Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-01-19


ny had pointed out to us. Martigny
was already out of sight, and we
had need of haste. My head was in n
whirl. SO Frances Holiday was not
really the daughter of the dead million
aire! The thought compelled com
plete REIMBURSEMENT of my point of
view.
We had reached the beach again. and
we turned along it in the direction OF
the cliffs Ear ahead | saw man hur
rying in the same direction, could
guess at what agony and danger to
and we painted up it to the grassy
down which seemed to stretch for
miles and miles to the northward.
Right before us was a little wood, in
the midst of which l caught Il glimpse
Of a farmhouse
We ran toward it, through gate and
up the path to the door. Ii was closed,
but we heard from within mans eX
cited voice. a resonant voice which |
knew well. | tried the door. 1t yield
ed, and we stepped into the hall. The
voice came from the room ut the right.
1t was no time for hesitation. We
sprang to the door and entered.
Martgny was standing in the middle
of the floor. fairly foaming at the
mouth, shricking out commands and
imprecations Mt two women who cow
cred in the farther corner. The elder
I 4, oil No
my heart leaped as looked at her
was 1t Miss Holiday? No, yet strange
ly like.
He saw their startled eyes turn past
him to us and swung sharply round
For an instant he stood poised like a
serpent about to strike: then l saw his
eyes tx in frightful stare, his face
turned livid, and with strangled cry
he fell back and down. Together we
lifted him to the low window seat, pur-
suers and pursued alike loosened his
collar, chafed his hands, bathed his
temples, did everything we could think
Of doing, but he lay there staring at
the ceiling with clinched teeth. AT last
Royce bent and laiI his ear against his
breast
1T is no USE" he said. "IIe is dead"
/ looked to see them Vince under the
blow, but they did not The younger
woman went slowly to the window and
stood there sobbng quietly; the others
face lit up with positive blaze of joy
49," she exclaimed in that low, vi
brant voice so we'll remembered-"so
he is deadw
Royce gazed at her moment in as
constituent
''Mme AK he said at last, 'you
know our Grand
She bowed her head.
Il know it, monsieur" she answered
"But for him there would have been
all l can. Cecile," she called to the
woman at the window, go and bring
your sister to these gentlemen"
The younger woman dried her eyes
and left the room.
Celeste came in slowly, listlessly. IL
gave me shock to see the pallor of her
face. Then she glanced up and saw
Royce standing there. She drew ir
her breath with a quick gasp, a great
wave Of color swept over her cheeks;
and brow, great light sprang into her
eyes.
"Oh, Johny' she cried and swayed to-
ward him.
He had her in his arms, against his
heart, and the glad tears sprang to
my eyes as l looked at them.
And have come to take you away,
my love-" he was saying
"Oh, yes; take me away" she sobbed
She stopped, her eyes on the window
seat, where 1.-The other" lay, and the,
color died out of her cheeks again.
''He, at least, has paid the penalty z
said Royce.
She was sobbing helplessly upon his
shoulder, but as the moments passed
she grew more calm and at last stood
upright from him. The younger WON
an had come back into the room ano
was watching her curiously.
"Come, let us co." said the girl
But Royce held back.
There has been crime committed .
he said slowly. 1--WE must see that it
is punished"
"a crime? Oh, yes; but l forgive
them, dear
THE crime against yourself you may
forgive, but there was another crime
murder
There was no murderY' burst In
Cecile Alix. 81 swear it to you, mon
sieur. Do you understand"
l saw Miss Holiday vince at, the.
others voice, and Royce saw it too.
81 must get her to the inn," he said
"Stay and get the story, Lester. Then
we'll decide what it Is best to do"
He led her away, out of the house
ind down the path, not once looking
back. I watched them till the trees hid
theEl, and then turned to the women.
"Now," sai6l II shall be happy to-
hear the story"
ut was that man yonder who was
the cause Of it ALL" began the mother,
clasping her hands tightly in her lap
to keep them still. "Four years ago he
came from Paris here to spend the
summer-he was YER ill-his heart.
We had been living happily, my daugh-
ter and l, but for the one anxiety or
.er not marrying. He met her and
proposed marriage. He was YER good
he asked no dowry, and, besides, my
daughter was twenty-five years old
$50 Il