The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-02-09

in clouds. The villages ran by my side
like some moving panorama, and the
stars peeped out if the heavens. 1t was
Saturday night and l passed through
a busy town. The main street was
crowded, but flew by. A little child
rushed across the road, and my horse
trampled it under his hoofs. But l
could not stop. On! on!' whispered
the devil; what matters child's life?'
Presently, when I reached the open
country again, my horse stumbled and
fell. was thrown to the ground. My
horse was dying. wept, for loved
that mare. Muriel used to I've her,
too. How often had her daily hands
caressed her sleek and glossy coat! My
journey was ended, it seemed. But,
no; a horseman came riding needless
ly upon us, for the night was dark, and
stumbled over the form of my steed.
He was thrown. helped the beast to
it's feet again. mounted it and rode on.
1.-THE wind was rising, and presently
a spot or two of rain began to fall; the
sky became overcast. A storm? Per
haps so, and all the better, for was not
my heart stormy also? l crossed
stretch of moorland, and then the rain
began to pour. l rode on. Not star
shone now, the way was dark; the
wind howled, the thunder roared.
IA few more miles and was not yet
off the heath. Soaked to the skin,
mechanically saw the trees swaying in
the fierce wind and heard the branches
creaking and croaking to the tune of:
On! ont Now and again forked
lightning flashed through the leaden
sky, illuminating the sparkling rain
then all was black once more.
land then suddenly my horse slipped
Il had collided against some vehicle
which remained stationary in the road.
The force of the collision unseated me,
and l CROPPED around the covered car
rage like blind man feeling in the
dark, and then lighted upon the closed
door. We were in the very center of
the lonely heath, miles from any hab-
itation. Could it mean highway rob-
berry?
II tremblingly touched the handle OF
the carriage door. Who's that?' cried
a mans voice above the thunder. /
started and shivered. Merciful heaven!
the mani My body on fire, my eyes
burning as with fever, made no reply,
but peered in, and at that moment the
sky burst into brilliant radiance. /
started back-that pale, wan face in
the corner of the carriage which the
lightning had illumined-it was my
wife's!
'Muriel, Muriel!' shrieked.
'There was no answer.
"'Muriel, Muriel!' I shrieked again.
but still there was no response, and
the eyes of my darling remained steadi-
ly fixed into vacancy.
with passion that nearly tore me
asunder l cried out to the man, who.
seeming half-dazed, had the while been
gazing at her tenderly, clasping her
cold, lifeless hand.
"'You've killed her! You've killed
her!'
"He turned into fury at that.
GIVE not!' he cried. Iswear by God,
I've not! The lightning struck her an
hour ago!'
Its lie!' screamed, and my voice
seemed to pierce beyond the din of the
elements; and, gripping him by the
throat, dragged him from the carriage
and strangled him till he was dead!
'And that is all. l reverentiy COW
cred Muriel up and fled, but since then
the villains relatives have been on my
track. They say killed him-that I'm
mad. Dozens, scores of times they've
nearly had me, and-Hark, they're COM
ing now!,
Hurcombe, who during the recital
had remained spellbound, moved un-
easily in his chair.
81 hear nothing" he said at last; and
then, recovering himself, adroitly
turned to ring the electric bell. But the
visitor had prevented him.
Don't do that" he said, in voice so
calm that the actor-manager, aston
ished, looked up quickly.
The man was smiling quite naturally
and sanely.
"Mr. Hurcombe," he said, "as you've
repeatedly assured me, I'm perfectly
sane"
What" gasped the manager,
astounded at hearing his own name pro-
nounced.
I'm sane," repeated the man. 81
trust you'll excuse the trick I've played
upon you, trick brought about by
necessity and the urgency of my case
| An actor, I've been out of an engage
ment for months; and, hearing this
morning of the illness of two members
of your company, l determined would
either secure the engagement or end a
life of poverty off Waterloo bridge. All
day at the theater I've been trying to
get your ear, but no one would take up
my name. | looked too seedy, sup
pose. The thing was hopeless, and
walked toward the river; but the wa
ter looked SO cold. If you had only been
able to give me chance felt should
have proved success in the part, which
is not unlike the one I've been assuming
now. Desperation drives man to
strange things, and resolved upon a
bold course. An hour ago saw you
enter here, when by lucky circum-
stances you omitted to fasten the door
securely. The rest you know, sir. It's
an engagement want--not charity"
Edward Hurcombe grasped the stu
alton at once, and his eyes were dim,
for he was man of warm sympathies.
MY boy" he said, rising and taking
the others hand, you've solved the
very problem | was considering when
you SO unceremoniously entered. The
parts yours, and good luck go with il. !"