Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-01-08
SUSPICIOUS.

heavily into the station at Melreux and
Weakened into momentary life its sleepy
stagnation. About half a dozen passen-
gers alighted, among whom was tall,
bronzed Englishman. His searching
glance warmed into a smile Of pleasure
as he strobe hastily toward Belgian
gentleman who rushed to greet him
with outstretched arms. With a 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 i'll 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 clock chimed
unsteady.
"a quarter to 49," said he "You
will just have time to get rid of your
travel stains before lunch. "
"Yes, NJ Baryaux, l 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 M. Barvaux awaiting him AS
they entered the morning room i'll 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.
Barvaux spoke English quite huently,
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 M. Barvaux with look of
deep anxiety, and once when his wife
placed her arm round the girls neck af-
fectionately Jack thought he perceived
an expression of mingled hate and fear
on the face of the Belgian as he gazed
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 in 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 eXtemI cried 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 were confirmed and intensi-
fed However, he could discover no in
telligible explanation of the numberless
trivial incidents which, had not his at
lGitiOAA btNll IOuHCtl, NbA4Nl navy CLbiIG-
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. Barvaux, that their friendship was
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. Barvaux, seizing 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, Il am very sorry for you.
should have warned you earlier" Sink
ing his voice to IA hoarse whisper he
continued, "She is 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 All 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 hallucination ans
resolved to humor him.
but she is SO devoted to your wife,
said he.
Eyes, and that is why I dare not
speak. My wife thinks Angelina is al
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 q
woman's dress i'll the room. He turned
and saw "a figure in white.
"Angeline, was ON his lips, and he
was about to spring to his feet when he
saw something which turned him tC
stone. She was standing at the side.
board with thick green glass vial, the
contents of which she was pouring into
the decanter Of wine specially reserved
for M. Barvaux.