Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-07-09
CHAPTER v.-tCoSrISuEp.,

lmmeasurably his superior ID muscui"A
power. So, 1t is with feelings OF Keen
annoyance that I am Obliged to relate
the result Of that hand-to-hand strus-
gle. I was strong. and had measuero
my strength with many, but never Win
such a man as this. The moment wo
closed felt that should be CONQUERED
that right does not always gain the VIC
tory. Grants arms were like bars OF
Iron. the girth Of his chest almost ap-
normal: moreover. he stood two inches
taller than did. Had been told tnat
any man could have lifted me from my
feet. carried me through two open doors
and finally thrown me stnggerins' iheo
the center Of the roadway. I should nave
laughed the Idea to scorn. But Eustace
Grant did all this. and shut and ooiteo
the outer door before could recover
myself.
Mad with the rage OF defeat. ! grasped
the railings and painted for breath. !
cursed Eustace Grant. / cursed my
faithless wife. I cursed myself ana my
impotence. Such was my state that.
could / have obtained pistol. would
have waited on that doorstep and shot
the man who hal betrayed me, as soon
as Re had emerged from his place OF
safety-shot him dead without COM
Function. Nor was my mind any way
soothed by hearing the window thrown
up, and seeing my hat tossed out con-
temptuously. was fain to stoop ana
pick 1t up, In order to save myself from
becoming an object OF curiosity to pass
ers-by.
What was to do? Ny mind at pres
ent could only grasp one fact-that
Grant had. by some diabolical means,
Induced Viola to leave me and give her
self to him. For awhile my course
seemed limited to one issue; / must
walt here. outside his house, until at
last he came forth. Then I must dog
his footsteps until they led me to the
faithless woman who had ruined my
life and brought me TO shame. l
groaned at the thought Of what little
more than twelve hours had done. This
morning I was the happiest man In
England; tonight was the most mis-
cradle!
So for hours I walked up and down In
front of the house which held the trail
tor. I saw the lights extinguished.
Once or twice I saw the blind drawn
aside, and guessed that Grant was look
ing out to see II had left my post. No.
you traitor, you villain! am still there.
and shall be there until you come out
Then I will dog you to the bitter end.
The hours went by, the dawn began
to break. Still-an object Of curiosity,
II not suspicion, to the policeman-I
kept my post. and should have kept 1t
for hours longer. had 1t not all at once
occurred to me that so long as I was
there, so long would Grant remain
where he was. must perforce keep
watch until I could find some one to
whom the task might be deputed.
AT z o'clock I was able to gain ad-
mission to an old-fashioned family and
commercial inn which stood some short
distance off. The bay window Of the
coffee room commanded a view of
Grants house. Here seated myself,
and, having obtained London direc-
tory, wrote and dispatched letter to a
well-known private detective, request
ing that clever. trustworthy man
might be at once sent to me. Then, from
the window Of the hotel, I resumed my
watch.
At Q o'clock the man whom I had
summoned arrived. 1 told him what to
do. He was to wait until he saw Grant
depart. He was to follow him, and
having ascertained his destination, was
the accursed spot, went back to my
hotel, and tried to sleep.
AS entered the room which Viola
and had occupied, I could almost per.
suade myself that had dreamed the
events of the last twenty-four hours
All her personal effects were as she left
them; her gloves, her brushes, her toi-
let indispensables were all there. Even
her watch she had left behind her. She
broke the spring at the seaside, and
there was no time to get 1t repaired
before we started for the continent; be
sides, I had intended buying her a new
one in Paris. To-morrow-yes, to-mor.
row would be Thursday-to- morrow We
had proposed crossing to France Heav.
ems! what did it all mean?
Sleep with my mind in this whirl was
unattainable. Later in the day, more
for something to do than in pursuance
of any hope, went to Viola's old home
and asked If she had been there to-day
No, not since yesterday morning. This
the servants rather wondered at, a.
Miss Rossiter was very i'll; two doctors
were with her now. aiA,
In my present state of mind | cared
nothing for the old lady's illness but
knew that the motive which kept Viola
from her side when suffering must be
a strong one. Yet, little woman who
could leave her husband, as she had left
/ me, would reck for the ailments of q
friend!
Curses on her false, fair face!
| The hours passed, somehow. At three
O'Clock telegraph message was brought
me. tore it open. 1t was from Folke.
! stone, and ran SO:
Followed him here. He left by Bou.
logne boat. Was Joined on pier by lady
Tall, closely yelled. fair hair. Wore
costly ring of diamonds. Seemed Ill and
upset. Did not follow to France, hav.
ing no instructions to leave England
The last, the very last hope was gone
Viola and Eustace Grant had fled to-
gether! ground my teeth bit my
lips until the blood came. cursed the
| detectiye's stlinidity ot MT hoyipo fol