Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-03-17
at isl. Henii, Miss Huntington.


Where is your master?"
Henri slowly stalked from behind
the screen.
"You-you, Miss Dorothy." he STAN
mered, and then he stood mute picture
of indecision, his glance shifting to and
fro uneasily.
where is Mr.. Gielow? I must see
him." said the heiress.
Henri made no response. He clutched
a brass stand, on, which lay some
curios, and they shook and ratified
harshly. A small piece of china fell
to the floor with a crash, but he did not
notice it. Miss Huntington stepped de-
liberateIy to the chandelier and raised
one of the lights. Then her eyes fell
on Henri. His collar was unfastened,
his necktie awry, and his long black
hair jumbleG; his eyes looked as if from
weeping they had swollen too big for
their sockets.
"What's the matter, Henri ?" asked
Miss Huntington, almost 6erccly, his
bearing and aspect hurting a fresh
shaft. of conviction into her heart.
"Spealz, I say; don't you know I am as
true friend to him as you are?"
'He-he's gone. Miss Dorothy" was
the reply.
Gone? Where?"
The man sank on divan, forgetful of
his station. He clasped his shaggy
head between his hands and groaned.
His weakness seemed to appeal to the
same quality Il the heiress. Her mouth
lost its frmness. her face appeared to
wither. She tottered to the grand
piano which, open and Uttered with
sheets of music and the ashes and re-
mains of cigars, stood near, and leaned
heavily upon it.
Mrs. Winfret stepped up to the man
and laid a commanding hand on his
shoulder.
Where has he gone toe" she demand
ed. ''Speak, say!'
Henri looked inquiringly at Dorothy,
ard perceiying that she was hanging
on his reply, said:
81 don't know-I can't say. but he has
left forever-forever, Miss Dorothy!"
The girl felt her knees growing weak,
and she sank into a rustic chair which
1.er lover had brought from the hillsfof
Palestine. Presently she leaned for
ward.
Henri, you must tell me all you
know" she said, firmly. "I am his
friend. You know can be trusted"
81 know that well, Miss Dorothy"
his accent betraying just tie faintest
touch of his French birth, "but he made
me promise not to betray him to any
one, although almost the last word he
spoke was to say he did it for your sake"
Ibid it for my sake!" muttered the
girl, and there she paused. 1t looked
as if she were afraid that Henri's next
words would furnish positive confirma
ton of her worst fears.
eff 1t was not for the row he had with
Mr.. Caruthers at the club I'd really be-
lieve that there was some mistake about
it," continued Henri, in dismal half
whine, half sobbing tone. "But as it is
he has ruined himself for all time"
The man buried his face in his tense
hands and rocked back and forth il a
storm of emotion.
Henri said Miss Huntin gton at the
lowest ebb of hope, do you believe your
master killed Mr.. Caruthers?"
81 have been wanting to go to the
Palace hotel to find out if anything has
gone wrong there" was the answer;
but my master told me TO stay right
here and deny to any caller that he had
left the city. He said he had murdered
Mr.. Caruthers, but 1 hope-I almost
hope that master was out of his head"
Great God!" exclaimed Dorothy, I'M
der her breath, and then she raised her
voice: He confessed ii to ycu?'
Henri nodded.
HE said so, Miss Dorothy, but
Henri, Mr.. Caruthers was murdered
ten days ago in his rooms at the Palace
hotel"
"Are you sure. Miss Dorothy?''
eyes, Mr.. Hendricks, the most cele-
brated criminal detective in the United
States informed me of it about an hour
ago."
Then it is truei" gasped the serv-
ant. ''My mate not only told me about
it, but I overheard him confessing it
to Count Bantirni. The count was
asking him all the particulars, and then
heard the count say: Now you must
tell Henri. Tell. him you did it, and
then remember you must make your
escape
"Then some one rang for me, and i
came in. Master was walking up and
down the room tearing his hair and
| crying and swearing terribly. He was
like a mailman. He would take hold of
a statue and choke it and yell out: oh,
I've got you now, you black-hearted
rouei If I can't have her she shall be
free from your dirty cfutches!' Then
he turned as I entered and started to
fly at me with the fury of tiger, but
the count caught him and drew him
back.
"'Ten him now said the count; tell
him about the murder
"And then master grew ca1mer and
told me a frightful story, such an I'M
natural one that was sure he was mad.
But the count told me it was true and
| ordered me to pack my masters bag