Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1896-11-05

oNcrhear and watch the conspiracy un-
observed that fascination common Ia
deceived humanity Ia witness lis own
shame had grown upon him. lie
knew that a word or a gesture of cNpla-
nation. apology. appeal. or even terror
from his wife would check his rage
and weaken his purpose.
His perfect knowledge of the house
and the security of its inmates would
enable him from some obscure landing
ar gallery to participate in any secret
conclaNc they might hold in the patio
the only place suitable for 81 numerous
"A rendezvous. The absence Of light in
the few external windows pointed TO
tEiE central gathering. And he had al
ready conceived his plan of entrance.
Gaining the rear wall of the casa he
began cautiously TO skirt its brandy
base. until he had reached hong.
oycn-lihc window. half ohlitcratrd 10y
a munstrouS passion Vine.
IL MAS the window Of what had once
been Mrs. Prytou'S houdoir: the win
low 10y which lac had once forced an
entrance 10 the house when IL Was in
the hands of the sguat:crs; the window
from which Susy had signalrd her
Spanish lover; the window " hose graf
nag had broken the neck of Judge rcy-
tons presumed assassin.
But these rccollc'tions no longer de
laycd him; the moment for action had
arrived. lie knew that since the trag-
EDDY the boudoir had been dismantlcd
and Stunned; the servants believed il To
III haunted 10y the assa~>iu'S ghost.
With the aid of the passion vine
he iuCrrSS WAS easy. The interior Win
dow was open; the rustic of dark
leaves On the bare floor as hc entered
.ud the Uhirr of frightened bird 10y
his ear told the story of it, dcsolation
and the source of the strange noises
that had been heard there.
The door heading Ia the corridor was
lightly boltcd. merely Ia keep it from
rLttling ia the wind. slipping the holt
with the blade of his pocllctknifc, he
pcercd into the dark passage. The
light streaming under the door Ia the
left and the sound of voices convinced
him that his conjecture was right.and
the meeting was gathered on the broad
balconies around the patio.
lie knew that narrow gallery, faced
with Neuctian blinds Ia cNclude the sun,
looked down upon them. lie managed
- gain il without discovery; luckily
tie blinds were still down. Between
tl,cir Stats. himself invisible. he could
hear and see everything that occurred.
We, even At that supreme moment the
FIRST thing that struck him was the al
most ludicrous contrast between the APP
pcarance of the meeting and its tire
mendous object.
Whether hc was influenced by any
preN ious boyish conception of a cloudy
and gloomy conspiracy. he did not
know, but he was for an instant almost
disconnected by the apparent leyity
and feStiyity OF the conclave. Ocean
;crs and glasses stood on small tables
before them; nearly all were drinking
and smoking.
They comprised - or 20 men, some
whose faces were familiar to him else
where as southern politicians; a few,
he was shocked 10 see. were well-kRoNn
northern democt2ss.
Occupying a enthusiastically cen
trial position was the famous Col. Star
bottle, of Virginia. Jaunty aud youth
full looking in his nask-lille. beardless
face. expressive and digniiied in his
l.
alcne retained something of the i'm
portance-a slightly theatricaland
afTccted-of the occasion.
Clarence. in his first hurried glance,
had not observed his wife, and for a mo-
ment had felt relieved.
But as Col. Starbottle arose at that
moment. and with a studiously chival-
rous and courtly manner turned TO his
right. he saw that she Was sitting at
The further end of the balcony, and
that a man whom he recognized as
Capt. Pinckney was standing beside
Lcr.
The blood quickly frightened around
his heart, but left him cold and observ-
ant.
II was seldom, indeed, remarked Col.
Starbottle. placing his fat white fin
gers in the frill of his shirt front, that
= movement like this was graced with
the actual presence of a lofty, inspir-
ing yet delicate spirit-a Boadicea-
indeed, he might say a Joan of Arc
IN the person of their very charming
hostess, Mrs. Brant.
Not only were they favored by her
social and hospitable ministration, but
h her active and enthusiastic coopera-
tion in the glorious work they had in
hand. II was through her correspon-
cnce and earnest advocacy that they
were TO he favored tonight with the
aid and counsel of one of the most dis
unguished and powerful men in the
southern district of California, Judge
Beeswinger, of Los Angeles.
He had not the honor of that gentle
mans personal acquaintance; he be-
lieved he was not far from wrong in
saying that this was also the misfor-
tune of every gentleman present, but
the name itself was a towerof strength.
lie would go further and say that Mrs.
Brant herself was personally unac-
guainted with him, but that il was
through the fervor, poetry, grace and
genius of her correspondence with that
gentleman that they were to have the
honor of his presence that very even
ing. IL was understood that advices
had been received of his departure. and
that he might be expected at Robles
at any moment.
but what proof have we of Judge
Beeswinger's soundness?" said lazy
southern voice at the conclusion of
Col. Starbottle's periods. Nobody
here seems TO know him by sight; is
il not risky to admit n man to our
meeting whom we are unable TO iden-
tify?"
Il reckon nobody but fool or some
Trying mudsill of Yankee would trust
ms skin here" returned another. 'and