Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-02-11

WIN quick, Stea1tny
steps, she crossed the intervening
space, still lingering her cheek.
A man with flushed face and dishev-
eied dress sprawled, breathing mys-
Ierlousiy, on the sofa, beside him a
nan empty decanter She listened in
tently; not soul was stirring; the
clock on the mantelpiece pointed 10
close on 1870.
The household were asleep nm
above.
She took a slender little dagger
from the writing table-a toy of high
iy FURNISHED steel and jeweled handle,
intended for paper cutter-on the
blade was engraved a single word
the italian for Remembrance"
she tried the point on her finger.
then crossing to the drunken man. she
struck sharply twice, and flung it
away. A convulsive shudder ran
through him; he moaned feebly once
and then lay still, whilst she stood by
and watched with grave eyes.
She glanced at her glovcs-they
were not soiled. Then moving hur-
rledly but methodically, she arranged
the room-a chair overturned here. a
rug kicked up there. With deIibera.
ton she took up the massive silver
inkstand and laid it on its side so
that a sluggish black stream trickled
across the polished satinwood and
dripped Slowly to the floor. Finally
she disturbed few things on the man
telplece, and, taking the clock. turned
the hands backwards till they pointed
TO l2:45. Then she dropped it heavily
on the thick bearskin rug. 1t made no
noise, but the mechanism gave
faint click and stopped. Then she left
by the way she had come-the gar
den gate swinging idly behind her.
After walking a hundred yards or
so she saw cab and called it. Just
as she got in the first heavy drops of
the thunder storm fell splashing on
the pavement
She entered Lady Mallison's ball
room, looking radiant and charming,
within a few minutes of the half hour.
Her carriage was more erect than
ever. her laugh rang clearly and
sweetly, her eyes. unclouded with
trouble, dazzled those she danced
with.
Some little time afterwards the man
who had spoken to her earlier in the
evening approached. She beckoned to
him. You see," she said, gayly, Il
was right when l said au revoir. A
dance? Yes, you may have the next
My headache has gone. After. you
must feed me; | am famished."
She was at supper when a servant
in livery came dashing up to the Nal
lisons in a furiously driven hanson.
Mrs. Prothero?" he asked the foot
man at the door Il must see her al
once. please. Send message to her
It's of vital Importance
There was a minutes colloquy with
the butler, an exclamation of surprise,
and servant who knew her by sight
was dispatched to find her.
What is it? What on earth can the
man want?" she asked, as the servant.
having discovered her, delivered his
message incoherently. 81 suppose |
must go and see what it is myself"
No. don't do that" said her CON-
panion, rising; 'Tet me speak to the
fellow for you. I'll be back in min
ute.''
He left her. as she nodded with a
smile of thanks. and lifted her glass
to her lips with steady hand
In little he came hurrying back 10
her. pale and excited, forcing his way
towards her through the crowded
room.
Come out. please-eome out of
here at once" She trembled slightly.
and did as he babe.
Il have news for you-bad news"
he said, hoarsely. There has been
an accident; a. terrible thing has hap
pened. Your husband
'Ah!" II was q faint cry, but she
steadied herself at once. so that the
man marveled at her control, little
guessing the truth
If you will let me, will come with
you" said he. Il can save you trouble.
II will be easier for you
She assented in silence, and let him
lead her to a carriage.
The murder was seven days won
der. Openly. people sympathized with
her. When away from her. they
agreed AMONGST themselves that it
was the luckiest thing that could have
harpaned.
The police tried their utmost. but
not clew of any sort could they OBJ
tain. it was generally put forward
as q theory that some burglar or
tramp had found the garden gate ajar
1t was the intermittent banging Of
il that had reused one of the men
servants from his sleep, and so led to
the discovery of the crime-had slip
ped in, there had been a struggle. as
evidenced BY the disturbed state of
the room, and that he had snatched
up the knife which lay ready to his
hand, and struck. got frightened. and
hurried away. The hour of the deed
was the one definite point in the case: