Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-04
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said, land you have come now for the fin
ishing tOuch-the beautiful pearls. But
what Is this, my dear? Why should you
spoil your white neck with anything so In
coEEruOus? Let me remove It,.
She put up her hand to her neck, thus
covering the crimson cross. Then her WHO
eyes met Vandeleur's. She seemed to recog-
nize his presence for the first time.
you can safely remove it, he said to
her. speaking in a semi-whisper.
Rowland gave him an astonished glance.
His look seemed to say, Leave us, Dut
Vandeieur did not move.
I'VE must see this thing OUT he said to
me.
Meanwhile Rowland's arm encircled An
tomas neck and his hand sought for the
clasp of the narrow gold thread that held
the cross in place.
"One moment" said Antonio.
She stepped back a pace. the trembling IN
her voice left it, it gathered strength, her
fear gave way to dignity. This was the
hour of her deepest humiliation and YET
she looked noble.
sMy dearest" she said, my kindest and
best of friends. had yielded to tempta.
ton, terror made me weak. the dread OF
losing you unnerved me, but won't come
to you charged with sin on my con-
science; won't conceal anything from
YOU I know you won't wish me now 70
become your wife; nevertheless, you shall
know the truth.
What do you mean, Antonio? What
do your strange words s1gniry! are you
mad?' said George Rowland
mo, I wish l were, but l am no mate
for you; cannot bring dishonor to your
honor. Madame said it could be hidden
that this she touched che sns 70 cl nsy-
yes, to pay shameful price. l consented,
for the terror was so cruel. But II came
here and looked into your face and couio
not do it. Madame shall have her red
blood cross back and you shall know all
You shall see"
with a fierce gesture she tore the cross
| from her neck and flung it on the floor.
1.-The pearls for this, she cried; the
pearls were the price; but would rather
light and you will see for yourself"
Rowland's face wore an expression I'M
possible to fathom The red cross lay on
the floor: Antonia's eyes were fixed on his
She was no child to be humored; she was a
woman and despair was driving her wild
When she said, Take me up to the bright
est light" he took her hand without a
word and led her to where the full rays
of a powerful electric light turned the
place into day.
Look" cried Antonio, look! Madame
wrote it here-here."
She pointed to her throat.
1.-The words are hidden, but this light
will soon cause them to appear You Will
see for yourself you will know the truth.
At last you will understand who l really
am.
There was silence for a few minutes. An
tonia kept pointing to her neck. Rowland
eyes were fixed upon IT. AFTER DreatnleSs
period of agony, Vandeleur stepped for
ward.
Miss Antonia,'' he cried, you have suf-
fered enough I am in position TO re-
lieve your terrors You little guessed, Row
land, that for the last few days l have
taken an extreme liberty with regard to
you. have been in your house simply and
solely in the exercise of my professional
qualities in the exercise of my manifest
duties came across CHASTITY secret. Miss
Antonio was to be subjected to cruel or
DEAL Nine. Sara, for reasons of her own,
had invented one of the most fiendish plots
1t has ever been my unhappy lot to come
across But have been in time. Miss An
tonia you need fear nothing. Listen! L
have saved you. The nurse whom madame
believed to be devoted to her service con-
sidered it best for prudential reasons to
transfer herself to me. Under my direc-
lions she bathed your neck today with a
preparation of cyanide of potassium. You
do not know what that is, but 1t is a chem1-
cal preparation which neutraliZes the eff
feet of what that horrible woman has done.
You have nothing to fear-your secret lies
buried beneath your white skim
But what is the mystery?" said Row
land. Your actions, Antonio, and your