The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1898-11-02


of the loose sheets together. 81 can't
That comes OF marrying geniusi
You're enough to make any woman
want TO drown herself!"
u beg your pardon II spoke has
tily," said Arbuthnot, ruefully contem-
plating the sheets of paper which
Agatha was fast crumpling into balls;
but I've nearly finished my book, and
these sheets of paper are rather valu-
able"
Agatha threw the balls onto the
table.
And this book is to make you IA
mous?" she asked, with bitter con-
tempt. IL suppose, when its published
everyone will come and envy Inc be-
cause I'm the wife of the genius.
George Arbuthnot"
Her scornful emphasis only brought
smile 10 Arbuthnot's face.
81 don't know about that" he said,
contemporary. but it's the best
work I've done yet. And II it's sue
cessful, Agatha, ] shall be able to bay
you that diamond bangle you coveted
the other day."
But even the reference to the dia-
mond bangle failed to move Agatha.
How long will it take you to finish
il? ?" size asked, slowly, looking down
at the untidy desk.
Il hope to finish it by next week"
said Arbuthrot, triumphantly. "I'ye
allowed Lorrimer, the Weekly Review
man, to see some parts of it, and he's
expressed very favorable opinion and
thinks it's bound to be success
Aga,ha's eyes narrowed at the cor
ners.
"Lorrimer's fool" she said, an
grily.
1t was one cold afternoon, ten days
later, that Arbuthnot stood on his
doorstep in the act of inserting His
latchkey, smiling at some pleasing
"reminiscences of his recent talk with
his publisher.
Suddenly a wild, terrified cry broke
from the house, followed by scream
after scream, reiterated with such in.
tensity of anguish that Arbuthnot him.
self caught the infection of terror, and
fumblcd with trembling hands at the
latchkey.
AT last he managed TO open the door
and run into the hail. a fearful sight
met his eye. From his study door flew
something-an object developed in
writing flames, and from ii there
came piercing agonized shrieks. A.,
the draught from the open door flew
fiercely down the corridor the flames
leaped higher and higher round theii
living prey, until Arbuthnot's sick
ened gaze saw nothing but brilliant
ball of fire.
God! it was Agatha! Mad with tor
ture, the flaming figure rushed toward
him and threw out its arms in agony.
Arbuthnot caught it in tight en-
brace, and with all his strength hurlt 4
himself and the shrieking figure onto
the carpeted floor and rolled over and
over until at last the flames were
beaten cut and he knew the fire was
conquered.
Three hours later the doctor ca ne
softly downstairs. He had used all lis
skill to bring life back to the disfie-
ured body that now lay motionless on
the bed. 1t was all in vain. Agatha's
injuries were beyond all help. and She
bad lived only three hours after Ar
buthnot had carried her upstairs.
Her husband had never left her SIDE.
and, though badly burned about the
hands and face, had scarcely realized
his own injuries. AS he looked at that
cruelty difigured face. now swathed N
bandages, a rush of tears blinded his
eyes, and he knew that all past differ
ences were swept away. and that
Agatha would live hencefcrth in his
memory only as the woman whom he
had once loved with all his heart. Be-
fore life flickered out in that suffering
body Agatha opened her eyes once
and met her husbands gaze fixed with
intense pity and love upon her face.
To Arbuthnot it seemed that she plead
ed dumbly for forgiveness, but even as
he looked the lids closed again. and
in few moments Agatha's spirit had
slipped into the great silence.
When all was over, Arbuthnot
stopped and kissed the cold, pale lips
Later in the evening he went down
stairs to his study. AS he entered the
room shudder ran through his body;
he remembered the figure of flame that
lad leaped into his arms but few
hours ago. and his heart was torn at
the thought Of Agatha's sufferings.
,,l h.
had caught fire. Presumably she hac
been warming herself in his study. and
her thin grenadine dinner dress haG
swept too near the flames. A few dull,
red embers still burned in the CRATE
AIbuthnot lit the lamp and SAT dow
mechanically to his desk.
Thank God for work." he said. with
deep sigh. AT least | can forget for
a time"
He opened the deep drawer wherein
his pile of manuscript laid ready for
the printers hand. One or two omis-
SONS could easily be rectitied now. and
the work would soothe his weary heart
and brain. But-the drawer stood
empty. Hastily he pulled out its coun-
tcrpart No; that, too, held nothing.
With feversh hands he rummaged each
pigeonhole, turned everything out of
his bureau. sought on the chairs. the
tables. The manuscript had disap-
peared!
A fearful thought darted into his
brain. He ran TO the fireplace-his, eye
fell on some charred ashes in the fen
der.-Black and White.
One Way to Get Married.