Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-01-22
suspicious.

The train from Namur numbered
heavily into the station at Melreux and
Weakened into momentary life its sleepy
stagnation. About half dozen passen-
gers alighted, among whom was tall,
bronzed Englishman. His searching
glance warmed into smile of pleasure
as he strobe hastily toward Belgian
gentleman who rushed to greet him
with outstretehed arms. With string
of questions the Belgian led the way
into the station yard, where an English
dogcart was waiting. They got in and
away they dashed in a cloud Of white
dust toward the little village of Dur
buy. After half an hour brisk run they
ratified noisily through the village and
drew up before pair Of massive
wrought iron gates. The house lay at
the farther end Of short avenue of
elms, along which they drove smartly
AS the Belgian alighted a clock chimed
unsteady.
"A quarter to IL" said he "You
will just have time to get rid of your
travel stains before lunch.
Yes NJ. Barvaux, / should like to
make myself rather more presentable
before meeting the ladies, replied his
friend, Jack Hague. In less than ten
minutes he was once more spick and
span, and as he went down stairs he
found NJ Barvaux awaiting him As
they entered the morning room in which
lunch was to be served they were greet
ed by couple of ladies, whom NJ.
Barvaux introduced as his wife and her
niece, Mile. Richert
The charming manner of his host
soon made Jack perfectly at home. M.
Baryaux spoke English quite fiuently,
and was rather proud of his accomplish
ment, but Jack was rather shy with his
French at first, although the kind way
in which the girl helped him over his
difficulties enabled him to get along
smoothly enough. But he found it much
more pleasant to listen than to talk, and
when Mile. Richert began to speak of
her love for the Ardennes he instantly
became all eyes and ears.
1t was quite jolly little luncheon
party, but amid the pleasantness there
was something which Jack could not
understand Ever and anon the girl APP
peared distracted and seemed to be
watching Nj. Barvaux with look of
deep anxiety, and once when his wife
placed her arm rodnd the girls neck af
feotionately Jack thought he perceived
an expression of mingled hate and fear
on the face of the Belgian as he gazcd
under his heavy eyebrows at the girl.
AT first Jack put it down as merely his
fancy, but further observation convinced
him that there was something wrong.
The days sped by all too quickly.
Fishing i'll the Ourthe, which ran close
by or long rambles in the woods, gath
ering bilberries, occupied the hours of
daylight and in the evenings Jack sat
as though under spell while Mile.
Richert sang dainty old French love
songs or extemt orized dreamy melodies
on the piano.
But still the jarrlng note which had
struck Jack disturbed the pleasant har
mony, and as day followed day his first
suspicious We're confirmed and intensi-
fed. However, he could discover no in
telligible explanation of the numberless
trivial incidents which, had not his at
tention been reused, would have entire
ly escaped him. All he could be certain
about was that his host Enthusiastically
manifested a strange antipathy toward
his niece. This, however, did not pre-
vent Jack and the girl from becoming
close friends, and it seemed, at least to
NJ Dat4sarN tl,at fhaf1. fri doh nc
rapidly ripening into a much stronger
feeling. Jack felt that his host was dis
pleased at the turn of affairs, and he
was therefore not very much surprised
when NJ. BarvauS, Selling suitable
opportunity, asked him point blank
what were his feelings toward the
young lady. He replied with perfect
frankness that he was over head and
ears in love with her.
"Ah, my friend, " replied NJ Bar
vauX, II am very sorry for you.
should have warned you earlier" Sink
ing his voice to hoarse whisper he
continued, "She is a murderess.
Jack stared at him in amazement
Had he suddenly taken leave Of his
senses? No, he seemed perfectly ration
al, although very agitated. In an excit-
ed voice he went ON to describe how the
girl was trying to poison him. Jack
came to the conclusion that his friend
was the victim of a hallucination ans
resolved to humor him.
"But she is SO devoted to your wife, -
said he.
Eyes and that is why | dare not
speak. My wife thinks Angelina is an
angel, and am afraid to say anything.
On the next evening, the last one OF
Jack stay, he was sitting in an easy
chair among the window curtains when
suddenly he heard the soft sweep of a
woman S dress in the room. He turned
and saw figure in white.
"Angeline, was on his lips, and he
was about to spring to his feet when he
saw something which turned him to
| stone, She was standing at the side