Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-08-20
CHAPTER VIII.
ATTEMPTED MURDER.

i,+or he stood facing Lord Duncan
- lbrarv. you have insulted my
daughter, grossly and outrageously' You
h,ve also dared to make libelous state
MS .,,l about the gentleman at whose
.,blc YOU have sat and whose wine you
have drunk tonight"
"pis table, His wine! you must be
o;4ber n mailman or fool to be so easily
,atcn in! This place Is no more that
,nan,s than it is yours or mine!"
IL Lord Berys kept himself under control
~ a will of iron Had he let himself
no would have struck the sncering
so,,.ard before him to the ground; but he
,,,oU. now that Duncan might be able to
s,rn;sb n clue to Estercourt's disappear
once and he meant to get 1t out OF him
g ,oss,nle. Once that was done, he could
-od,on with him for his infamous be-
bovior towards Viola at his will.
He had never liked Lord Duncan, but
.bo trne extent of his shameful character
he had not realized until now. A glance
had told him that he had drunk too much
+onioht as usual, and he saw that he
would not stop to weigh his words if
stirred to argument.
You say curious things" remarked
Rervs. with quiet scorn, but perhaps
Won are scarcely responsible; you"
oh. / know what l am saying" broke
in the other, unsteadily, "and you can
take It from me that the fellows an
arrant blackguard. He's a swindler, but
clever one III admit. It's not every
one who could have tricked the lawyers
and got himself into such position as
he nas"
Then you maintain that Estercourt
has no right to his dukedom-a danger
Gus statement to make, surely, Lord
Duncan?"
Il repeat it all the same!"
What are your proofs?"
You don't suppose l should give them
to YOU? No! | mean to wait till he
comes back. That is the moment | am
living for-tS tell him to his face. and see
him shrink and suffer in the sight of
those he has dared to make his friends"
What proof do you mean to bring?
Mere words will only result in a laugh.
Estercourt's position is too strong one
to be upset so easily"
OH l have proofs. Is not the word
of the man he bribed enough?''
The name of that man, Lord Dun
cam"
Lord Duncan shifted his gaze and
moved uneasiy There was something
in the earl's voice that warned him to
be careful.
That does not matter" he said, at
length.
''rhe name of that man." again re-
peated Lord Berys, sternly. ON Ester
courts absence, l stand here in his place;
You viii explain to me, as you would
need to explain to him. The name Of
the man whom you state he bribed?"
"Snythe."
He gave the reply sullenly. Lord
Etrys started.
"Well?" he asked
"Ohl look here" burst out Duncan,
angrily. "I'm not going to be cross exam
med by you. / refuse to answer any
more questionsi"
Il see. You refuse to involve yourself
further. l understand! l think | am
answered, Lord Duncan"
Duncan grew livid.
I'm so many words, you call me a
liar?" he said. between his teeth.
Il dol" replied Berys, shortly.
You will retract that"
Il will not. On the contrary. I repeat
it. You are liar and scoundrel. sir. y
Duncan took a step forward and raised
his hand, but it fell almost at once.
NO" he muttered. II will not forget
YOU are an old man. You shall answer
for these words in some other way. For
the present, bid you good evening, Lord
Berys"
The carl moved quickly and barred his
way.
You shall never leave this room until
Won have explained your insulting con
duct towards my daughter and your
Infamous statements against the duke"
Be CAREFUL" said Duncan, i'll low
voice; the man who threatens me must
needs be strong! Once again, | bid you
good evening"
Lord Beys stood with his back against
the door and faced him. The contrast
between the two men was remarkable
the one pale, but calm and determined,
the other red with rage that was fast
growing uncomfortable.
You shall bid me good evening when
You have made full and ample apology
Tor everything you have said and done
tonight
And if I refuse?"
If you refuse" said Lord Berys, still
very calm, Il will have you turned out
Of Estercourt tonight, like a dog"
Lord Duncan sprang at him, capable
OF restraining himself no longer The
carl put out his hand to ward off the at
tack, but in another second, he was
Wrestling in the younger mans hold
Upstairs, in her room, Lady Viola
paced up and down restlessly whilst she
awaited her fathers coming. Her recent
encounter with Lord Duncan had left her
Trembling all over, and altogether COM
lietely unnerved. 1t seemed to her like
Solne terrible nightmare now, and she
only wondered whether she would ever
cease to remember the sickening moment
when the coward had grasped her in his
arms. Her very soul rose up in revolt
against the deadly insult; even in her
own eyes she seemed polluted by that
hateful touch, and her cheeks burned
with shame that any man, let alone one
Nnom her father had received as an
equal, should have so far forgotten his
honor and pride.
be hoJ