The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-01-06

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and gradually / became convinced that
she was not pursuing me- 7 was mis-
taken, however for she suddenly de-
seconded upon me. a terrible Nemesis. It
was on "a eve Of our departure for the
SOudan when She came 10 renew her de-
mand ] offered her hush-moneN but she
Indignantly refused. She said she loved
me. and was determined upon being my
wife ] pleaded for tv elve hours 20 con-
slider This she granted; bus when she
again sought Tor me / had sailed for
Egypt
This accounts for your dread Of return
ing 10 England when We were together at
Taugier" I said.
Yes. when came back she was wait
ing. ana bounced upon me 7 could stand
II no longer. so threw up my commission.
I was So
But who is this woman"
1T is lara"
The charming Moor who was with you
when / last called2"
THE same she comes here every day
and renews her demands. knowing ! am
powerlts.. If DO not marry her she is so
vindictiVe that she may give me ~ 20 the
police. Curiously enough I have quite re-
Gently discovered that she is daughter Of
that old sheikh who uttered the strange
warning when We kissed tn Severed
Hand. You remember what he said bout
my punishment"
"Bosh,' I said impauently. What's
the use or believing in Moorish supersti-
tiou invented 10 extract backsheesh from
the pockets Of European travellers? You
loved cara, who is beautiful and accom-
plished. why not marry her and take a new
lease Of life?" I suggested.
No. Think of her past. I may admire,
but I canot love her. Besides. I am en-
gagged TO marry someone else
you are"' / exclaimed in surprise.
prove your guilt"
lie rose and paced the room in feverish
anxiety
"Murdercrl Murderer he repeated
aloud. 1t would be life for life. I killed
the man she loved, sripped him by the
neck and flung him like dog into the
black Shiny river No; I'll marry and spite
hcr. According 10 her patriarchial Old
father / am already doomed, so she may
do her -yet-yet-she's ahso-
lutely lovely"
lie halted suddenly before me with a
strange fire in his eyes, and breaking
forth into hollow discordant laugh, ex-
iects. What's the use of being so con-
foundedly miserable Have a cigar and
something TO drink, for"
But jack"
Say no more about it. Promise to keep
my secret"
II will
His manner had entirely changed. He
was blithe ana happy again, and ] re-
manned and smoked p cigar with him
then left, bewidered at the strange story
he had related.
During the several weeks that followed
] frequently visited the studio | ascer-
tanned that Jack was engaged to marry
Mildred Tregarthen, the daughter of a
Cornish landowner, but never alluded to
the subject.
He seemed so gay that / began 10 think
that the barrier to his marriage had been
removed.
on the night Of Christmas eve We had
been TO a variety theater and were walking
along Piccadilly when he suddenly turned
and said. abruptly:
phil, l told you my story some time
ago"
YES"
IL want you to forget it; to place it
aside as mere piece of sensational fiction
You understand"
Why" / asked.
welt" He paused and gave vent to a
forced laugh. The fact is I'm going to
marry"
Marry l calculated in surprise 81
thought that you We're prevented by force
of circumstances"
yes, yes" he said impatentIy. But
all that is of the past. The woman who
Is to be my wife is as good as she is
beautiful. You shall know her some day
and give your critical opinion"
when will the wedding take place."
The day after tomorrow at st. Mary
Abbotts. Kensington. 1t WILL of course,
be private. Win YOU act as best man."
Il shall be NEST happy ] replied, sur
prised at this unexpected announcement.
Let me congratulate you. old fellow" |
added giving his hand a hearty grip.
MAY you life be happier than is has
hitherto been"
Thanks, Phil; thanks" he said. but
as tomorrow is the last day ct bachelor
hood and Christmas day combined, come
I over to the studio and Wen drink each
/ other luck in a bottle of tzZ. I'm re-
linquishing the tenancy of the place to-
/ morrow. I've discharged the servants,
| for Immediately after the ceremony Mil
/ bred and l are going abroad. 1t may he
/ our last meeting for considerable
/ time"
Very well. I'll run over about s." 1
replied
Then we again shook hands and babe
each other good night.
CHAPTER ".
| ! knocked a loud rat-tat-tat
No one stirred in answer to my sum-
mons. There was no sign of life or move
ment within.
In the falling gloom of a cheerless
Christmas evening Warwick Gardens pre-
] SeuteO an unutterablN uQli ana miserable
aspect. The street lamps were not vet
/ lit and save for the barking of a dis
tant dog and the clang of a muffin ven
doors bell everything was quiet; even
/ the traffic in the Hammersmith road had
ceased, and the thoroughfares were de-
/ serted.
was about to knock again when I OBJ
served for the first time that the door
was ajar.
Pushing il Open I entered
Jack, are you at home?" I shouted.
My voice echoed weirdly through the
silent house, but there was no CHEEKY re-
Spouse that l expected.
/ Crossing the dark hall TO the studio I
drew aside a rich Moorish porter and
opened the door The air was heavy
with the odor of burning pastilles, and The
arabesque lamp of brass and colored
7 glass suspended from the ceiling shed d
dim, uncertain Eight over the apartment
/ CHANGING round quickly l saw my friend
reclining in a saddle-bag chair, his head
having fallen aside. as if asleep.
Advanc.ug. intending to rouse him. I
was suddenly struck by the strange pallor
of his countenance. 1 placed my hand
. upon his cheek. il was cold,
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