The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-09-08
UNJUST Suspicious.

Tbe train from Namur numbered
hea'ily into the station at MelreuN and
vakened into momentary life its
I'sleepy stagnation. About half doz-
en- passengers alighted, among whom
was a tall, bronzed Englishman. HIS
searching glance warmed into a smile
H pleasure as he strobe hastily toward
a Belgian gentleman who rushed 10
greet him with cutstretched arms.
With a string of questions the Bel
gian led the way into the station yard.
where an English dog cart was wait.
ing. They got N and away they
dashed in a clouG of white dust TO-
ward the little village of Durbuy. Az
ter half an hours Itisk run they rat
tied noisily through the village and
drew up before Il pair of massive
wroaght-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 musically.
"A quarter to twelve" 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 o6ce more spick and
span, and as lie went downstairs he
found NJ. BarvaCx awaiting him. AS
they entered the morning-room in
which lunch was to be served they
were greeted by e couple of ladies,
whom NJ. BarvalZ introduced as his
wife and her Iiece, Mile. RIchert.
The charming manner of his host
soon made Jack perfectly at home. NJ
BarvauS spoke English quite fluentiy,
and was rather proud of his accom-
plishment, but Jack was IA ather shy
with his French at first, although the
kind way in which tie girl helped him
over his difficulties enabled him to yet
along smoothly enough. But he found
1t much more pleasant to listen than
to talk, and when atlle. Richert began
to speak of her love fer the Ardennes
he Instantly became all eyes ard ears.
1t WAS quite a jolly little luncheon
party but amid the pieasantness there
was something which Jack could not
understand. Ever and anon the girl
appeared ahstracted and seemed to be
watching NJ. BarvauX with n look of
deep anxiety, and once when his wife
placed her arm round the gi2i's neck
aifectiorately Jack thought he per-
ceiyed an expression of mingled hate
and fear en- the lace of the belgian
as be gaZed under his heavy eyebrows
at the girl. At first Jack put II down
as mer"'Y his fancy but further OBJ
servation convinced him that there
was something wrong.
The days sped by all too quickly.
Fishing III the Oufthe, which ran close
by, or lorr ramDies in the woods.
gathering bii-berrics, occupied the
hours of daylight and in the evenings
Jack sat as though under spell while
Mile. Richert sang dainty old French
love songs OF eXtepporized dreamy
melodies on the piano.
But still the jairjng note which had
struck lack disturbed the pleasant
harmony, and as day followed day his
first suspicious were confirmed aud in
tensifed. However. he could discover
no ineligible explanation of the mum.
berless trivial incidents which, had no.
his attention bee1 reused, would have
entirely escaped him. AL he could be
certain abcnt waS that his host un-
mistakaDly manifested a strange an
tipathy toward his niece. This how
ever, did not prevent Jack and the girl
from becoming close friends, and II
seemed, at least to NJ. Barvaux, that
their friendship was rapidly rIpening
into much stronger feeling. Jack
felt that his host was displeased at
the turn of affairs, and he was there
fore not very much surprised when NJ.
Barvaux, seizing a suitable emporium
ity, asked him poiAt blank what were
his feelings toward the young lady.
lie replied with perfect frankness
that he was over head and ears in
love with Ter.
"Ah, my friend" replied NJ. Bar.
vaux II am very sorry for you. I
should have warned you earlier"
Sinking his voice 81 hoarse whisper
he continued. "Sae is a murderess.'
Jack stared at him In amazement
Had he suddenly taken leave OF his
senses! No, ne seemed perfectly ra-
tional, although very agitated. In ar
excited 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 n hallucina-
1ion anG 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 Angeline is an
angel and l am afraid to say any
thing"
:. On the next evening, the last one Of
Jacks stay, he was sitting in an easy
chair among the window curtains
when suddenly he heard the soft
sweep of woman's dress in the room.
lie turned and saw figure In white.
"Angeline," was on his Inns, and he