Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-06-11
manded Duncan Godfrey. i have

sense. p 001n staWmeItus dS
pistol was thrust into his hand
Wodlrey, are you drunk, or are
you crazy"
'NellheIr Duncan answered, la
cOnically. 'Get out and hghtv
What forl'
For your lIfel You have stolen
Constance's neart from me. She
never would heve been so false, il
you had not tempted her to break
her faith with me-
'Godfrey, you are stalk staring
madl | never tried to win Con
stance from youP
You lie, John LangdOn?
Il oan understand that at least,
cried John leaping out of the
sleigh. What do you wanlF
Fighlr Duncan said, waving
him back, aud poiutlnga pistol at
his breast.
There was dead silence for "a
moment, then Duncan cried:
90 le, two, three fire!
Two shots broke The stiffness OF
the night aud then Jph l. ngion
fell, his blood gushing IN a crimson
tide over the white snow.
Leaning over him, d nctn felt
that quick thrill of horror which
inevitably follows snch deeds of
violence.
'Get me out ofthIs,' John gasped
'as quick as YOU can, or there Will
be "a dlStuTba1ce.'
BIT Duncan did not seem to
think of that, and in a few nom
ents several people had gathered.
Good heavens CRED a police
man as be bent over John, who
wa, nlreding proiusely. How did
This happenP
st was accidental the brave
fellow gasppd. I'VE were shooting
at mark and one OF the pistols
went of Unexpectedly. Godfrey,
don't make any mistake. Comics
as true as STEEL
Then his head dropped on his
breast and be tainted away.
When morning dawned, Duncan
was a. the Langdons.' pacing the
parlor floor IN agony of spirit,
while wo or three doctors hover
ed abont Johns bed, uncertain
whether it wOuld he lite or deaab
with him.
4 sleigh drove up to the door,
and Constance Oram got out.
They nshered her into the room
where her lover was. and when
she saw his white, anxious face,
sue knew in a moment that her
worst fears were realized.
Oh Duncan she cried, in n
voice of agony, st was you?
Yes he answered, hOarsely, I'll
was [. But twas love of lou that
drove me to it. Do not touch me-
There is blood on my hands
OH she mOaned, how could
youg You must haYe been madl
That letter was not to John Lang
don, 1t was one wrote for Tlllie.
the chambermaid. She has two
loyers-JohG MOriaty aud DenOis
Grimes. Oh, d mean, DunclnH
lie gaze her Que look OF snch
unspeakable anguish that words
cannot describe it.
Il was blind with jealousy" he
cried, in despair. 'lle was hero!
Good by, Constancei II JOba Llng
don dies / shall not shelter myself
behind his generosity, 1 will give
myself up and the law may take
It's course
She had sunk in a white, shud
denng heap upon the hoor, AMI
when she raised her head he was
gone.
sBut, thank heaven, there came
day when John Langdon was
we'll and strong again.
Not until that day would Dnn
can consent to see Constance, and
first of all he sued for pardon at
the hands of him he had so nearly
deprived of life.
sCan you forgive me, Constancei
he said gravely. 1T is more' than
| deserve
Eyes can forgive yOa; Duncan
she answered softly. Il know that
YOU have suffered enough, aud
that you will never doubt me
again.
'NeveT.' was his fervent reply
and there were tears on his cheek.
Il have learned a lesson l cannot
forgetl'
They are married now, and
strange to say Jack Langdon Il
Duncan's most particular triend.-
Saturday Night.
1