Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-06-27
CHATTER X.

couch in our bedroom. I sat up and
passed my hand across my forehead, In
the endeavor to recall how 1t was that
had entered the room, and. without I'M.
dressing, chosen the couch instead Of the
bed.
"Have been sleeping long?" I asked.
II do not know. my dear" replied my
wife. "The opiatc you gave me last
night had such nm effect upon me that
could scarcely have stirred until open.
cd my eyes half an hour ago. When
saw You sleeping on the couch my idea
was that You would not come to bed for
fear Of disturbing me-"
THAT may have been my motive for
sleeping here; but 1t Is strange that II
should have gone clean out of my. mind"
ut has occurred before. Richard"
True; but this IL a new phase Of my
wretched sleep-walking."
Now. 1t II n singular fact that my
mind was also a blank as to the danger
which threatened us. l had no recollec.
ton. not only Of what had passed be.
tween me and my uncle on the previous
day. but even Of his being In the house.
mammal" 1t was Eunice's voice.
outside.
Come In, dear childw called my wife.
have been talking to her quite wisely"
III love be WISDOM" ! thought, as
Eunice entered the room. ut would count
for much. But love must work n miracle
In a stony heart before happiness can be
restored to me and mine"
kiss the clouds away from yOur faith
er's face, my child" said my wife, and
make him smile again"
LET be. let be-" l said, receiving and
returning Eunice's cares with GOODNESS.
I'VE will 70 down now, Richard
said my wife; you will join us present
Typ
Eyes. presently" I replied.
They left the room together. taking
some loose roses with them, and l pro.
cceded to make my toilet. It was soon
completed, and ] took my watch from
my pocket to ascertain the time. AS
put It back my fingers encountered Il
ring. ] took 1t out and gazed at 1t IN
dumb establishment; 1t was tho diamond
ring my uncle had placed upon his finger
on the first night of his arrival. by
what strange means had It come uncon
sciously into my possession?
shook my head angrily and impatient
~, and tried to think. My uncle had
not given me the ring. and could scarce
~ have taken 1t without his knowledge
But, with or without his knowledge,
must have taken 1t, for 1t lay In my
trembling hand. How did It come into
my pocket? Was l thief? 1t needed
but question like this to make my de-
spair complete. Little did suspect
what was yet to be revealed to me and
all of us. The stone In the ring was. AZ
have already stated. not large, and
could, at the utmost. have been worth
not more than twenty pounds. That
should have been guilty OF theft. and OF
a theft SO paltry. shocked and over
whelmed me.
What should do with the ring?
dared not show 1t to my wife; the
thoughts which 1t must inevitably have
inspired In her gentle breast would have
revealed to her base depth In my ma
ture which she did not believe me capa
BILE. had to see my uncle on this morn
ing, and l would take the opportunity
|. of slipping the ring somewhere In his
room, or of dropping 1t upon the floor
and thus avoid suspicion. So resolving
went down to my wife and daughter
with my guilty secret In my pocket
ready to my right hand
Mr.. Mortlock was with them at break
fast, and Mile. ROsalie. Mr.. Mortlocl
gave me 'g0od-morning," and with
hatred In my heart which. had | not hell
myself in moral and physical control
would have impelled me to strike him il
the face. ! returned the SALUTE, despis
ing myself the while for my contempt
BILE weakness ana lack of manhood. Mile
Resale raised her eyes shyly to m,
face, softly said woodworking, SIR" ant
then lowered them again. What was tn,
meaning of her shy, timid singular look
Did she know my secret? Or was it tina
! was In the mood to place extravagan
constructions upon the most insignificant
details of social intercourse? l chos,
the worse view, and. gazing with per
turbed looks ut them all, took my sea
at the table.
"You do not seem well this morning.
observed Mr.. Mortlock.
Again Mile. Resale raised her eye,
70 mine with the same strange look
again she lowered them Immediately.
II am quite well, Mr.. Mortlock,"
said, and In no courteous tone.
Have you seen Mr.. Fleetwood thil
morningr' asked Mile. Resale.
The question was not directed to any
one In particular, and my wife answered
no, that she had not seen him. Then
once more. Mile. Rosalie looked at me
And now IN her strange glances seemet
to detset hidden meaning which irri
tatsd end confused me, because I coul,
~ htsvsst Il