The Forrest City times., 1899-06-30

s,' sna.ihg sound, followed by a stifled cry 'ilehce. Then there were two or ,brso inut'ered oaths, and silence again.
 The young couple shuddered Uh.. eoulu It mean? Leon tried to reassure ms trembling companion, but he was interrupted by the cautious opening of 'he next door. 1t was softly closed asain' ana then slew and apparently careful footsteps were heard in the hali Ahey were lost in the distance. They ceased. Again all was still.
 soon the young bride was slcepinp calmly. But not so Leon. Despite him. seI' the sinister face of the Enrl;sh- man nephew returned to his recollec. .ioh' lhere was hatred, he thought. in 'he glance cast upon the uncle bv inc young man when he left him; and then the roll of bank notes in the yalise And the dull, heavy sound but now. like the Tall of a body upon the floor-the cry-the curses. Such was the train of thought that ran through Leon's mind
 Mechanically he fixed his eyes upon the door which communicated with inc Ehglishman' room. There was little space between the bottom of the door and the flooring. By tke dim light fall. ing from the partially turncd-down gas. ne could see something forcing it's way under the door. It seemed, at first like that of knife blade, for the edge was thin, and reflected back the light. Ii moved slowly toward little blue satin slipper, which had been thrown care. lessly near the door.
 What can it be?" thought Leon. "Iz it knife? No, for it has divided into two parts. And now it divides again. and yet again. What can it be? It is some liquid
 The thing slowly crawled toward the little blue slipper. It encircled it's heel. It stained its front. It was a liquid. It was liquid of strange and unmistaka. ble color-the color of blood.
 For long time Leon lay and gazed upon the stained slipper and the red
 ash stream which encircled it. He pictured to himself the corpse lying in the next room; its discovery the follow ing morning; the door opening into the room, of which the bolts were on his side; the blood-stained slipper. These things passed through his mind, and cold sweat started out upon him. He attempted to rise and hide the slipper; as he did so his wife awoke and started with alright as she felt his icy hand.
 What is the matter?" she cried.
 Leon explained to her the terrible situation in which they were placed. He arose and attempted to remove the teN-tale stains from the slipper, but il was useless.
 Day was breaking. Already the serv. ants were moving around the hotel. In few hours the crime would be dis. covered and the officers of the law would be upon them.
 "Alas!" said Leon, "our only hope is this: At eight o'clock the train leaves for Paris. If the Englishman's body is not discovered before that time we are safe. We will take the train and lose ourselves in the great city. There we shall be safe"
 His weeping bride flung herself upon his bosom. She felt almost as though she had committed the deed. But there yet remained two mortal hours before the train left. At each step in the corridor they trembled with alright. They made their prepara- tions for departure. Leon's bride wished to burn the bloody slipper, but he restrained her and concealed it on his person.
 Seven o'clock sounded. The hotel was alive with bustling servants. Leon forced his wife to take cup of coffee, although she declared that her parched throat refused to swallow. They then descended into the waiting-room, and Leon demanded his bill. The host pre- sented it, and begged his pardon for the noise of the previous evening. leon assured him that they had passed very quiet night.
 Well, I'm glad of it." said the host; however, your neighbor on the left didn't disturb you much, I'll be bound He's sleeping like dead man yet" Leon shuddered. His wife grasped his arm convulsiyely.
 He's an English milord," continued the host. We've got another English man here, too, who paid his bill and left this morning. He gave me an Eng fish bank note. hope it's good. Look at it. What do you think?" He showed Leon bank note. On one corner of it there was a reddish stain. 1t seems to be a good one," said Leon, with forced calmness. "Eow long before the train goes?' Half an hour yet" replied the host. At this moment waiter entered. Gimme some brandy and soda, quick, for the English milord," he remarked, "and send up chambermaid with a mop; he dropped a bottle of port on the floor last night, and the room is flooded"
 To the amazement of both landlord and waiter, Leon and his wife sat down and laughed until they cried. ''Order us good breakfast" said he to the landlord; we won't go until the f,xo o,clocl- train o--AdaDted for the