The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-09-14

1 WAS I'LL 1uuutIGSluIdl llu6 WHICH, LuC
microscope revealed to be shred of
white silk. 1t startled him a little,
| until he reflected that it might have
been lodged there at some time pre-
| ceding the tragedy.
1t was still early next morning
| when McDermott entered the library
where he had seen ST. Alban precede
| him, but he was not prepared for the
sight of Miss Dillon also, and that in
describable, Ell, >tric presence in the
atmosphere which told him that he
had interrupted stormy scene be-
| tween them.
Il came to return your dagger" he
announced, sententiously.
"And it has told you no tales?" Fe-
| lix questioned, carelessly.
Miss Dillon shuddered, turned pale,
and hastily left them.
do you remain at st. Alban's?"
asked the detective.
Certainly; 1 have just arranged
| that matter with its mistress. l can't
| go away under cloud of suspicion. !"
McDermott would have given some
| thing at that moment to know how
he had arranged it. He was at loss
| to understand the precise nature OF
the sentiment which existed between
them-more at a loss as the days
went on, and he saw Miss Dillon
shrink at the casual touch of Felix's
hand, or watch him at times with an
di1qtin o.
her great dark eyes.
One morning-the days had worn
into weeks, and the late spring had
leaped as it were, into the fervid lap
of summer-she shrieked as his
hound, playing about her, made a
snap at her hand. In an instant St.
Adams face had darkened, he caught
the dog by the throat, there was
glitter in the sunshine as the dirk,
which he had taken fancy to wear
about him, descended, and then the
poor creature lay gasping his last
breath. and looking with riteous
glances into his masters face. Miss
Dillon sprung to her feet and walked
to his side, and for the moment it
seemed as if the woman and the man
had changed places, for it was ne
who blanched at sight of the red lie
blood squirting out as he Withdrew
the blade, and she who stood stern
and still.
Give it to me-" she demanded, and
pray Heaven that the curse may be re-
moved from you-that this may be the
only blood you will ever spill
He rallied with a laugh. Are you
superstitious, Honoria? Is that the
fear which has been troubling you
that I'll fulfill the prediction and save
myself by doing the killing? Is that
the reason you have been so perverse:
Pll give it to you on condition.
"Hush!" she uttered, sharply, and
both became aware that McDermott
was standing on the grass plot dozen
feet distant. He entered the parlor
by the window as she came in at the
door, some strong feeling struggling
for expression in his well-schooled
face
Miss Dillon,9 he asked, with per-
| feet abruptness, will you tell me just
what relation you bear to Felix st.
Alban?"
There is no reason why | should
not" a little flush tinging her clear
cheek. Il once promised to marry
him, but broke the engagement at Mr..
Leonard St. Adams desire. He was
very bitterly opposed to the match"
pardon me, | am not satisfied yet.
/ You are bound by no promise? there
is nothing now to prevent your renew
| ing it,
A flash of that passionate spirit,
which he had detected in her once or
twice looked at him out of Miss Dill
| Ions eyes.
THAT is what he says. He has CIV
en- me no peace since you have been
here, importuning it; but l will never,
never marry Felix st. Alban."
Then l can tell you why have
stayed, since the business which
brought me here has dwindled out OF
my hands. | had a desire to distln-
guish myself in my profession when
came, but it has been superseded
by more ambitious dream. Honorla,
may | tell you WHAT"
You may tell me-
What was it stilled the torrent of
hot words rushing to his lips She
! had laid aside, her warm mourning
that day for the first, and wore a
morning-robe of white alpaca that had
a vine of silk embroidery down the
front and on the sleeves. 1t was d
spark of something bright caught in
tendril of that embroidery on one
of the cuffs, and as she raised her
arm, darker spot underneath reveal
ed by the garnish morning sunlight
Startled by his look, her glance fol
| lowed where his was fixed, and she
exclaimed hastily that she had got
spot of the hounds blood on her dress.
But McDermott knew that dull, dark
stain had been dried and fixed by
time. What was it she had overheard
her maid saying to the housekeeper