The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-13
CHAPTER Iv.-Continued.

During the lest forty-eight hours Guy
Oscard had made the decision that life
without Millicent Chyne would not be
worth having. and III the hush OF the
great house he was pondering over this
new feature In his existence. Like all
v deliberate men, he was placidly san
u gaine Something in the life of n savage
sport that he had led had no doubt
taught him to rely upon his own nerve
and capacity moro than men do. 1t is til,
indoor atmosphere that tDntains thu
germ OF pessimism.
I'm His thoughts cannot have been disturb
Il ing, for presently his eyes closed and he
X appeared to be- slumbering. If it was
sleep, 1t was the light unconsciousness
of the traveller; for sound so small that
waking ears could scarce have heard 1t
4 caused him to lift his lashes cautiously.
4 It was the sound OF bare feet on carpet
Through his lashes Guy DISCARD saw
" his father standing on the hearth-rug
n within two yards OF him. There was
something strange, something unnatural
and disturbing, about the movements of
the man that made Guy keep quite still
watching him.
Upon the mantel-piece the medicine
bottles were arranged in row. and the
eccentric Oscard' was studying the la
bells with a feverlsh haste. One bottle
n blue one--borc two labels; the smaller
one, OF brilliant orange color with the
word Poison" in starting simplicity. He
II took this up and slowly drew the cork.
1T was liniment for neuralgia pains IN
an overwroughr head -belladonna. He
poured some into a 'hiediciDn- glass. care
fully measuring two 1tlble-spoonfuls.
5 Then Guy Oscard sprang up and
wrcnched the glass away from him.
throwing the contents into the fire, which.
hared up. Quick as thought, the bottle
was at the sick mans lips He was n
heavily built man with powerful limbs.
Guy seized his arm. closed with him, and
for a moment there was deadly strug-
gle. while the pungent odor OF the poison
filled the atmosphere. At last Guy fell
back on art; he tripped his father cleter-
ly. and they both rolled on the floor
The sick man still gripped the bottle,
but fa could not get it to his lips. He
poured some OF the stuff over his sons
face. but fortunately missed his eyes.
They struggled on the floor in the dim
flight. painting ard gasping. but speak
ing no word The strength Of the elder
man was unnatural--it frightened the
younger and stronger combatant
AT last Guy DISCARD got his knee on his
fathers neck, and bent his wrist back
tuntu he was forced to let go his hold on
1.-THE bottle.
Get back to bed" said the son. breath
lessly Get back to bed'
Thomas Oscard suddenly changed his |
tactics. He whned and cringed to his
own offspring. and begged him to give
him the bottle. lie dragged across the
floor on his knees-three thousand pounds
year on its knees TO Guy Oscard who
wanted that money because he knew tina,
he would never get Millecent Chyns with.
out 1t.
Get back TO bed" repeated Guy, stern
~. and at last the man crept suenly be-
tween the rumpled sheets.
GiIy put things straight In a simple,
manlike way, The Doctors instructions
were quite clear. II any sign of excite
rnent or mental unrest manifested itself.
the sleeping -draught contained In a small
bottle on the tnantel-p piece was TO be adj
HiHtstered at once, or the consequences
would be fatal. But Thomas DISCARD re-
fused to take II, He seemed determined
10 Kill himself The son stood over him