The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-11

back alone.
turned away, very miserable and
sad at heart but, strange to say, felt
no fear of evil. Business had, of
course detained him. 1t seemed I'M
kind not to have let me know in some
way, but perhaps he could find no
means of doing so. There was not
the slightest chance of his returning
tonight, the distance being far too
great for driving. | must wait until
tomorrow.
1t was only when l went to bed
alone, for almost the first time since
we were married-that fear fell upon
me, and fancy brought horrid ideas
to my mind-that the possibility of
evil having befallen my husband
came to me. The large sum of money
he carried, the lonely road, the black
faced GOLFERS about the neighbor-
hood-all combined to fill me with
nameless dread-a terror which |
could scarcely put into thoughts,
lnuch less into words. Yet | strove
with my fears, trying to strangle
each one as it was born.
II shall see him to morrow. To
morrow | shall see him." | repeated
over and over again; and as that
morning at last dawned, I fell into a
restless sleep.
But morning brought him not
noon brought him not-neither let
ter nor message. So my heart died
within me; and taking maid with
me, | started for Bristol by the after
noon train. 1t was Sunday: the
street of the large town looked dreary
and deserted as we passed through
them. Knowing Mr.. Leach's private
address, we drove straight to his
house. After some delay | was
shown into room.
By-and-by Mr.. Leach entered, with
his fat forefnger closed in book of
sermons which, l felt instinctively,
he had been engaged in reading for
the benefit of his young vultures.
His smooth face was full of gentle
establishment that anyone should
wish to confer with him on business
matters on that particular evening in
the week. As | looked at him and
read through his mask of hypocrisy,
| knew that the man was a rogue
and capable of committing any crime.
When he saw who his visitor was, his
astonished look changed to one of
annoyance. He closed his book en-
tirely, laying it on the table with the
edifying title turned toward nc.
1t seems childish to mention such
trivial incidents; but during that
terrible time every word, every detail,
seems craven upon my memory in
deep lines that will never be effaced
81 have called, Mr.. Leach" |
began.
MY dear Mrs. Linton, | know why
you have called. But | am sorry to
be obliged to say that your errand is
useless utterly useless. Mr.. Linton
made promise he has not kept He
cannot blame us for the steps we
have taken"
ga promise not kept?" echoed.
Certainly not. He undertook to
pay us large sum of money yester-
day. He has not been near us-I
conclude be is ILL" he added, with
an approach to sheer.
| sank back in the widest grief.
Then all my fears of the night, all
my forebodings of the day, were
true! | knew that never-never
again should look on Walters face.
He had been murdered but by
whom?
Mr.. Leach endeavored, after the
manner of his kind, to comfort me.
He placed his fat hand in a soothing
way upon my arm. This action re-
stored my senses to me
my husband left me only yester-
day morning with the money you
claim in his pocket. l know it for
certain. He was going straight to
you. Where is he? Tell me?"
Mr.. Leach gave start of surprise.
but said nothing. l waited for his
answer.
"Where is he?" l reiterated. "Tell
mew
Mr.. Leach placed his finger-tips
together, and looked at me with
an expression almost like placid
amusement.
Mrs. Linton" he said slowly, 81
am man Of business, and have seen
strange things in my time, so you
mustn't be offended if / ask you a
question. Mr.. Linton had the money
ready for us, you say. In what form
was it?"