly from his crime.
That would be madness. certain de-
struction. He must calm himself.
There was more v~illainy to be exc
cuted-villainy, If possible, more dia-
bolical even than murder. To save
himself he must first fix the guilt
upon an innocent head.
Onc more he left the room and
crept TO Rosamond's chamber door.
He tried it, it was unlocked! Noise
lessly he turned the handle and put
his ear against it to listen.
The devil favored him-she slept.
In a low clear voice, but as unlike
his W as he could render it, he pro-
nounced these words:
Rise, and go down to Mr.. Medli-
colts room. he is DYING
He heard a start, a stir within, and,
reclosing the door with a click. he
darted back into his own room, which
was on the same floor.
The trap he had set was fiendish-
ly ingenious; would the unhappy girl
fall into 1t? With fast-beating heart,
almost breathlessly he listened.
In the meantime, daZed with sleep.
Rosamond had risen up in the bed,
awakened by the voice.
The room was pitch dark-all was
silent.
. She called out: "Who Is there?' Is
any n at the door?'
There was no answer, no sound.
Was it a dream?
lf so, 1t was an usually vivid one.