Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-11-22
CHAPTER TX

Is 1t, my pet? What can l do fol
your" said a sleepy voice, as Mollie
reused herself from the slumber into
which she had fallen by the side OF
the bed. 'Kittie. 1t is striking u by
the hall clock; l had no idea 1t was SO
late! / will go down to the drawing
room and get the cloves; we left them
there, and they may ease the pain a
little"
Kate sat up in bed, looking as mis-
cradle as child with teeth ache can
look, and Mollie slipped off for the
cloves, closing the door softly behind
her.
1t was Easter eve once more; not
balmy and soft like last time, but colo
and frosty, with a cruel east wind
bowling round the house. like the
night two years ago when Leonard
Barlowe had so mysteriously met his
death.
The months that had passed had
been full of trouble and anxiety to
Mollie L'Estrange, and she looked
paler and thinner; but the gray eyes
were as fearless and sweeter than ever,
for the trials had been bravely borne,
and If she could not quite love her
enemies, she had at least endeavored
to follow that splendid precept and re-
turn good for evil,
Henri had been away for some weeks
now; at first much to her relief, but
latterly she had almost wished him
back, for his mothers sake. Ever since
his departure she had seemed con-
sumed with restlessness, growing daily
more morose and gloomy, and break
ing into fits Of passion for the merest
trife. while she watched Mollie with
suspicious eyes, never allowing her to
see the Anstruthers, through whom
alone she could hear from Reggie, for
both knew that the ordinary post
would not be safe.
Stealing quietly down the dark
stairs, Mollie gained the drawingroom.
and, possessing herself of the bottle
OF cloves, was returning. when as she
got to the door she saw faint light
at the top OF the stairs.
Who was abroad in the house this
night of all others, when no servant
would stir alone, when they vowed that
the ghost OF Mr.. Barlowe walked in
his haunts and light had been seen
in his study?
Drawing back against the heavy
plush curtains In the hall, she watched
with beating heart as 1t came glimmer-
ing nearer, not exactly frightened, but
with a curious awe and dread, feel
ing that something was going to hap
pen. A moment later. and madame
a lamp In her hand, a strange, daEed
glitter in her great black eyes-swept
noiselessly past her and went straight
to the study.
The girls first thought was to steal
up stairs again. her next to creep
across the dark hall after madame, and
look in at the half-open door. and so,
sunthinkingly, she witnessed a sight
that froze the blood in her veins anG
that she never forgot. For had she
followed her first impulse and gone
upstairs, neither she nor Kate would
have been alive when daylight dawned
that Easter day. On such slight things
as this do great events hang!
Madame put the lamp on table
close by, and then stole with cat-like
step to the back of the chair before
the writing table. where the detectives
said that Mr.. Barlowe must have been
sitting asleep at the time Of the at
tack. Suddenly she raised her arms,
holding them as II she had some heavy
weapon in them, and went through the
motion twice of bringing it down with
terrific force on the back of some ones
head.
1t was awful to see her face as she
stood there, wild. fierce. watchful. her
features working convulsively as she
eyed the empty chair as IL it were oc-
the light dressing gown she wore, her
breath coming in heavy gasps. After
a minute she began muttering to her
self, and leaned over as II to examine
what was in the chair: then she went
to the tale and turned over the papers
in strai e. troubled manner, her eye
ever retu, ling to that empty chair.
1T Is O. what you deserve-what
you deserve" she muttered in harsh,
strained voice. addressing the chair.
you are a hard. bad man. begged
to you for mercy for my child-my
son, my beloved-and you only laugh
ed. What II he did forge your name.
II was not for much. You are rolling
In wealth-yorr wretched wife's money
and we are poor. and Henri is young
and extravagant. But you shall not
punish him. helped you In the past.