The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-10-28
CHAPTER XNIii.

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Shroud, lies over wood and garden. Tom
Peyton is trcading with cautious steps
the upper part of the garden on his way
to the ruin.
Safely he makes his way to the Old
house. to get the letter he knows will
await him there Poor darling. what
will be in it? Further veSatiousf With
a desire to avoid all risks; lie elects to
enter by the back, where large rent
in the dilapidated walls will enable him
to squeeze through the room where the
letter from Griselda will be.
Voices decidedly, and in the next room
The speaker at this instant is Mr. By
sart. The second voice is strange to him
coarse, vulgar and dictatorial, and
very threatening.
The voices grow in wrath; the un-
known one being loud i'll vituperatiou.
And now. all suddenly as il were the
voices cease; there is a strained silence,
as if each man waits with drawn sword
for the others next word. and theu-a
sickcuina sound. \ dull. awful blow, rs
Of oak meeting flesh atid blood, a ghastly
groan, and ii-silence.
Great heaven! What h0s happened ?
Has he killed that old man? Peyton
springs forward, looks upon the inner
room, he stops short, as if shot to stare
aghast upon the scene before him.
Upon tho earthcn floor lies Il huge fs-
IRE, apparently dead. while standing over
il is Mr.. DySart. his face alight with ii
CHASTITY hope, his wild eyes cleaning. \
heavy oaken stick is in his hand. The
murderous budgeon is uplifted to COM
pl"te crime already bcgun-to finish his
work, TO make sure of the helpless vic
tim 1T his feet, when PeytOn, uttering a
loud CRY. PUSHES from the spot where
until now he lay concealed.
There is an instant's hush. strange
hush, and then a coiivulsivc shiver runs
through the old man. An ashen grayness
has risen from chin to brow. He filings
up his arms, for second or two, clutches
foolishly at the air, and then falls with
a duh thud across the body Of his ent any.
feyton runs through the garden, never
pausing or drawing breath until the
| house is reached. Knocking impatieutly
with his knuckles and receiving no an
swer, he so far gives way to the Hgi-
tation that is consuming him as to smash
a pane with stone. This brings ScatoD
| to the window III a minute or two, par
TALLY dressed.
1T is |, Dysart-Tom Peytou Come
out, come out quickly. Your father,
painting. rs hurts very ill.,
My father says Seaton. as if not
believing. But where-how?'
In the garden-up there in the old
ruin. Oh. hurry, man, hurry; YOU can
hear all afterwards
Seaton hardly dares 10 venture re-
mark, but, having with trembling fingers
clothed himself. follows Peyton out
| through the window IN the chill night
air, and soon the two young men are
tearing like hunted things through the
gardens to that fatal old ruin at the end
of them.
Here everything IS just as Peyton left
it. The old man lying dead, with more
peaceful expression on his face than had
ever been there while he ilved-the 9th
err the stranger, almost as motion!ess as
his enemy, save for FAINT quiyer Of the
lips and nostrils every now and then.
( Who was he? What had brought him
hereE feyton turns TO Seaton with these
questions on his lips, 1t is Imperative
that something about the stranger be DIS
coYered-and ut once
Hea'oh Is sun ho'uih2 ms Iathef podS
~ MS arms 'heNl'EeSSin'e srIel upon ms
! couA'eh"Hte, me on man Lau heen
Ste'"' n"'u, "esi 4u- '"3' oT' "e nau ioNeu
ms son Wen anu inc son hhe" IT, ie!-
ton touches MN lshtiy on the shoulder
Rouse yourself ne says. IN low
earnest zone. GU hho" lhis man
Mot at all never s"" nun De
iort.
" nat You can tell me nothing: oh-
think, bysart. says feyton' with IN
creaslng anxiety. If you know nothing
we ShaA scarcely be able to see how 10
I ACT, Exert your memory man
1t Is useless l swear l never saw