Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-10-23
CHAPTER xI.
awHY CALL 1T MURDERs"

Ho had led the way round an aout'
ment of the cliff, erhaps score OF feet
from the path; they came to halt In
hollow. close under the cliff. in curious
nj he, protected from inquisitlve eyes
by great granite boulder perched on a
slight elevation opposite the CLEFT In the
cliff wall.
A mass of wild ho~eysuckle and ivy
mantled far up the rugged crag; gianc'
Ng upward one saw that tn y stood d.
rectly beneath the southern bastion OF
the tower
"Now, sir, I demand an explanation OF
ro:r words" said SircOmbe, at white
heat -
"Mr Sircombe, owe you no exp'ana.
..on of either motive or meaning; but, ol
nv own free will, will tell you that l
am one who knows the fact OF your
kreachery to Lady IN hcape in her hour
,f need; and that hold the power in
nv hands to have you driven from Under
vonder roof in merited disgrace.
The director grew ashen pale, and re-
coiled in dismay.
"Then it is as I feared, he muttered'
between his teeth. "She has made you
| her coniidant, and you believe her, OF
course But you may not find that LORD
[nchcape is equally credu 'ous."
"Ob, | intend to cause you to con-
gince him." retorted Edgar, Ga city;
you shall repeat the conversation which
| 7on overheard that night between tho
iady and Co onel Accrington; and when
Lord Inchcape compares your testimony
With his wife's the truth shall prevail. y
"And what power do you imagine you
possess over me, to 70. ce me into TINS
act of self-destruction?" demanded Sir
! sombe, his hollow eyes faring
IL mako no threats" replied Edgar,
s. ornful y "I shall give you a chance
to act ike an honest man."
For a long pause, neither spoke Tho
hush Of death brooded around them; no
leaf stisrei nGr pird sang; the heavens
hung low and gay.
John Sircombe was looking this cal
entity which had befallen him In the
face, and the longer he looked the more
appalled, he was.
Lady Inchcape had rebeIed at last,
and had chosen champion who seemed
resolrte to sue eed in r.ghtiDg her
wrongs And her vindicat.on meant Sir
oombe's ruin, for he had not only with
held the testimony which would have
saved her but he had skillfuly kept
alive the smoldering fires Of Inchcape's
suspicion and jea olsy ever since had,
in fact, done his best to keep them os-
tranged.
At first he had done this through the
love Of power and an important PLACE;
| but since Ulya came to grow zap under
his eyes into flower OF all mastering
loyeliness-ah, since then it had grown
death to be discovered and cast cut in
disgrace!
And now this man had come, young,
eare-free, pitiless in his insolent powers
of fasc nation, and he loved her.
sYsu give me the chance to act Like
an honest man." repeated Sircomee,
bitterly. sWhat then, II l should pro-
pose to buy your honesty with mine?"
@Ah, yon mean"
ayes l mean Lady Ulya. If promise
to make reparation to Lady Inchcape,
will you promise to leave Lady UlVa FOR
ever?S
@I shall make no such conpronha
with you," said Edgar, owly 81 loY-
the lady, and l believe | shall yet re-
seive Lord Inchcape's permission to voc
ber."
"Ah, you say this to my face" cree
Sircorbe. flercely. aud he made a gest
ure SO full OF maddened fury that Edgar
took an involuntary step backward froH
the distorted visage that bent towarI
him.
AS he did so the tangled vines parted
beneath his weight, a dark aperture
yawned lehind him, and the next me-
ment he fell headlong backward, clutch
ing wildly at the vines, which broke IL
brittle handfuls and then closed eve
the aperture as before
Sircombe had uttered yell OF warn
lng-Edgar was silent-and started for
ward to aid him-but he was too late
He gazed at the leafy screen with dazes
senses; he put out his hand to tear !
apart, but paused in the very act an'
for long, long minute considered, witt
fixed eye and hands Outstretched.
There was neither voice nor movemsa
within.
Nothing but the lowering heavens an'
the mstionless trees to be seen.
Ero BE Continued
WYOMING is no place for old bach