The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-19

and, oh. so sorroWful!
Tudor went quickly to the Ellery house. He
wished to make sure that Alice had departed, |
and entering by its side door, for Ann as well
as the ropemakers had gone to watch the
eInbarkat!on, he ran upstairs to Alice's room. |
Il was empty, but he stayed to see IL she had
| lett something that she might need. He
looked in the closet, and opened all the sbu-
reau drawers. There was nothing. and he
| turned to go. There stood Sotheran at the
! door.
| The grenadier captain had sent his men on
board their ship but had remained to seek
ono final word with Alice to give a threat
| that she should not forget-through separation
she should carry the fear Of him, and Of what
he could do to her brother
| Il came to see If could help he said. "Is
Alice gomez" &@-Is .vs.S
| YES" answered Tudor. ''It is time for US
as we'll: the Yankees will be in the town
soon." t" ,:
There Is haste, responded Sotheran.
TELL Alice shall see you both again."
"Of course said Tudor. "Shall We not
go?"
| Sotheran turned calmly to the door. He
was not afraid; Alice would not dare to brave
him. Eyes, let us co. he said.
Tudor stopped him with a hand held up.
There is some one in the house below" he
said. They heard heavy steps.
| Each had a thought of the ropemakers, and
loosened his sword There in the house, their
men away, they could be captured. Tudor
saw in flash how Alice needed him for the
voyage. He heard the steps begin to mount
the stairs, and saw Sotheran feeling for a
pistol.
There Is only one,' Sotheran said; 'but
he shall not get away"
The man appeared at the door. It was
Tabb, with his musket and accoutrements.
He looked upon his master and his eyes
lighted. He had seen and followed him, yet
the glance was of anger. Then he saw Tudor
and began to smile. The smile was strange.
'"Tabb.' said sotheran. II told you to go
aboard the ship"
Tabb planted his musket erect before him,
and looked across its muzzle at his master.
II went for Christine he said. He glanced
at Tudor.
'"Tabt, go!" commanded Sotheran.
, Tabb did not stir, but looked at his mas
ter again. she had drowned herself" he
said. >"It is your DOING -
Tudor shrank. The statement, so quietly
made, seemed horrible. "Christine-what
Christine?" he asked
Your sisters maid," said Tabb.
: "she?" demanded Tudor What have you
to do with her?''
"she loved me-" said Tabb "I-"
'"Ta'bb, go!" repeated Sotheran.
Tabb pointed at his master. 'T1e ordered
me to ruin her, he said.
"Tabb!'' warned Sotheran.
"He planned for himself said Tabb, his
voice growing louder, Ito ruin
y '"Tatb!" Sotherans voice was cold, and his
o eye was Pickering
HE planned to ruin your sister," cried
Tabb lone night here he tried
Tudor, staring with astonished eyes at Tabb,
Z saw at one side the pistol fash. The report
d was loud. Tabb, staggering, let fall his mus
ket and rlaaped his hand to his breast. But
he did not move his eyes from Tudor's face.
. There he saw his revenge; there, in the pale
and angry countenance, lay payment for his
r wrongs. ~ -:
g ''See, he shoots ms for it, he said. ''You
8 can know it is true, Captain Tudor. And
+ this, too, sir-he was the lieutenant who met
: her: in the woods, there beyond Detroit. II
was his servant I fetched the wine. Mr..
@ Ellery knows. +" -
g There was no warning of his coming death,
u no blood at his fingers or his lips; there was
II only the quiet, restrained voice, the paling
= cheek. But he toppled like an undermined
; pillar, and fell between the officers, his brass
cap rolling to the bed. Across his body they
70 looked at another.
my God!'' gasped Tudor. "You!"
Tudor did not ask for proof. There lay
p, Tabb, his life the payment for the secret.
= = And there with sneering lip, confronted him
u the finished villain, who saw no reason to
q resume the mask. sotheran smiled.
!. ''Well?" he said. .-> :- --
Tudor gazed with creeping adherence.
His crooked fingers, twitching lip, and start
ing eye, sheMedyth the intensity of his purpose
!, and loathiH such things possible?
- - What have sysu to say?" asked sotheran.
:. Tudor remembered Alice; she depended on
- him. And his nature, when the first surprise
had passed, turned him rather to grief than
:, anger. He felt weak at the shock-crushed
:. and not stung by the discovery. i He turned
to the door. = - .
b Henry" he said I'VE shall meet again. -
Sotheran measured the distance: he was
the nearer to the door. Tudor should never
| leave the room alive. : :
70 And this is your courage!" he SAID 8
s He knew how best, with disdainful mein,
d to drive the taunt home. Tudor flushed crin2
J. son, then compressed his lips -
u "You shall know my courage later" be
y said; and took second step. -.
II Sotheran strobe between him and the door
q and laid his hand upon his sword. :
l. why not now?" he asked. = j. ::
There was such scorn in it, such calm de-
II rision, that Tudor almost forgot. His hand
| flew to his hilt-then dropped, as he re-
y membered Alice.
'.You cannot save Alice" said Sotheran.
'' ~"Draw!" screamed Tudor, instantly. The
y blades rasped out and clashed.
= That was butchery scarcely to be de-
:, |, scribed, so mean 1t was and vile Yet Tudor,
u weak as he saw at first his hand turned
= against his friend, fought desperately and
we'll Wounded three times In I arm and
q shoulder. scratched in the neck, his forehead
dripping blood, again and again he flung him
Q Q self against the pitless point whose certainty
he knew. The eye beyond it glinted muir
y derously: not his was the skill to pass that
3 guard. Avoiding still the body of Tabb and
o the musket on the floor, to- stumble over
which meant death, Tudor yet felt his legs
X grow weak, his wrist and shoulder numb.
y Sparks of red danced in his eyes, his head
. was ringing, his brain was dull. The room
u went round. He heard the clatter OF his
:, sword upon the floor. and reeling against
the wall he knew that he stood helpless,
!. while sotheran poised his sword in front Of
% him. 20 :.
"So!' said Sotheran. s:-e>a
ID 1t was a voice of satisfaction, deliberate and
70 cold Tudor was sinking where he stood
=. sotheran measured him with his eye, chose
bis spot, and drove his sword through tht
man that had loved him. -
Tudor fell sideways. striking the candl
10 stand, and striking widely the pure whit
10 sheets OF writing paper that 1t held.
at But he was conscious, looking up with eye
that saw Sotheran wiped his sword upon tn
" bed curtains and looked at the bleeding man
ID ~ sail in your place" he said, ION tn
Elizabeth" .~s
Is He saw the fright on Tudor's face, the lip
I'd that struggled to cry aloud. - Tudor raises
himself upon his elbow, pointing with denun
E. ciatory hand. The action was curse. bu
no voice came. AS Tudor saw his enemy tur1
* to the door food Of blood rushed from nj