The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-22
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upon her, and when Olive had nniHh.l
there were hundred signs which "a Z
Woman's eye would have Indicated M
deception.
BUT Olive calculated that Merridev
would be to tho full as excited as sht
was herself, md in the darkness thu
trlck might pass successfully.
Fortunately Mrs. Tlsley had bee.
wearing n shawl over her head. and
Olive put this on cunningly 40 az ia
conceal the greater part OF her face,
at this point her plans were changed.
The idea of her violent resiatance by
striking Merridew down had been re.
pugnant from the first and now shs
saw another way. She would keep
her weapon by her in case OF her ruse
bang detected. but would only use 1t
In the last extremity.
Her first thought In changing dresses
with Mrs. Tlsley had been merely to
increase the chances of catching Merri-
dew unawares, and so have a better
opportunity OF striking him down.
BUY now she saw n way that was
infinitely lesr distasteful. II her ruse
! succeeded and he was misled into mis-
| taking the two, she would let him
continue In that belief until they had
| left the house.
Again she set herself. to consider
what he would do when.he came and
found that his victim was now at his
mcrcyS Ha was powerful man and
quito capable OF carrying her unaided
the snort Sdistnnce to the mine shaft.
She would not be expected to follow,
as he would probably DO unwilling for
her to see the actual murder com.
mitted.
That would be her chance to leave
the house and fly. She had thus ev-
erything 20 gain by continuing the de-
ception SO long as possible.
With this thought to urge her. DIVA
set to work to do all she could to
lessen the chances OF Merrldew's dis.
covering that the insensible body wal
really that OF his accomplice.
In addition to the dress she had put
on the woman. she now pu: on her
| Jacket and hat and fastened q thicl
| veil over tho features.
| IL a question was asked about this,
| she could easily explain that as sh4
was supposed to be walking When she
fell down tho shaft. 1t was necessary
that she should have on her walking
| clothes.
This addition, especially the veil
rendered discovery infinitely less prob
able, and Olive held the lantern to this
prostrate figure and surveyed the re-
suit with great satisfaction.
Then another touch occurred to her
| She turned the lantern lower. until tid
fiirnt was so dim that any one unac.
| ci.stemed TO the dark would be scarce.
liy able to see anything at all by IT.
All was ready at last. But wheh
| Merridew did not come, the delay rem
dered Olive restless and uneasy. ~
might have told Mrs. Tisley to &c dow.
and tell him when all was right, aaa 10
| that case her absence might star. hit
| Suspicion.
| she spent few moments in addin:
TO her own disguise. holding the din
lantern mp to her scrap OF a mirror nj
| she adjusted the shawl so as to con-
lceaIs her features mast cffectually.
/ Then. the delay started yet a new
fear The woman might recover con.
seriousness. and all would be to do
over again, with it's terrible uncer-
tainty md possible failure. She might
| even have to have recourse TO the more
distastef;n course OF the sudden at
| tack upon Merridew. And at that she
Went and bent down over the woman,
listened - her breathing. felt her
pulse-feeble, fickering and uncertain
]-and i!fted her hand and watched It
fall naccid and helpless and nerveless.
below.
| A door was opened and heavy
thread came out into the passage.
How long are you going to be up
there's" called Merridew. with an oath.
Win a start of pleasure, Olive no.
| ticed that the voice was unsteady and
the speech was thick. He had been
the night. and had. drunk too much.
He would be the less likely to see
the trick she had played. and she
felt little thrill OF delight and en-
Encouragement.
With her weapon In her hand she
\ crossed to the door ana opening II
slightly, called. Ready now" with
voice as she could assume. seeking
to make her voice thick and stumbling
as with drink
what the DEVILS the matter With
4Iyou, you old fool?" cried Merridew. Il
suppose you're drunk again. as usual.
he muttered as he began to mount tbs
/ stairs.
Olive sat the lantern down by tho
ldoor and crossed to the bed. taking care
to stand well in the shadow.
/ Merridew came up, swearing to him.
4 self at the narrow stairway. and when
'lhe reached heavily against the door,
sent 1t Aging wide, open and stag
gerede clumsily into the room. Z.
"Hush!" whispered Olive.
- 10 X the QeNll WIKI your luSHiH6, y
he replied. Where are your"
4 Here"
rs 1T all right22''
Yes, Olive spoke in the same
whisper. SO that her voice was the moro
Enkely to pass unnoticed.
why the revil don't you have a
4 proper light?" he grumbled.
Next he picked up the lantern. held
1t liigl},over his head and crossed thu
room toward her. Then suddenly he
. stopped with a start and let out a.
4 sharp oath.
4 Would he recognize her? Her hngert
closed on the iron bar, and. ready ID
4 strike him down at tho first sign Of
recognition. she waited with baitet
breath for his next movement.
CHAPTER XXXvII.
Il NIurderf
\ When Merridew stopped SO suddenly
y In his approach to the bed by thu
!. side of which Olive stood in such
t |high-wrought suspense she believed
that he had noticed something which
J had reused his suspicion, and the sec'