Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-08

JeCte0. margaret CapellA nau nrl1Jeu
apart from her husband almost as
soon as they reached England on her
return as man and wife. Capella,
miserable and disillusioned, buried
alive in country place-for such
must existence in Beechcroft mean
to man OF his incllnations
discovered startling contrast be-
tween his passionate and moody
spouse, and the bright, pleasant
hammered girl whose III fortune it
was to create discord between the in
mates Of the Hall.
This theory did not wholly exon
crate the Italian, but II explained
good deal. The barrister saw no
cause az yet to suspect Capella Of the
young baronet's murder. Were he
guilty of that CHASTITY crime, his mo-
tive must have been to secure for
himself the position he was now de-
liberately imperilling--all for a
girls pretty face.
The explanation would not suffice.
Brett had seen much that Is hidden
from public ken in the vagaries OF
y
man wholly bad. and at the same
time In full possession OF his senses.
To adopt the hasty judgment ar
rived at by Hume and Mrs. Eastman,
| Capella must be deemed capable OF
numbering his wife's brother, Of
bringing about the death OF his
wife after securing the reversion OF
her vast property TO himself, and OF
| falling in love with Helen--all in the
same breath. This species of Grimm
ality was only met with in lunatics.
! and Capella impressed the barrister
as an emotional parsonage, capable OF
supreme good as OF supreme evil, but
/ quite sane.
! The question 70 be solved was this:
Why did Capella and his wife quar-
rel in the first instance? Perhaps,
that way. light might come.
He asked a footman If Mrs. Ca
pella would receive him. The man
! glanced at his card
Eyes. sir" he said at once. Ma
dam gave instructions that if either
! You or Mr.. David called, YOU were to
be taken to her boudoir. where she
awaits You"
The room was evidently on the
first floor, for the servant led him
up the magnificent oak staircase that
climbed two sides OF the reception
hall.
But this was fated TO be day Of
Interruptions. The barrister. when
he reached the landing, was con-
fronted by the Italian.
"A word with you. Mr.. Brett"
was the stiff greeting given TO him.
Certainly. But | am going to
Mrs. Capella's room"
she can wait. She does not know
you are here James. remain outside
until MIR. Brett returns. Then con
duct him to your mistress"
Capella's tone admitted of no ar
gument. nor was it necessary to pro
test. Brett always liked people to
talk in the way they deemed best
suited to their own interests. With
out any eXpostulation, therefore, he
followed his limping host into lux
uriously furnished dressing room.
Capella closed the door, and placed
himself gently on a couch.
Does your friend fight?" he said
fixing his dark eyes. blazing with an
ger. intently on the other.
THAT is a matter on which your
opinion would probably be more val
liable than mine
Spare me your wit. You know well
what mean. viii he meet me on
the Continent and settle our quarrel
like a gentleman, not like hired
bravo"
What Quarrei?'
Mr. Brett, you are not SO stupid
David Hume, Notwithstanding hi!
past, may still be deemed man o.
honor In some respects. He treated
me grossly this morning. VIII h'
fight me. or must | treat him as 1
cur"
Brett, without invitation, seated
himself. He produced cigarette anC
lit 1t. adding greatly to Capellas irri
ta;ion by his provoking calmness.
Really" he said at last, 'yol
amuse me-"
Silence" he cried imperatively
when the Italian would have broker
into a torrent of expostulations
Listen to me, you vain fool
This method of address had the
rare merit of achieving its object
Capella was reduced TO a condition
of speechless rage.
You consider yourself thu ag
grieved person, l suppose" went or
the Englishman. subsding into
state Of contemptuous placidity
You neglect your wife. make love to
an honorable and pure-minfed girl
stoop to the use of unworthy taunts
and even criminal inuen'os, lose
such control Of your passion as to lay
sacrilegious hands upon Helen Lay
ton, and yet you resent the well-mer
tied punishment administered TO YOU
by her afflanced husband, Were !
surgeon, Mr.. Capella, might take
an anatomical interest in your brain
AS it Is, regard you as psycholos
ical study in latter day blackguard
, Ism. Do you understand me-
, Perfectly. You have not an
swered my question. Will Hume
nght?"
IL should say that nothing wouie
give him greater pleasure"
Then you will arrange this mat