Middletown transcript., 1905-03-25

STAYED in America ]! he ADDED DoyisHy.
sIf | had had any idea that this place
was in this condition / would never have
come. It wants thousands to put it in
order, and you tell me that 1 shall not
have five hundred a year. OF course,
Lady Verriker has a right to do as she
pleases with her own money, though |
don't include heirlooms but | must con-
fess that am disappointed that she has
not seen fit to keep the place liabitable. "
| could feel her tremble violently, and
| could bear it no longer.
II must speak Y l exclaimed impetu-
ously. II cannot allow Lady Verriker to
he blamed for what she cannot help.
Owing to circumstances which ] do not
know, Lady Verriker has married again,
and"
But got no farther. NV voice was
drowned in the chorus which my words
evoked. Mr.. HulPs shrill tones rose
above the rest.
"Married again !" Then he turned to
the young man. "Sir Reginald, you lose
all the money now. In the event Of
Lady Vcrriker having no children and
making second marriage, all the money
which had been at Sir Jasper's disposal
becomes her own entirely, according to
her fathers will. The Verrikers would
lose all interest in it.
The Baronet turned, evidently to make
some inquiry; but at that moment the
door opened and Sir Adam Gordon en-
tered the room, followed by Nigel and
another man. My great establishment
and sense Of Joy and relief found utter
ance in a cry but Sir Adam took no
notice of me. He strobe to Lady Verri-
kers side, and looked down at her with
tender eyes which were filled with the
deepest pity.
"My poor girl Ny poor little lassie r
he said softly. He turned to the others.
and nodded curtly to the lawyer. s'Gen-
tlemen, do not know on what business
you are here" lie said. "Mine is"
But he got no further. l had been
standing facing the window with the
view of the lake and the wood beyond.
AS Sir Adam was speaking l saw figure
that seemed strangely familiar creeping
| along under the trees. clutched Nigel's
arm and pointed with trembling finger.
They all turned and watched the fugi-
| tive figure as it crept slowly and stealthily
into the shelter of the wood. Sir Adams
voice died away. No one seemed to be
able to stir. We were fascinated, spell
bound, by the strange movements Of the
man, when suddenly second figure
| leaped out from amongst the under
growth, and we saw the long blade OF a
knife flash in the sunshine. The next
moment it was buried in the fugitive's
back. The man fell forward heavily, but
no sound broke the stiffness, nor did the
murderer move at once. So sudden, SO
startling had the whole incident been
that it was not until the assassin had
disappeared again, that any of us realized
what had happened. Then Nigel and
Sir Reginald dashed through the window
and ran down the garden, while we all
| followed as best we could
The men were gathered round the still
outstretched body when Lady Verriker
and | reached the spot, and Sir Adam put
out his arms as barrier to us.
keep back, Kitty" he said softly.
1T is no sight for YOU"
She shook her head wildly.
"Adam, is it he ?" she gasped and as
she read the answer in his face, she flung
up her arms with curious air of sudden
freedom, and then dropped senseless into
bis arms.
When caught glimpse Of the long
thin form | uttered cry Of amazement.
A white wig had half fallen from the
head, and disclosed fair hair beneath,
while the bushy eyebrows and the thick
brown stain and drawn lines made the
stiff dead face grotesque.
nigel" | gasped, 1T is Signor Ser
gall Y
But ne drew me gently away.
mo, dear" he said softly-''he was
Sir Jasper Verriker."
CHAPTER TX
1t was not until many days afterwards
that | learned the whole truth Of the
mystery which had surrounded Lady
Verriker. The body Of the man whom
had known as Sergali was carried back
to the house. Life was quite extinct.
The long thin Italian dagger, driven by
steady hand that was prompted by cool
determined brain, had pierced him to
the heart ! saw that dagger only once
again; but | noticed then that it had
engraved on the blade the words, "The
reward OF traitor to the cause
The cool cynical smile still fingered on
Sir Jasper Verriker's features. He was
an older man than | had fancied when
had seen him in Lady Verriker's room
but he looked many years younger than
be was. The funeral was very quiet
one, and only Sir Adam, Nigel and the
new Baronet followed wild yerriker' TO
his last resting place.
For the next few days the Court was
alive with keen-faced men of business,
who had long interviews with Sir Adam
Gordon. But our thoughts W IRE centred
III Lady Eerriker, who was dangerously
III. Her overweight system had given
way, and for days she battled deliriously
for her life. 1t was awful to listen to
her, but | dared not leave her even when
my father had arrived and had placed
two trained nurses in charge.
1t was only from her incoherent rawlings
that ! really gauged the depths Of her
suffering during her married life and her
supposed Midowhood. Size was by
nature sensitive, spirited, and
extremely refined woman, ana she had
been subjected to mart, dom intensely
degrading and shameful tn a nerson III