The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-16

deserves his fate
It was not till we had regained his house
that he remembered to ask me:
Have you the least idea just what direc-
ton his abominable bullet took?"
NO replied.
Anyway. we made sure that it hurt no
one"
II own that thought for a moment
came my next sentence. And then paused.
Prescott" 1 soon cried.
wen?"
1 had torn open my coat. In my waist
coat pocket just over my heart was an
ivory miniature of Lillian, guarded by a
huge case of solid oval gold, which bore our
blended monograms in diamonds and pearls
1t was an exquisite gift received from her
on the first Christmas after our engagement
destined to be our last as well. Before her
death the charming bauble had seemed too
heavy for me to carry on my person. After
ward I had slipped it into my left waist
coat pocket and worn it there, at first with
some discomfort, later with none in the
least.
Look? presently exclaimed.
Bedded in the thick gold, just in the heart
| of it's diamond-and-pearl monogram, was
small cube of lead.
There is SiIvianis bullet I went on.
opened the case, which it's semi-shattered
condition caused me to do with some diff
L Guilty. The miniature of Lillian remained
inside perfectly intact. 1 kissed it as
handed Prescott it's golden receptacle. 1T
was directly over my heart" 1 still pur-
sued. BAT for this fact / should now be
a corpse and those momentous words, You
shall die to-day. would have been verified.
Past doubt even the skeptical Prescott
Arden was at least temporarily dismayed.
"Of course, it's all marvellous enough, AL
| fred he at length said, with one of his
smiles, cold, yet somehow sympathetic.
Still, we should recollect that there's al
ways a mighty gulf between the marvellous
and the supernatural"
81 believe it is supernatural rang my an
swer, and almost tearfully. II believe that
Lillian has twice to-day shielded me from
an awful death. Oh know you think me
a sort of mailman, Prescott. But never
mind. Leave me my reverence. and I will
promise not to modest your disdain."
1T is not disdain, my dear boy" came
the quick response. 1T is" And he
paused, with his smile deepening.
"Oh, 1 know what you meant to say.
You meant to tell me that it is common
sense. Well I prefer my uncommon sense,
that's ALL
He put a caressing arm about my neck,
and spoke to me in tones rich with the
kindliest feeling. You're unnerved, Alfred,
and little wonder
''It's my day of DOOM I replied, grimly
jocose. 1--WE still several hours more of it
to live through, or TO die in-unless she
saves me-"
| Come, my boy You shall draught that
will concoct for you-a very harmless,
| ,1ei.,
naturally and peacefully until dinner time.
Then we shall dine here at home together
you have more than once praised my cook
At least he doesn't flourish pistols like Sill
viani. And we only had time to drinl; about
two glasses each of the Chianti: perhaps
bottle of my choicest claret may prove
consolatory'
took the draught Prescott prepared for
me, and lay down on the most comfort
able of lounges. 1 felt intensely tired, but
not drowsy. My host darkened the room
and left me alone; but unless l greatly err
a whole hour passed during which the mar
cotic failed to affect me- Then came SUM
ber and then, afterward, it seemed to me
that 1 had walked from the shortest OF
dozes. But in reality / had slept nearly
three hours, quite dreamlessly, and found
myself refreshed and strengthened Soon
1
at small dinner table, admirably ap-
pointed. L knew his dining room well-had
rot he and Lillian and 1 grouped there
again and again in other days, uttering a
thousand things random or earnest or
merry? The small dark-paneled chamber
always seemed alive to me, nowadays
with memories and echoes.
AT the right of the high, quaint Eliza
bethan mantel Prescott had caused to be
built an alcove, in which he had hung a
large portrait of his sister, so dearly loved
and so deeply mourned. There were cush-
Toned seats in this alcove, and two shelves
or brackets, on which were constantly kept
two vases full of fresh flowers. But in front
two curtains of amber plush depended, in
cessantly closed. The whole little place was
a sort of shrine, and Prescott's reason for
having had it constructed here was because
Lillian had cherished the room as a piece
of her own artistic and decorative inven-
ton. The portrait was one for which she
had sat to o famous painter in Paris a
year or so before her betrothal. That Pres
colt should have chosen to locate it and to
pay it his continual floral tribute was only
one of many proofs of how his hard-hearted
| rationalism coexisted with funds of the ten
| derest and sweetest sentiment.
did not this evening offer to divide those
| obscuring curtains. Even the new composure
wrought by SO long and wholesome a sleep
had not served to make me certain regard
| ing my powers of self-control if l should
now meet-after day replete with agita-
ton and excitement-this cherished picture
| of my lost love face to face.
1t is very probable that Prescott observed
how sparingly l ate at dinner, and how
| gulped down with unhabitual gusto several
| glasses of his rare claret. In any case, 1
| perceived by about o'clock that he was
loath to let me depart, and l heard him
give orders to his servant which felt conf
dent had relation to the dismissal of all pa
| tients who might call. A little later he en-
| gagged me in a game of whist, which he was
well aware that l played with pleasure and
skill. He was not good or experienced a
player as l. but l had lost three games by
II o'clock. though 1 began by winning two
Finally rose from the table and told him
that thought had better go home.
80 early?" he said. There was an odd
note in his voice. which caused me visibly
| to start.
You're not a keeper of late hours 1 be-
gan. You've often told me-
Oh. I'm not afraid of midnight, Alfred.
And If you're tired of whist I've a new
amusement for you. Such curious book on
those Indian refuses they call experts, who