The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-03
Classified Section.
The Woman II, the AlcoUe---By Katharine Green
Author Of "he Case THE Amethyst Box Etc

Grey's eyes; and tho no one could have,
detected any change In his look and
manner as he passed thru the room
where these two were standing, the
when he saw the eager scrutiny and
indescribable air of recognition with
which this long defrauded gentleman
eyed his own diamond.
He had meant to attack her openly,
seize. the diamond. fling it at Mr..
Grey's feet, and then kill himself. That
had been his plan. But when he found,
that nobody looked at him, and nobody
recognized the well-known millionaire
in the automaton-like figure with the
formally arranged whisker and sleekly-
combed hair, colder purposes inter
vened, and he asked himself if it would
not be possible to come upon her alone,
strike his blow, possess himself of the
before his identity could be discovered.
He loved life even without the charm
cast over It by this woman. It's strug-
giles and its shard-bought luxuries fas-
cinated him. If Mr.. Grey suspected
him, why, Mr.. Grey was English, ana
he q Sresourceful American. Tf il came
to an issue, the subtle American would
win: If Mr.. Grey were not able to point
| to the flaw which marked this diamond
as his own. And this, Fairbrother had
provided against, and would succeed
in if he could hold his passions in check
and ! be ready with all his wit when
matters reached q climax.
plans Of the quiet, attentive man who,
with his tray laden with coffee and
ices, came and went an unnoticed unit
| among twenty other units similarly
quiet and similarly attentive He
waited on lady after lady, and when.
on the reissuing Of Mr.. Durand from
the :alcoye,. he passed in there with his
tray and his two cups Of coffee, nobody
needed and nobody remembered.
l. 1t was all over in minute, and he
came out, still unnoted, and went tc
the supper room for more cups Of coffee
But that minute had set its seal on his
heart forever. She was sitting there
alone with her side to the entrance, sc
that he had to pass around in order tt
air she had Of remoteness from the
scene of which she was the glowins
center when she smiled, awed him ant
made his hand loosen little on the
slender stiletto he held close against
the bottom Of the tray. But such reso
luton does not easily yield, and hi
fingers soon frightened again, this TIM
with a deadly grip.
He had expected to meet the flash o.
dreaded doing 50 for fear it woult
attract his eye from her face and s.
cost him the sight Of that startle.
recognition which would give the de
| sired point to his revenge. But tn
tray, as he held it, shielded her brea.s
from view, and when he lowered it t.
, strike his blow, he thought of nothing
but aiming so truly as to need no sec
ond blow. He had had his experience
I in those old years in mining camp
| and he did not fear to fail in this
| What he did fear was her utterance O
some cry;-possibly his name. But sh
, was stunned with horror, and did no
shriek,--horror of him whose eyes sh
! met with her CLASSY and staring one
+ as he. slowly. drew forth the weapon.
. Why he drew it forth instead of leay
: ing it in her, breast he could not say
Possibly because it gave him his mi
! ment Of gloating revenge. But, whe
, in another instant, her hands flew VI
! and the tray tipped, and the china fel
9 the revulsion came, and his eyes opene
4 to the facts: That the instrument G
: death was still in his grasp and ths
8 the diamond, on whose possession h
9 counted, was gone from his wife
y breast. q ~
}, It was horrible moment. Voice
Q could be heard. approaching the alcov
:. laughing voices that in an instar