Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-23

would have revenge on Master NED,
and on the girl, and save himself as
we'll. But how could he do it?
He watched about the door of the
theatre, not knowing why, or what he
expected to gain.
lie questioned Jane, who told him
that the young ladies had seen Miss
Murray, and thought her
pretty and good, and would likely
give in.
In this way Tom heard the name of
the young lady he had insulted.
lie went to the theatre one night,
and from front seat in the gallery,
looked down upon the play.
He saw Mr.. Ned in box, and saw
the girl look at him when basket Of
flowers was brought up the aisle by an
usher.
Something in tho play which was a
new one-and in which Miss Murray
had good part vexed and irritated
him. \ low fellow tormented and
tried to injure her. A fine fellow loved
and saved and married her.
Tom, neither a reader, nor much OF
3 play goer, felt as though he were
being held up to the public in this
drama, as though the low fellow were
intended for portrait of himself, the
hero his master.
When they Kissed the defeated rascal,
and applauded triumphant virtue, he
crammed his hat down over his eyes,
sneered, and left the building.
II was coward to let the boy hit
me, and not hit back" he muttered.
I'm no man if don't do something
to revenge myself. -
Still his plans we're not formed until
one day Jane told him another bit
of gossip.
theatre to see Miss Murray play" she
said, land to be takin' her home
AFTER
~ know that" Tom said, gloomily.
Jane was prettier than ever that
night. Old Williams knees were worse.
The coach box seemed near; il only he
had never insulted that little actress
with Master Ned so near at hand Oh,
il he could kill her and so end it all {!
Eyes; We know everything, but |
could tell We more" Jane was saving.
Next Thursday she'll 90 home alone.
Miss Kate has her birthday party, and
she made Master Ned promise not to go
out that night. Gertrude will be taken
care of by old Aunty Mason, he said
They are not too well pleased even yet.
They wanted him to marry one of the
Miss Bevens. Plain-lookin' crayters,
but 'rastycratic and ginteel. For my
part, I'd nut give fig for gentility or
'rastocrarity, barrin' I'd like the
money they have. y
"Jane," said Tom, suddenly, ''ii
William goes, and I've the coachman's
place after him, will you marry met
I'll have the rooms over the stable and
all will be comfortable. ~
"Oh, wouldn't mind,' said Jane,
$50 long as you got it. But never
would marry the best man in the world
without he was well sitiwated. There's
many has had to go out washing and
wished themselves well back at
sarvace, afther marryin'."
But il l get it?-and it's for years,
that place u.s." said Tom-''for they ii
never send coachman they can trust
away-then you'll have me?''
Jane nodded, and Tom tried to kiss
her, and succeeded, but even then he
was forming diabolic plan fol-
Gertrude Murray's destruction.
An old story, which he remembered
as being told by the light of u peat fire
long ago, gave him the idea which he
meant to carry out.
On this night, whom Ned was al
home, he would go to the theatre with
cab, which he would drive himself,
and invent message from his master
that he had been sent to take hei
home. Once in the cab, he woult
chloroform her, drive her to lonely
wharf he knew, and cast her thence
into the water.
And there'll be no wedding fol
Master Ned, and no turning out fol
me. I'll save myself, and be revengec
likewise. y he inuttered.
Sometimes man seems to become a
demon for awhile. This had happened
to Tom March. He had strangled his
conscience; no pang of remorse troubled
him. He simply longed for the night
when the awful deed might be accom-.
plished safely. 1t came ut last.
As he drove toward the theatre he
never swerVed from his purpose: aud
having sent in his message he sat on
the floor OF his cab watching The
audience come out, seeing the stat
trip into her carriage and drive away,
and one or two young actors emerge
iiplll 1ilt low ltoOr III Il6 SluS OF tllf
building, followed by the angry voice
OF the old guardian of the entrance,
who denounced them in no measured
terms for smoking within the build
ing; still Gertrude Murray fingered
and Toms tiendish purpose was never
stronger than at the moment wher
from within the building arose shril
cry of ''Fire fire! fire. -
Vfmo I,,nt, ia H,a,,aT ~
as they dashed out Of the building Z
stout woman repeated it in Shrek
some girls came screaming out.
Red tongues Of flames we're bursting
from lower window; the air was
black with smoke in an instant. Tho
old man who had scolded tile smoker
was dragged out by some boys. Thel
| some one cried:
"'Oh, good heaven! Miss Murray is
in her dressing room -
No, no, she went home early with
her friend,n said the old woman,
shrilly.
He isn't to come tonight, " answered
the girl "She spoke to me rs passed
told me to tell cabman who was
waiting that she'd be out soon. Oh.
she's rhere-there She pointed to
the spot where the flames were fiercest
She's in there burning to death. and
no one can save her Oh, the sweet
creature tho dear soul What fate -
Who shall comprehend the heart of
mani His possibilities for good or evil?
Tom March did not try to analyze his
feelings; he only knew that as those
words fell upon his ear, the cowardl,,
demon that possessed him, seemed f.
shrek and fly and brave spirit to
take its place. ~
He sprang to his feet With no .bo,,.,t, .