The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-03-26


surprise that dark. angry fiU3h was
growing upon his forehead, while his
usually calm eyes were lurid and blood
shot
+Let US so home at once. Arthur" And
as he spoke be arose from his seat.
Seeing that he was in no mood TO bear
questioning. followed him in silence.
and in a few minutes afterward we
were in our cab, being driven rapidly
toward che Astor House.
1t required but few words to explain
the cause of his sudden emotion.
'"She was in the house" he said, ''in
the parquet seats, with Delavau beside
her"
had been lHannathon's groomsnlan
ON the occasion of his i'll fated mar
riage Never did wedding bells chime
for nobler bridegroom, lovelier
bride. He was tall and dark, like
young Spanish hidalgo, and she, small
and eXQuisitely beautiful. a peerless
English girl; with face that came
nearer to my conception of an angels
than anything which | had ever before
seen in nature.
1t is not my intention to dwell upon
the painful and disgraceful details pre-
ceding and attending the divOrcement,
which took place in less than four
years after the marriage. Suffice it to
say that in Martin Delavau. an old
and trusted friend, Earl Hannathon
found the destroyer of his honor and
happiness.
A duel took place between them.
Earl escaped unhurt. but Delavau re-
ceived a wound which was thought at
first to be mortal. He recovered, how
ever. and in a short time after the
granting Of the divorce took himself
off to parts unknown. accompanied by
the partner Of his infamy. When in
formed of this flight. Earl was heard
to say: ~
II should have shot him down with
out mercy and thus have saved her
from further sin. Well. well. he has
escaped me once. Let him ever cross
my path, and will write myself MUIR
derer in his blood"
These words REQUIRED to me as wit
messed the smothered yet terrible wrath
with which he spoke of his wife's and
Deavau's presence in the theater.
foreboded evil. and ere I went to rest
that night my mind was fully made up
to rise early upon the following morn
ing, seek Delavau and warn him to
leave the city. This l should do not
from any kindly consideration toward
the villain or his paramour, but to
save my friend from the commission Of
crime.
Until the clock struck II Hannathon
walked the floor of our room, never
once looking toward me. but talking
aloud in one long, passionate strain.
He talked on until midnight, when |
succeeded in persuading him to seek
mis- couch. At l o'clock he had fallen
into a troubled sumber, and my last
remembrance as l, too. fell asleep was
that of hearing him muttering his dis
honored wife's name, coupled tiercely
with that of his false friend.
He had made no threats respecting
Delavau, but | felt assured that he
would do him harm, and so my afore-
said resolution was carried into effect
upon the ensuing morning.
found Deavau, as had anticipat-
ed. informed him of his danger in a
few brief, cutting words and advised
him to leave as speedily as possible,
which he assured me, with an attempt
at thanks, that he would do at once.
An unforeseen circumstance delayed
my return to the Astor until II o'clock.
| had left it at 6. l found that Earl
! had just risen and was making hasty
toilet.
took it in my hands.
1T is loaded" he said, with a strange
smile.
when did you load it?" l asked.
"a few minutes ago"
/ did not ask for whom he had in.
tended its contents. l knew that full
well.
Earl" said I, looking him steadily
in the eyes, you may be angry with
me now. but at some future day you
will thank me for what have done. l
have seen Delavau and warned him.
He is by this time many miles away
from New York.
A storm of curses burst from his lips,
but at II o'clock he had cooled down
sufficiently to eat bis late breakfast
with satisfaction and appetite.
1t is worthy of note that upon the
evening of this day he was presented
to the young girl who eventually be-
came his wife. Frightening his shadow