The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-06-06

CHAPTER XIV.
CONTINUED.
ct works-it works." he thought.
I couldn't believe it if I hadn't heard
it and seen it for myself; but I must
get out of this; I dare not be seen
about here"
He fastened rapidly along the
street and did not pause for breath
till he had turned the corner into the
adjoining avenue. There he slowed
his steps and walked loiteringly
along for more THAI block, and
then turning about he walked slowly
back again toward the house into
which he had seen Van Tassel van-
ish. He now saw him come trem-
bling and tottering down the steps
again, confronted by a figure that
seemed fastening toward him. Stan
lev was several hundred yards away,
but he was sure that figure was
woman's and in the tall, slender shape
a something, strangely, subtly taml,
liar. struck on all his senses and sent
an electric thrill through and through
him, till the very tips of his fingers
throbbed in response to it.
He could not move, but he stood
there, watching, and he saw Van Tas-
sci seize the girls hands.
s'I may now touch you9" said Van
lassel, IN a voice hoarse and tremu-
Ious with excitement, but yet vibrant
with Joy and triumph and unutSerable
thankfulness. "My hands are clean.
Look! Lookl There is no blood on
them. One ray of light came to me,
and I prayed to God for help. Yes, I
cried upon Him to send some angel to
aid me, and He has sent you. Let me
90 with YOU. Let me follow you, to
the end of the earth. I will be your
servant, your slave; do not send me
away from you. Save me! Save mel'
Dolores answered gently: .
"Come with me, then. You shall
be my brother"
She would have drawn him for
ward, but Van Tassel whispered hur-
riedly:
"Not that way. He is there. Oh,
let me never see him again! Protect
me always!" :,
"This way, then," answered DOL
ores; and they walked away together
in the direction whence she had come.
But at the sight of them disappear
ing together. Stanley recovered from
the panic which had overtaken him.
He darted forward, and as he plunged
ahead like some wild animal after its
prey, he found himself face to, face
with q man who had also rushed down
the same steps by which Van Tassel
descended, and who was now, white
and furious, glaring about him from
side to side.
''The husband!' thought Stanley.
''That fool has done the deed, then,
and there will presently be hue-and-
cry after the murderer. Icannot pur-
sue him now. And why should I9
II he escapes 80 much the better"
He wheeled about and rushed in the
other direction, while Baron Won
Helmholtz, glaring after him, took
few steps in pursuit, then turned and
looked back at the vanishing figures
of Van Tassel and Dolores.
(Which of these men?" muttered the
jealous and infuriated husband.
"Where have I seen that handsome
villain, with the beauty Of Lucifer
and more than his wickedness. Ha-
it must be he! A former husband!
She wouldn't waste q look on the
other Fool that I am, I have lost
them bothr'
He returned to his house, and hav-
ing locked the street-door he sat down
heavily on the carved seat that stood
against the wall. With a groan he
glanced at crumpled paper which he
held in one hand, and then his gaze
wandered to slender, sharp-pointed
dagger which he held in the other. A
spasm as Of pain COZ tracted his heavy
features, "a lurid light burned in his
eyes, and he set his thick lips tight
and hard together; then with the
\ blade of O dagger he smoothed out the
\creases of the paper, and read once
}more words that were already scared
Unto his brain:
, "Be on your guard. You- wife is
aeceiving you. Her former husband
is not dead. He lives in this city,
and they have met more than once
ahd will meet again. Be warned. A
friend sends this message"
"'Her former husbandp" said Won
Helmholtz, grinding the words be-
cen his teeth. "He seeks my lifa,
the!p! All, we shall see! And the
dagger, no doubt, was for me. :"
H held it up and, turning it about
curiRusly, looked at it carefully from
the Aandle to the point; and presently
on thle cleaning steel he saw the let
ters Pf name. He started up and
heldtit close under the light of the
brillifnt hall-gas, and there he read
thess|tw0 words: Carlos Mendoza.
CHAPTER XYVT