The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-16
THE ACE OF sPADEs=e
1t wouldn't harm you. Oh. do listen,

madam. But give me your word you viii
not tell my secret to anyone You won't lis
ten for Angela did not speak-"you won
llsten?" He threw himself on the ground. ant
grovelled at her feet Have mercy on me!
and he folded his hands together supplicat-
lngly. 1T will not harm you to let me un
burden my conscience. oh with wall OF
genuine despair; "let me tell your!
Very we'll. you can tell me- said Angela
kindly, for she was sorry for. the man.
You will keep my confidence, nliss-mad
ann"
WELL" smithers rose to his feet and stood
before her, beginning to speak in a low, i'm
pressive tone; Il was valet to Lord Wldhay
your father, Miss Wildhay, and went dowr
with him to Wildhay Manor last time hi
was there
Then you were with him when he died? p
said Angela. bending forward and listening
with interest.
mot exactly I didn't see him expire
miss; but I saw who did it," in an awful
ceep voice.
did what?" asked Angela, with puzzled
look.
That is it; did what? Why murder Mis-
groaned.
Murder-I-I don't understand"
He shook his head sadly. taking no notice
of her interruption.
Yes! murder, Miss Wildhay!'
What do you mean?' You-you don't NEAR
that my father-tkal my father was murder
ed 90 she gasped, painfully. trembling in every
nerve with the shock, for somehow she knew
it was true
alas yes, do, Miss Wildhay. Ask any
one. The country master-he was there
too"
Murdered! My father! And who
who"
Her voice failed completely, but her hor
ror-struck face looked the question she could
not ask
"Ah! that's what I'm coming to-" sale
Smithers. Il saw it done, miss, and the mar
who did it is the man who owns all this,
waving his hand round-"Mr Alured Bel
lairs."
"Never-never!" She fell back again, hel
tortured heart swooning within her, but the
terrible consciousness rackng every nerve
and keeping her horribly alive to her pain
Never! never! Oh, never!'
But the valet went on, unheeding:
L was walking through the garden, anG
saw Mr.. Bellairs come in from the draw.
ing-room, and go in to where my master was
My lord looked round, and spoke word OF
two; couldn't hear. Mr.. Belairs took w
the ace of spades, and showed it to him. oh
them ID cards! he said-begging YOU
pardon for the word, Miss Wildhay-and ther
before you could have said anything, he took
up a dagger and drove it deep into his vic.
TINS heart.
Angela was wailing aloud, for her pain OF
heart forced low cries of torment from her.
You II find a lot about it in the papers OF
that time, see miss. I'll show 'em to you
and Smither put a packet on her knee Csc
you'll see it's truth, though they didn't know
it was Mr.. Bellairs But the count knows it
and now me and you and Mr.. Bellairs. I fee
a bit easier now I've told you, for I thought
considering what I've been hearing of Mr
Bellairs intentions, it was my duty to speak
You'll excuse me, and keeping my confidence
Miss Wfldhay. Madam, the counts coming
You can ask him, but no one else, and Tn
grieved to pain you, but duty must be done
and my lord wasn't a hard master to me.
and the valet left her as Count Solski came
in sight.
when the count approached her she was I'M
able to speak, but lifted her eyes with an
Immense yearning in them for she knew he
loved her, and her stricken heart turned
blindly, wildly, anywhere to get relief
His face quivered-he seemed about to
sreak-but catching sight Of Smithers' re-
treating figure, a look Of awful anger came
into his face.
Turning lightly down one Of the hedges he
intercepted the valet.
What have you been saying to Miss Wild
hay?" he Kissed fiercely into his ear, catch
ing him roughly by the arm.
The valet wriggled, but the counts hold
was too firm to shake off.
Il told her her father was murdered" he
muttered.
by whom?"
I There was ominous look in the counts
eyes, and Smithers shook, fascinated before
it, for he thought his master would strange
him there and then.
by Mr.. Bellairs. SIR
The counts fingers relaxed their grip. He
fell back a few steps, wrapped in gloomy
thought. Then he sighed with relief
you can go, Smithers," the count said
quietly, and the man fastened to avail him
self Of the permission, thankful to have es-
capped with his life.
Count Solski returned to Angela, and
kneeling before her. took hold of one Of the
ribbons Of her gown, and stroked it tenderly
an immense power of self-control keeping
him from taking her bodily into his arms and
kissing her quivering, grief pale face into