Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-11-27
-9S3S&GG
CHAPTER WV


Kitty danced for little time, but was
too much agitated to enjoy the yalse, in
spite of the admirable partner Mr.. Van
deloup made. She stopped abruptly, and
insisted on Vandeloup taking her to the
conservatory
What for?" he asked, as they thread
ed their way through the crowded room.
rs it Important"
Very" she replied, looking straight ia
him; sit is essential to our comedy"
MY faith i' he murmured, as they en-
tered the fernery, this comedy is becom-
ing mOnotonous."
The fernery was a huge glass building
on one side of the ball room, filled with
Australian and New Zealand ferns, IT
having a large fountain in the center
sending up a sparkling jet of water, which
fell into the shallow stone basin filled
with water lilies and their pure white
flowers.
WELL" said Yandeloup amiably, as he
sank into a seat beside Kitty, what is
this great matter you wish to speak
abOutP'
MADAME Midas" retorted Kitty, look
ing straight at him.
n
CASTOR, closing his eyes, as he guessed
what was coming; go on, I'm all atten-
ton"
''You are going to find some way to di-
vorce me and marry her" said Miss Mar
churst, bending towards him and closing
her fan with a snap.
You don't say so? Who told you this
news-for news it is to me, l assure you. "
"Then it's not true?" added Kitty, Gag
erly, with kind of gasp.
I'm sure l don't know" he replied. Il
haven't asked her yet. Don't talk SO
loud, my dear it doesn't do to let every
one know your private business"
"Its private now" she said, in voice
of passion, but it will soon be public
enough"
Indeed which paper do you advertise
in?"
Listen to me, CASTOR" she said, tax
ing no notice of his sheer; you will
never marry Madame Midas; sooner than
that, l will reveal all and kill myself"
You forget" he said, gently; sit is
comedy, not tragedy, we play"
Having given Kitty over to the tender
care of Mrs. Rolleston, VandelOup went
down in his old place, commenced to re-
view the position.
If he could only stop Kitty's mouth in
some way-persuasion was thrown away
on her. If he could with safety get rid
of her he would. All that was an idea
He had some poison-if he could only
manage to give it to her, and thus remove
her from his path. 1t was a pity to Kill
her, so young and pretty, and yet his
safety demanded it; for if she told Mad
anne Midas all, it might lead to further
Inquiries, and NJ. Vandeloup we'll knew
his past life would not bear looking into
Well, if he had to get rid of her, the
sooner he did so the better, for even on
the next day she might tell all-he would
have to give her the poison that night
but how? that was the difficulty. he
could not dc it at this ball, as 1t would
be too apparent if she died-no-it would
have to be administered secretly when she
went home But then she would go to
Madame Midas room to see how she was,
and then would retire to her own room.
He knew where that was-just off Mrs
Villiers' room there were French win
dOws in both rooms-twO in Mrs. Vii
liers' and one in Kitty's. That was the
plan-they would be left open, as the
night was hot. Suppose he went down tC
st. Kilda, and got into the garden-ht
knew every inch of the way-then h'
could slip into the open window, and il
IL was not open he could use a diamond
ring TO cut the glass He had a diamond
ring he never wore, so if Kitty was dis
covered to be poisoned, and the glass cut
they would never suspect him, as he die
not wear rings ut all, and the evidence
Of a cut window would show a diamond
must have been used. Well, suppose h
got inside, Kitty would be asleep. and h
could put the poison into the water ca
raffe, or he could put it in a glass o
water and leave it standing. He nigh
get Barty to assist him.
When NJ Vandeloup had come to thi
conclusion he arose feeling a little uerv
Gus over the crime he was about to com
nit. He thought he would give Kitty on
last chance, so when she was nearly cloak
ed waiting with Mrs. Killer for the car
riage. he drew her aside.
you did not mean what you said TO
night" he whispered, looking searchingl
at her.
"Yes, did" she replied defantly; al
you push me to extremities you must tax
the consequences"
ut will be the worse for you" he said
threateningly, as the carriage drove up.
I'm not afraid of you" she retorted
struggling her shoulders, a trick she ha
learned from him; you have ruined m
life, but I'm not going to let you rui
Madame'S. Id sooner see her dead"
Remember 1 have warned you," b
said gravely, handing her to the carriage
"GOod nightw
Good night :" she answered, moclins
ly; Tomorrow" in n low voice, you vii
be astcliehed."
And tomorrow" he said To himself
as the carriage drove of, you will b
dead"