Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-05-31
CHAPTER Nj.

CHAPTER NJ.
I cannot tell how long | lay there.
between the fireplace and the high Oaken
seats which presented their carved backs
to the main portion of the room. What
at last reused me to consciousness again
I do not know. But | awokc suddenly,
as though from long sleep. with heavy
liddcd eyes already staring open.
| had been stabbed in the back! VINO
could have been my cncmyI Who had
| struck me? Would 1t ever be known!
Then began 10 wonder at the strange
/ condition in which | now lay. Hours
seemed to pass. Yet 1t may be that my
| torture was measured by moments. j
cannot tell but at length l heard the
sharp opening Of a door.
"Thank hcavcn!' said. mentally.
"Somc one has comc--one OF the SER
wants, pcrhaps-and will see me lying
here. I shall he got away from this
place"
! could sec no one but in an instant
heard Paula's voice speaking. She had
| come back again! Perhaps she had new
or gone at all.
1T was good of you to come with
me- she said. In a soft tone that yet did
not somehow ring true. II wanted him
TO tell you himself. 1t would have been
his wish as well as mine. but he Is not
here. All. am disappointed!'
lis there anything. then, that you
yourself would care to say to me. Miss
Wynnc. or shall l go, and wait till an.
other timer
1t was the Woman In Gray who spoke.
and I felt instinctiveiy that Paula meant
to lie to her.
mo. stay. IL you please muttered
Paula. shortly.
"Wcii. Miss wynne?"
II wish to tell you that my cousin,
Terence Darkmore. and I shall probably
renew our engagement. Ii We do, shall
we have your good wishcsT'
EYES,"
"And yet you schemcd to part us--you
did part us for weary months. You tried
to win his love away from me for your
self"
"Aiiss Wynnc. you insult mel"
~ insult yOu--.you! Why, you cannot
be insultcd! oh. II could only prove
half the things that suspect against
you. what triumph that would be for
mel"
A cry OF warning. In common human.
ity, rose choking to my lips. But they
were sealed: could not utter It.
prove thcm! she was repeating with
passionate emphasis. II will prove them
now! What do you think Mr.. Haynes
llaviland. the stcpsOn Of the old woman
murdered In this house. said to me: Let
me once tear Of that glove Of pearls she
wears. anu we should stand on equal
ground I will tear 1t of, C0nsuelO
Hope. nv you call yourself. ! will know
/. the secret OF the pearls. and cry It out
} to all the wOrld"'
"Stop!' said COnsuclo, with voice
that rang clear as bell. "rouch me ut
your peril! That glove upon my hand
means not 80 much u secret as q solemn
vow, and ! would give my life sooner
than II should bc torn away until my mis-
sion be- accomplished. Remember that
we are both women"
II remember nothing save that YOU
have stolen from me the love of the only
man In the world for me. 1t has been
, u trial of skill between us two before
now II IL t."
4 scream ended the sentence. I caught
the flash OF u glow. a janglc. The speaker
had swept over an alcohol lamp that
+ stood lighted on u little stand near The
} smoking table.
Shrek after shrek cut through the
: still air. Paula Ind been made aware
= Of her own peril. The rcd light moved
here and there. fitting over my eyes.
Q knew that the miserable girl had lost hel
presence OF mind. aud was running Il
= ana fro.
: Help! help! she was crying. In
moment more she had aimlessly rushed
= within my line OF vision. and. to my hor
q ror, ! saw that she was developed from
D head to foot In little writing flames. Sh'
t was retrcating from before the Woman
gray, VINO swiftly ioiiowed:
are 70" coming 10 XIII he' i""''
= sereu""'
mo. to save your replied the clear
y calm tones OF the other. For your life
Z stand still!''
There was whirl OF some large, darl
object, anu she had firmly envelopes
;. Paula In the folds OF great Indian rug
q "Lie down on the hoor and rol! your
SELF IN u. u Is your oh'y chance. IN
u voice was stern. anu compelled obedience
IT Is all OUT Cohsueio SAID at 'as'
u Ana there was strange quiVer In ne
voice. You are sa,e. are you III PAIN
uont KNOW. Everything ~ whirilh