Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-04-30
CHAPTER XXI,

Il
BIZ heel and left her.
CHAPTER XXI,
e wAs a intense relief to Marvel When
the evening came to an end, and she wal
able to retire to the solitude Of her OWE
room. There was sense of satisfa ctior
that was almost luxurious In the thousht
that she was ut last alone-that she coult
think matters out to the end without hsv
Ing to make civil answers to dull remarkl
In the very middle OF tOrmenting QuerJ
put to her own heart. She felt a lassitud(
both OF mind nni body, born Of the after
Moons misadventurc and all the nervous
doubts aud fears consequent on Il.
She rose and went over to where thu
lamps stood on her dressing table. and
looked at her lOcket--at the one frail thina
that connected her with an unknown past
She pulled the hairpins out Of the care.
fully brushed hair and rolled Il M again
into loose, soft, high knot that would
admit OF severe brushing back of the
soft trcss into severely Greek fashion,
20 ~ to accentuate the likeness to the
picture which n already saw.
She turned nj ruptly, standing now with
her back to the lamps, and saw Mrs, Scar.
lett advancing across the threshold, She
hardly knew her, the cold, supercilious
beauty Of on hour before, she looked now
so wild and haggard. Her lips were blue,
her hand was pressed convulsively to he's
side.
"Havc you any chloral?" she asked, Ia
a fierce, impatient tone that bespoke q
very agony Of pain. my maid belongs to
thts - ~ H6o ..,o.1l
leave to 60 home tonight; and she has
forgotten to put out the bottle, or mislaid
it-0r something! Have you anyW
mo; but" began Marvel, who was q
little frightened not only by her sudden
entrance, but BY the ghastliness Of her
appearance.
DO you think that you can get somer'
feverishly. III 80, do, and at once"
II think perhaps, II went to Mrs. We
rulam, she might get II from the house
keeper" said Marvel. As she spoke she
came forward In quick, eager way, until
she stood beneath the full glare Of Q
bracket lamp.
30 standing. Mrs. Scarlet raised her
eyes and saw her. An extraordinary
change swept over her face-an awful
fear mingled with curious disbelief dis.
turbcd her features. She staggered away
from Marvel with a sharp cry, and leaned
against the wall behind her. painting. shud.
derinR.
"Who are you. sirl7 Speaky she cried,
hoarsely. "Great heavens, what horrible
thing ID this? The dead-the dead! Where
are they" She grew suddenly convulsed,
aud reeled backward, clutching wildly 1t
the empty air.
Marvel sprang forward and caught her
just a. she fell. She supported her ten.
derby, and, being tall and, though slender,
strong, she lifted her In her arms, and
half drew, half carried her to low lounge
at the other side OF the fireplace.
The doing Of all this, however, created
q rather unusual disturbance, and, follow.
ing a. Il did on that short but piercing
cry that came from Mrs. Scarlet, L
reached Wednesdays cars, whose room
adjoined Marvers. He was Just In the
act Of knocking to demand the meaning
Of II, when Marvel herself unlocked the
door between them and entered his room.
She found him In his shirt aud trousers,
with the end Of cigarette between bis
lips; but she hardly took any notice Of
that, she was 10 glad to find him awake
and able to be Of service to her,
"Oh, come In! Come quickly" she said,
holding out her hand to Wriothesley; and,
finging bis cigarette into the fire, he fol.
lowed her into her own room.
"What ID 1T" he asked; and then he
saw the PROSTATE, insensible figure upon
the couch and went quickly up to II.
"She 10 not deadf" he exclaimed, with
great anxiety-an anxiety that seemed OK.
aggerated to bis wife, who could not help
watching him closely.
mot that, I hope" she said-she had
got some cologne water and was busily
bathing Mrs. Scarlett's forehead, while
Wriothesley In q rather helpless fashion
was cha6ng her hands. III one had
little brandy! he said, Frightening % the
idea occurred to him; and, dropping the
inanimate hands, he rushed OF to bis own
room.
"Oh, don't be long!' entreated Marvel,
as he passed by her.
He returned almost Immediately, and
between them they forced little Of the
spirits within Mrs. Scarlett's pallid lips.
1t seemed to revive her, and presently she
opened her eyes and gazed without intel.
ligence around her. She sighed family;
memory seemed to come back to her In a
Hash, and. as It did SO. her glance fell on
Wriothesley, who was bending solicitously
over her.
"You!" she said.
y hope you are feeling better now"
said he, kindly; but she was still some
what daxed by her late attack, and did
not seem to hear him.
"You" she said again. In low, curious
tone, with smile that Marvel had never
seen upon her lips before; and yet, soft
though It was and suggestive Of unbound.
ed tenderness, there was more Of graft.
fed vanity, Of exulting triumph In It than
honest affection. She raised her hand
feebly and held II out to him.
He grew very red, but Of course he had
to take II.
She took the candlestick that Marvel
put into her hand, still without looking at
her, and then went out Of the room and
up the corridor to her own apartment.
Marvel stood looking after her, Cypress
cd always by vague sense Of uneasiness.
until she saw her cross her own threshold,
when, with little sigh, she turned again
and closed her door. Wriothesley stood
on the hearth rug, his hands clasped be-
hind his back.
(To be continued.)