St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-07-06

MS would De kept up sometimes foI
three hours, and then he would 90 to
bed and snore.
These proceedings beWildered Miss
Tubbs in trying to discover their
cause; but at last she arrived at the
conclusion that he must have commit
ted some great crime muTderl per-
hapsand his conscience was trou-
bling him.
Or perhaps he was a fugitive from
justice, and was afraid of being
caught, and, therefore, was going in
sane from fear and conscious guilt.
These suppositions only rendered
him more fascinating IN Miss Melin-
da's eyes. She sympathized with him
pitied him.
] suppose he has been cheated out
OF his property By some villain, " she
thought, sorrowfully, and on return
ing to his home to claim his birthright
found It held by usurper. He could
not substantiate bis claim, and, driven
to desperation, killed the usurperand
then fled, and is now living il seelu-
sion to evade the minions of justice"
Miss Melinda tried every means ii
her power to oYerhear Mr.. Mortimer's
soliloquies, 80 that she might obtain
some clew; but for long time her
efforts were unsuccessful. She failed
to make out what he was talking
about; but at last fortune favored her.
One afternoon about four o'clock
she was all alone, her mother being on
3 visit to a friend, the boarders, with
the exception Of Mr.. Edwin Morti-|
mer, being absent on their several
business duties; and Mr.. Mortimer
was IN his room, and Miss Tubbs was
IN the kitchen, kneading dough for
piecrust.
She was softly warbling to herself
some delightful melody when she was
startled by shout thateFidently pro-
seeded from the room occupied by the
boarder.
She listened intently, and presently
he shout was repeated with double
Figor.
What can that Be- p she asked her
elf, trembling, but at last curiosity
'yercame her fears, and, rejecting her
irst instinct, which was to rush out
nto the street and scream @Policep'
he erept upstairs quietly and lis
ened.
The door Of Mr.. Morti1ner's room
vas ajjar very slightly, thought So
he could see nothing, but could hear
cry plainly And this IS what she
leard:
( (
First a sigh, then a groan, followed
j heartrending sob Nj. Mortimer
acing the room hurriedl y meanwhile.
Miss Melinda held her breath and
Istened intently.
@0h, no, / eannotp cried Mr.. Nor
mer, IN a tone Of despair; g cannot
rive these visions from my mind |
hey haunt me night and day! Their
ale faces follow me everywhere, and /
cannet shut my eyes to the dreadful
ruthH'
Melinda listened, horror-struck. I
ardly able to keep from screaming
loud.
He is hauntedp she thought,
sarfully. He has committed some
reat crime. I knew it!'
Done in d moment of passion,
ontinued Mr.. Mortimer, in a sepul-
aral tone that curdled Melinda's
lood to hear, but how could I re-
ain, when he hoasted to my face Of
le triumph he had wen? I struck
im to my feet ike a dog, and now I
e him eyeryWherei / must rid my
i Of this specter. This bottle
Miss Melinda became frozen with
orror as she heard him draw the
,rk from bottle. He was going to
,mmit suieidel contains the med |
inc that candriye these visions from
= brain. Farewell, faIse-hearted
orld, farewell!a
Melinda gave ntferance to yell OF
arror and rushed into the room in
me to see Mr.. Mortimer standing be-
re the mirror, with his hair very
.ueh disheveled, and holding bottle
his hand. She promptly Knocked
le bottle out Of his hand and cried:
Don't Kill yourself. for M sakel' 4