River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-07-27

too. How often had hsr dainty hands
caressed her sleek an | gl.ssy coat My
Journey was ended, il seemed. But,
no; a horseman came riding needless
ly upon us, for the night was dark. and
stumbled over the form of my steed.
He was thrown. l helped the beast 10
its feet again, mounted it and rode on.
''The wind was rising, and presently
a spot or two of rain began to fall; the
sky became overcast \ storm? Per
haps so, and all the better, for was not
my heart stormy also? | crossed a
stretch of moorland, and then the rain
began to pour. ] rode on. Not star
shone now, the way was dark; the
wind howled, the thunder roared.
"A few more miles and | was not yet
off the heath. Soaked TO the skin,
mechanically saw the trees swaying in
the fierce wind and heard the branches
creaking and croaking TO the tune of:
On. on Now and again forked
lightning flashed through the leaden
sky, Illuminating the sparkling rain
then all was black once more.
And then suddenly my horse slipped
II had collided against some vehicle
which remained stationary in tie road.
The force of the collision unseated me.
and ! CROPPED around the covered car
riage like blind man feeling in the
dark, and then lighted upon the closed
door. We were in the very center OF
the lonely heath, miles from any hab-
itation Could it mean highway rob-
berry?
Il tremblingly touched the handle OF
the carriage door. Who's that?' cried
a mans voice above the thunder.
started and shivered. Merciful heaveni
the mani My body on fire, my eyes
burning as with fever, made no reply.
but peered in, and at that moment the
sky burst into brilliant radiance. ]
started back-that pale, wan face in
the corner OF the carriage which the
lightning had ilIumined-it was my
wifes!
"'Muriel, Muriel!' l shrieked.
There was no answer.
'Aluriel, Muriei!' | shrieked again.
but still there was no response, and
the eyes of my darling remained steadi-
~ fixed into vacancy.
with a passion that nearly tore me
asunder | cried out 10 the man, who,
seeming half-dazed, had the while been
gazing at her tenderly, clasping her
cold, lifeless hand.
you've killed her! You've killed
herl'
He turned into fury at that.
GIVE mott he cried. / swear by God,
I've not! The lightning struck her an
hour ago.
ITS lie!' | screamed, and my voice
seemed TO pierce beyond the din of the
elements; and, gripping him by the
throat, dragged him from the carriage
and strangled him till he was dead!
And that is all. | reverently COW
cred Muriel up and fled, but since then
the villains relatives have been on my
track. They say l killed him-that I'm
mad. Dozens, scores of times they've
nearly had me, and ark, they COM
ing now!"
Hurcombe, who during the recital
mad remained spellbound, moved I'M
easily in his chair.
i hear nothing" he said at last: and
then, recovering himself, adroitly
turned to ring the electric bell. But the
visitor had prevented him.
Don't do that, he said, in a voice so
calm that the actor-manager, aston
ished, looked up quickly.
The man was smiling quite naturally
and sanely.
MIR. Hurcombe,'' he said, ''as you've
repeatedly assured me, I'm perfectly
sane"
WHAT gasped the manager,
astounded at hearing his own name pro-
nounced.
I'm sane" repeated the man. Il
trust you'll excuse the trick I've played
upon YOU, trick brought about by
necessity and the urgency of my case.
An actor, I've been out of an engage
ment for months; and, hearing this
morning of the Illness of two members
of your company. determined | would
either secure the engagement or end a
life of poverty.off Waterloo bridge. All
day al the theater I've bean trying to
get your ear, but no one would take up
my name. | looked too seedy, | sup
pose. The thing was hopeless, and |
walked toward the river; but the wa
ter looked so cold. If you had only been
able to give me a chance | felt | should
have proved a success in the part, which
is not unlike the one I've been assuming
now. Desperation drives a man to
strange things, and | resolved upon a
bold course. An hour ago / saw you
enter here, when by lucky circum-
stances you omitted to fasten the door
securely. The rest you know, sir. It's
an engagement | want-not charity"
Edward Hurcombe grasped the sitn-
alton at once, and his eyes were dim,
for he was man of warm sympathies.
My boy" he said, rising and taking
the others hand, you've solved the
very problem / was considering when
you so unceremoniously entered. The
parts yours, and good luck go with it. =
- Chic1gO TimPs-Her Id