The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-03
AN ACCIDENTAL" SHOT,
BY JESSIE NJ. E. sAXRY.
Author of something Wrong Somewhere" Etc.
Copyrighted, 1896 by Jessie NJ. E. saxby

- rue out am not reauy LO-uO-lt-ln
the way-yOu indicate"
I thought you quite understood that
mere was no other way, and where's the
narm IN fooling fool? am not asking
you TO make a fool of yourself IsObel. /
am TOO sure Of your-goodness to care
what he thinks"
Il will not do it," she repeated calmly.
Calder came close to her.
DO you guess he said in low hurried
accents. who is in this house under the
name of Capt. Styles2 The captain is i'm
hidlng, having made London too hot for
himself; and his chum, Edward Earring,
has assumed his name, and came here
"Ohp' The little word was breathed as
tnoUgn II were half-suppressed express
sion Of bitterest pain, and Isobel caught
at a chair TO steady herself.
Now" said he, you will perhaps see
the necessity for doing what 1 ask YOU"
She did not speak. Indeed, she could not,
her agitation was so great, and Calder,
seeing how it was with her, seemed a
little ashamed.
q am sorry for you. Isobel." he said
gently. Il have not meant to VeX you. l
meant you to know who Capt. Styles was
before you met. 1t is a horrid nuisance
his turning up just now, and 1 must have
with, you kAow."
Yes, yes. Edward must be-got rid Of"
Just so. Now you see the urgency Of
Her head dropped. but she answered
steadily Yes. I see"
Perhaps, Isobel, you had better have
headache, or some such excuse to-day for
not showing yourself till-the business is
settled he remarked.
Very WELL" she said-and then left the
room.
Mrs. Calder did not go down to dinner
that evening. She had a headache and
was resting in the boudoir, and would
the gentlemen excuse her? That was the
message sent down. Capt. Styles (other-
wise Edward Earling) expressed polite
regret that he should not have the pleas
ure of meeting Mrs. Calder that evening,
but he did not seem surprised and was
certainly relieved. Hume Findlay said
very little, but looked depressed all
through the meal. When IL was over the
master of the house proposed an adjourn
ment 10 the smoking room instead OF the
drawing room, where there will be
no attraction tonight" he said
SO coffee was served in what is usually
the most cosy apartment of a house; and
very soon Calder and the captain We're
engrossed in their cigars and a game of
cards' WnHe hume mo09ly stirred ms
coffee, and wished himself anywhere else.
Presently a servant came in with let
ters for Calder, and an unstamped note,
addressed in pencil. which he laid before
Hume AS he read 1t the cloud cleared
from his face, and he finished his coffee
very speedily, as he thrust the note into
his pocket It's! Il consisted OF a few hur -
doir and talk to me2 Don't disturb the
| others in coming. Isobel."
The young man tried to invent some
| for quite ten minutes without finding such
| excuse. Then Calder said to him, laugh
ingly:, You find this slow. Hume l
should If / were a non-smoker like you.
Why don't you go for stroll to Grant S
Cottage and arrange for the shooting to-
morrow"
"I win thank you. answered Hume, and
left the room at once; but he did not go
to the keepers lodge.
Somewhat of a lout that" remarked
Edward when the young man was gone.
rs Isobel staying upstairs because 1 am
here?"
| 1 fear. gave you hint of 1t this morn
ing"
| pected though"
HE has a frank, ingenious manner, but
| that's put on; did you notice the servant
| give him note? 1t didn't come by Pest I;
and if we were to look for him now I
suspect we shouf1 find him-nearer than
| with the gamekeeper."
/ "And why the devil don't you look for
| him, and kick him out, Alex?" asked the
because / should only hurry a catas-
| trophe which l am poWerless to avert.
! You know as well as l do what Isobel
| is like when opposed. Hume is very
wealthy and good looking. 1 have no hold
on her affections now, only on her fears
| regarding you"
7IsobeI was very fond of me, know,
time
ut is no good going over the past. 1t is
| the present we have to think about. Now,
| listen. That young fool is infatuated about
| lsoDel, and she is INDUCING a certain
fancy for him. She imagines don't know
that. 1 have frightened her into asking
/ him for money, but l have not the least
/ intention Of permitting him to follow up
such an advantage as the situation might
II should think not"
| She will get the money, and he will be
women, and. as tell you, I have no hold
| on her. He might win if he got the chance,
| but he shall not get the chance. When
| the money is in our pockets Hume Find
/ lay-goes."
How are, you going to stop Isobel from
/ going with him?"
BY sending him on a road she can't
II don't quite follow your scheme" said
Edward, but his face belied his words, and
/ Calder knew ii.
Nonsense Earring, you know very well
| what l mean. You guessed something of
/ II when we were discussing. gunshot acct
! dents this morning. IsobePs brother
should be fully alive. to the situation, and
know how to guard her honor"
IT lies nearer her husband to do that"
4 d be suspected at once, but Captain
Styles has no interest in Hume Findlay's
| death, and though men who knew Lieut.
| Earring would laugh at the idea of such a
| crack shot doing such a thing accidentally
/ no one will dream of questioning the I'M
/ fortunate awkwardness of Captain
| Styles who knows nothing about shooting
/ beyond regimental drill. | don't suppose
Captain Styles has handled a gun since
Lieut.. Earring sent a random bullet
| through the head of Lady Barton's old
husband, and disappeared to avoid a trial
! for
'eAnd who put me UP to that?" Edward
| Interrupted, hotly. WHO put me up to ev-
1 cry devlment2'
'That viii do Keep to the business in
hand. We can't do without money. We
can't get it anyhow except as l Indicate.
| We can't permit IsObel to make a fool Of
| herself. We must be quit of Hume Find
lay. Your neck is not safe in this coun-
/ try, and any accident may lead to your
| being detected, and all the rest of it."
IF I were certain that Isobel Were-in
/ danger I'd have no compunctions," mutt
| tered Edward.
IF you require more proof than have
given go to your room. 1t is near to Iso-
bells boudoir, a lounging sort of place to
/ which even tobacco has the entire. She
! never was conventional, you know"
Edward went away, as much 70 break
the conversation as to convince himself.
He paused at the closed door of his sisters
boudoir, and recognized Findlays voice
speaking in quick, excited tones. A frown
| gathered on the listeners face, and he
went quickly back to his companion.
''It was right, you see. Are you salts
| 1ied?' said Calder
"Of course" was the answer, spoken
HA NN