Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-22

hope-of what?''
Mr. jeffrey could not answer. The words
which came from his lips were mere ejacu-
lattons.
IT was restless-mad-I found this adven-
ture diverting. I had no real purpose in
mind"
Not when you looked at the old pic
ture?"
The old picture7 What old picture?"
THE old picture in the southwest cham
Der. You took look at that. didn't your
Got up on chair on purpose to do sop
Mr.. jeffrey WINGED But he made a d.
rect reply.
Yes, gave look at that old picture;
got up. as you say, on a chair to do SO.
Wasn't that the freak Of an idle man.
wandering, he hardly knows why, from
room to room in an old and deserted
house?'
His tormentor did not answer Probably
his mind was on his next line of inquiry.
But Mr.. jeffrey did not take his silence
with the calmness he had shown prior to
the last attack. AS no word came from his
unwelcome guest. he paused in his rapid
pacing and. casting aside with one impul-
restraint, he cried out sharply:
why DO you ask me these questions in
tones OF such suspicion? Is 1t not plain
enough that my wife took her own life
under misapprehension of my state of
mind toward her. that you should feel 1t
necessary to rake up these personal mat
tiers, which, however interesting to the
"Ohio at idAS &C. dTS VI a palQIul nature TO
me?"
Mr.. jeffrey" retorted the other, with
a sudden grave assumption of dignity not
without its effect in case of such serious
import, I'VE do nothing without purpose
We ask these questions and show this in
terest because the charge of suicide which
has hitherto been made against your wife
Is not entirely sustained by the facts. At
least she was not alone when she took her
life Some one was in the house with
her."
It was startling to observe the effect of
this declaration upon him.
'1mpossible!" he cried out in a protest as
forcfble as it was agonized You are play-
Ing with my misery. She could have had
no one there; she would not There
not a man living before whom
less 1t was myself-unless 1t was my own
wretched. miserable SELF"
The remorseful whisper in which those
ma! words were uttered carried them to
my heart, which, for some strange and un-
accountable reason. had been gradually
turning toward this man. But my less
easily anected companion, seeing his oppor-
tunity and possibly considering that 1t was
this gentleman's right to know in what a
doubtful light he stood before the law. re-
marked, with as light touch of irony as
was possible:
You should know better than we in
whose presence she would choose to die
II she did so choose. Also, who would be
likely to tie the pistol to her wrist and
blow out the candle when the dreadful
deed was over"
The laugh which seemed to be the only
means of violent expression remaining to
this miserable man was kept down by some
amazing thought which seemed to paralyze
him. Without making any attempt to re-
flute a suggestion that fell just short of a
personal accusation he sank down in the
first chair he came to and became. as 1t
were. lost In the vision of that CHASTITY rib
bon tying and the solitary blowing out OF
the candle upon this scene OF mournful
death. Then with a struggling sense OF
having heard something which called for
answer. he rose blindly to his feet and
managed to let fall these words:
You are mistaken-no one was there, or
II any one was]t was not /. There is a
man In this city who can prove It,"
But when Mr.. jeffrey was asked to give
the name OF this man he showed confusion
and presently was obliged to admit that he
could neither recall his name nor remember