The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-04-13
THE SILVER BR0CADE.
Conkinned Lrom last l0eeA.


maryelously. she had resurrected
few yards OF cobwebby lace, remnant
of former grandeur. These she had
draped about her perfect shoulders,
rising white as marble from the
filmy meshes. She had no ornaments,
nor did her beauty require them.
When Gillette came In that evening
he gave a palpable start as the superb
woman rose TO greet him. He had
never dreamed she was so beautiful.
"Will you accept these?" he asked,
profforing her "A huge bunch OF Parma
violetu.
Mrs. Fanshaw took them with de-
light she inhaled their perfume with
ecstacy. Then she pinned them on her
breast.
Fanshaw watched this little scene
with lowering brOws, but offered no
objection 10 his wife's reception OF the
flowers Al he passed from the den
to the sllting room his wife managed
to whisper TO Gillette, "Do not play
tonight The cards are marked"
Come Gillette, we are waiting
Fanshaw called "A few moments later,
when all the men had taken their
places at the table.
ooh. yes-er-thanks old man" re.
piled Gillette airily, but I'm afraid III
have TO deny myself the pleasure to.
night. I've got an awful important en-
gagement, and only ran in to sec how
you are. Good night, fellows. Good
night, Mrs. Fanshaw."
He had bowed himself from the
room before Fanshaw realized that he
wag baked OF his prey. His face was
not good 10 see, as he said cOolly "Oh.
81, . ttff hnt IA
then
they were nll pOnc
Fanshaw turned the key In the door
and faced his wife.
The devil looked out Of his gloomy
eyes. He dcyoured her with his
Clancc-this radiant beautiful crca-
ture-his-an yet not hiB-so far
away and so far above him. At that
moment he knew not whether no
loved or hated her.
Suddenly he extinguished the gas.
The room was now I'm darkness, save
where the nickering fire from the
open crate played upon the rug whore
his wife stod like n white, cold statue
He came nearer. Then as he stood
before her he fercly tore the yiolets
from her breast and threw them on
inc HOOI' OH' ItBdlu'u MN WIN p"o
sive contempt.
you warned your lover" he said
hoarsely.
The woman raised her head proud
". Dick" she said, 81 object TO that
word. Mr.. Gillette has shown me only
kindness and civilty. He Is no lover"
why then, did you warn him? DO
you know. you babbling fool that he
4. A. Il 90 IgIl NTti
him here tonight, which, but for your
damnabe interference, would have
been miner
Dick" she said. and there was
plaintiff little note in her voice IL am
n degraded woman, but | have not fal.
len so low as that"
Fanshaw crouchcd like a panther
"Do YOU know" he whispered, that ]
ann going To kill you?'
She laughed. THAT is the best
news | have lcard for n long time"
she said, disdainfully. Il hope 1t Is
true"
The dying frolight touched her soft,
white bosom and showed him where
TO strike She trembled. screamed
once. then sank n limp, inert mass,
face downward on the floor.
Now the gamblers nerve forsook
him. The knife dropped from his
trembling fingers and ratified down
upon the hearth. At the sound his
heart lcaped to his throat. But the
woman did not stir.
He crept, sick and shuddcring, to
the buffet I'm the adjoining room and
pouIe out glass of brandy. Once
he looked back, fearfully, over his
shoulder and listened. But there was
no sound from the silent room beyond
The brandy revived him. He passed
from the dining-room into the hall.
Nothing would have induced him to
rc.entor that room. He took his coat
and hat from the rack and, hastily
orening the door, stepped out into the
brightly lighted hall of the apartment
house. and stepped out straight into
the arms Of Gillette and the stalwart
police captain OF the precinct who
lived on the top floor
Gillette had been worried over tho
look on Fanshaw's face when he had
left the fiat. He had hung about the
street all the evening and had heard
that one wild, piercing scream. Co
Ing hastily TO the station house, just
around the corner, he had contlded his
lcafS 10 Jnc captain, anu inc lNo udu
come together TO investigate. AS they
reached the top stair they were con-
fronted by n haggard, trembling man,
with shifty eyes and limp hands, vain.
ly trying TO thrust his shaking arms
into his overcoat.
When the captain forced Fanshaw
to the side of the inert heap of lace
and brocade. he snarled like n wild
H., Ia Co. ~
face-hcr very lips pressed close TO
huge cluster of Palma violets, slow
ly withering upon the blood-soaked
floor.-Edith Sessions Tupper, in y. Y.
Herald