The Press., 1900-04-26

the library, and how 1t all happened
he hardly knew, but some way or other
he managed to dash into the dark par
lor, to throw open the window and
jump out.
He expected to fall at least eight or
ten feet. He did not fall two. He had
jumped out on a porch, evidently, for
he could see the railing in the moon
light. There was one thing to do-to
hide directly beneath the window in
the shadow and wait. He knew his
pursuer would be there in moment.
He knew there would be hue and cry.
Still, there was a chance.
True enough, the man came to the
window; but, to the infinite surprise of
Donaghue, he made no cutlery. He
heard the man utter half articulate
"Heaven! has it come to this?' He
heard him walk few steps and strike
a match. He saw the light of the gas
jets from the window, and then he
knew that he was safe, and he cursed
himself for a fool for leaving the
jewels behind.
He heard a woman's step in the
room. The man at the window turned.
"How dare you look me in the face?"
he cried. "How dare you come to me
after thisY'
Calmly the woman raised herself to
her feet and, looking at the man, said
in forced whisper:
'What do you meanW
"What do I mean? You know what
1 mean," answered the man. "He has
been here at last-perhaps not for the
first time. But have found it out.
have found you OUT
Donaghue heard little stifled moan
and the crash of body as it fell on the
floor. He began to gather crude idea
Of what it was all about. He had hand
some experiences with Maggie. He had
been jealous himself once. He raised
himself little higher and peered over
the sill of the window.
The woman was not moaning now,
but in dead faint, and, with her face
as white as the sheet that had covered
her In the room above, she lay motion
less at the feet of the man who accused
her.
The man stood over her with burning
cheeks and clinched hands.
"And the cur ran away from you?
He didn't even stay to fight me like a
man! He's coward. l knew it when
we met him in Baden. He's a villain
/ knew it when he followed us to Lon
don. He can take you now. l don't
want you. And some day he'll run
away from you, poor, beautiful, mis-
cradle fool, just as he has run away
from me-"
There was considerable human ma
ture in Donaghue, even though he did
make his living in a peculiar way.
This was little more than he could
stand. He jumped up and leaped back
| through the window.
Look here!' he shouted, and then
was suddenly silent, for a pair of
| strong hands were clasped about his
throat, and the heavy weight of the
larger man had borne him to the floor
in moment
"You, such being as you, my wife's
lover!' roared the man.
"Now screamed Donaghue, making
desperate effort to free himself.
"Well, who are your said the man.
''Let me sit up and I'll tell you," an
SWeTeu DOnaSnQe.
The man released him, still keeping
him within arms reach in the corner
OF the room. DOnaghue felt his throat
tenderly.
"Well?' said the man peremptorily.
I'm the man that was in the house."
said DOnaghue sullenly.
"What do you mean? Why were you
here? asked the man.
''WeL,' answered Donaghue, regain
ing some OF his customary bravado,
II wanted to add some of your jewelry
to my collection. See? If you don't
believe me, you'll find it where |
threw it away, up in your wife's
room"
The man turned and dropped to his
knees by the side of the PROSTATE
woman. He put his ear to her heart,
and when he raised his head again
Donaghue saw that there were tears
in his eyes.
'Thank God, she has only fainted,'
/ said the man. Bring me some water
from the library"
Donaghue brought the water in
solid silver pitcher that made him sigh
with vain wish that he had got away
with 1t and the jewels above.
"She will be all right in a moment"
said the man, land you may CO."
Thanks" said Donaghue nonchal-
antly, going toward the window
perhaps it Is l who ought to thank
you" said the man, 'for, after all, you
have proved that my wife is true to
me-"
Don't mention it," answered Dona-
ghue, as he disappeared-"at least not
to the police. chicago Herald.