Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-07-21
WomanAgainstWoIn
&BY&
MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.
MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.


rose the mothers voice:
"Oh, God, l thank thee"
Alice stood rooted to the spot, while
Lord Roy, who had grown deathly
white at sight of his mother, and the
pale, beautiful face beside her, now
grasped the chair he held as in vice.
all thoughts pushed aside but the one
that said his burden was aoout to be
lifted from him.
They found him In Madmans
Drift, sir" continued the servant, wild
with excitement and trembling all
over. Some men from Dixon's were
passing along, and they heard his
cries. They are bringing him here
straight, my lady. He's almost dead
A thin, dark man."
Dark" whispered Alice to her
self, but she did not move, and in
another moment it seemed the room
was filled with people, and her eyes
rested, as through mist, on the
face that had glared at her so horribly
before her senses faded away. Lord
Roy gazed at it too, but not for
long. He turned involuntarily and ap-
preached her swiftly.
"Is it the man?" he asked almost
inaudibly from emotion.
Eyes, 1t Is he" answered Alice
family.
Lord Roy covered his face with his
hands, while a great cry of thank
fulness went up from his heart. He
read the JOY in his mothers eyes,
and he went towards her, clasping
her frail hands tenderly, as Sir Rob
ert Carlyle bent over the death-like
form that was carried in on a mat
tress.
Il must take a statement" came
quickly from the dying man. CLEAR
the room of the servants"
The group of people passed away
slowly while Alice stood alone,
grasping a chair, and feeling suddenly
weak. Valerie Ross seemed turned to
marble,-no touch of life was there in
her white, set face.
The mother and son stood together.
All waited for the first faint words
from the pallid lips. The man looked
round on their anxious counter
ances, and a smile seemed to hover
about his mouth. 1t dies away In
second.
1T would have answered WELL" he
murmured, but fate was too strong"
Sir Robert listened eagerly.
You killed Eustice Rivers?" he
asked, as the man paused and breathed
heavily.
A lurid light beamed in the sunken
eyes.
yes; l killed Eustace Rivers-1
stabbed him to death. My name is
Bruce Gardyne. L"
"Why?" a voice clear and hard
rang through the room" why did
you kill him?"
1t was Valerie Ross who spoke, but
all were listening to the confession,
and forgot their surprise that she
questioned him.
The man shot glance on her.
Another" he whispered; poor
soul! killed him because hated him
because he stole my wife. On her
broken-hearted dead body--I swore to
be revenged. 1t came-last night
have waited so long. Fate seemed to
help me-they were quarrelling;" his
voice sank.
Sir Robert was writing rapidly. One
of the gentlemen lifted the dying
mans head, and moistened his lips
with brandy. He struggled and
went on:
In the dark listened-I stole after
them-stabbed him in the back
then flung myself on-the other-and
overcame him; thought--to throw
the murder-on him-and dragged
the body-to his side. But / was
mistaken. That black break in the
path-the awful fall-the misery of
the night My revenge was complete
but
A gentle tender voice came to his
ear.
Now let revenge be forgotten"
murmured Lady Darrell as she knelt
beside him. You have done good
You have given me back my son
restored his honor; turn now to God
Pray that this terrible sin may be
pardoned. 1t is not too late-pray
A sob broke from his thorat, and
a whisper went out on the stiffness.
All were silent, till he motioned
Sir Robert to give him the pen.
With nerveless fingers he grasped
it, was raised up, and his hand
guided. The next instant a cold
hue settled on his face, there was a
struggle, and Bruce
Gardyne fell back dead.
Sir Robert lifted Lady Darrell
from her knees.
Let me conduct you away; this
is no place for you, nor for Miss Rose.
Come"
Valerie moved out Of the room alone,
still as silent and set as statue. |
She seemd to walk mechanically.
Lady Darrell was about to follow.
when her eyes fell on Alice.
And this poor girl is the one who
saw 1t all-was the chief witness. |