Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-08-11
him mad with Jealous rage; for she was
looking at the barrister with glances

him mad with Jealous rage; for she was
looking at the barrister with glances
that plainly spoke of her admiration:
they We're so close that their elbows
met. and when they bent over a shrub
they We're examining, Max was ready
TO swear that their faces touched.
This was uncomfortable. His first inn
pulse Was to fly down stairs and fling
Bysshe aside; his second was to hastily
pull out the drawers of his DRESSING
table until he found a revolver he had
bought as lad with some heroic inten-
ton of defending the house from burg
lars. The pistol was unloaded but ball
and cartridge were there, and to charge
the barrels WAS merely the work of a
moment. No sooner was this done.
than, acting on a sudden thought that
filled him with terror. he flung the re-
volNer into the drawer, which he
locked, and hurried from the room.
On reaching the grounds where he
had seen them, there was no trace of
Edith or Bysshe. nor could they be
found on the terrace or in the park
/ where he sought them; for the simple
reason that they were i'm the morning.
room with Lady Bysshe.
Before the family parted for the
night Godfrey Bysshe bade them good
bye, saying he should have TO leave by
the first train i'm the morning. AT this
announcement Max could hardly re-
,
now be clear for him to carry out The
desperate act on which he had resolved.
\ He rose early. and rs he was dress
ing saw Edith where she had stood the
previo.s evening With Bysshe. Max
hurried!y finished his toilet, and UNI
locking the drawer which held his re-
volvcr, put ii i'm his breast pocket A
couple of minutes later and he had
joined Edith, who was feeding n crowd
of sp,irows. robins and starlings that
fled at his approach.
You are UP carly" she said. With
friendly glance.
II couldn't rest an. night. was
thinking about YOU.
Her glance al him WAS full of quick
comprehension. 4 think must go in. =
She remarked suddenly.
Not until have spoken TO YOU UNI
iii have asked yot'--"
Don't, please don, ask me amy
thing. she implored.
II must" he answered, his voice
longer. You know [ love you. that L
have always loved YOU since we were
boy and girl" he added hoping this
reference TO their youth would touch
her. will YOU he my wife,
Her face flushed and then turned
deadly pale. OH why did you not
spare me, aud spare yourself this
pan9" she asked.
You don't love me
No: not as the woman should who
would be Your Wife.
Its because YOU love some ono else"
he said in II voice cholSed With rage.
The angry glare in his eyes and the
swollen veins i'm his forehead frightened
her. but she strove To hide he2 terror.
and drawing herself up said, You for
set YOURSELF
Look here" he s;.id abruptly, & asp
ing her wrist and speaking With II
SLOW delibcration that emphasized his
ealnestness; Il love you and will do
everything can do Ia make you happy
IL YOU marry me. If you don't promise
to do hat here and now. there will
be another tragedy i'm your house. /
swear ii. by
You wish to brighten me into n
PROMISE she gasned.
II mean what say he answered.
on; OF his poe ct.
She believed he meant 10 tcrrorize
her by Il threat to take her life. but
she would not crafty him by appearing
10 finch.
You are coward she replied con-
temptuously II don't care what you
call Inc. | want your answer"
She looked swiftly around for as
sstance, but not soul in sight. She
NOW felt assured of his intention to
shoot her
IL will be done before help can come
to YOU. VIII YOU marry me-" he all
most shouted. now beside himself with
rage and despair.
will you marry me- he asked
again, thrusting his face close TO hers.
No, no., she said, believing the
words would be her last.
She had scarcely spoken them when
she saw him snatch the revolver from
his pocket, turn it against his breast
and fire. Then his arms were flung
upward, he reeled, fell heavily on hla
back and remained motioness. The
breathless instant that followed seemed
long as eternity to her; she could not
cry out, but only gasp for breath. while
the whole world swung around her,
and she sank senseless beside him on
the ground