The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-05-17

horror crept over me, and made AIDE me me cry
aloud and curse the day that was born.
CHAPTER y.
Startling News.
closed the letter-that letter which was
like message from the dead. For time
as l stood staring blankly from the window,
out upon the moonlit beach, l was conscious
At that moment. could by stretching out
my hand-have brought Paul Ernsclife back
to life, l would not have done it. NO, not
even to avert after consequences The letter
with its CHASTITY contents, laid upon the
bed of Goals in the CRATE before me, and
noticed 1t shrivel and burn and fall into
- All, surely in no human creatures breast dld
a sadder heart lie like stone than In mine
that night. Outside 1t was a. dream annu OF
pale, slim crescent, cast a silvery light upon
the white shells Of the. beach, weird light
that made a sort of calmness creep over my
aroused myself from long and pro,
found reverie. I must lift this burden ana an
straight before me-on to the bitter end,
must walk it. thought Of Esme, ana ga
great wave Of anguish rolled ovef me- e beary
break. III only she would love me. and
cling to me, all might not be lost. But, no,
she loved Paul Ernsclife"
And then the dark thought stabbed me to
the heart how came that golden curl In the
stiffened fingers of the dead man? Who was
the woman whom Davis had seen flying from
the spot where the murder had just been
committed? The more l reflected, the more
/ turned these questions over in my brain,
looked so dark, so utterly darksome ana
iume s' the pathway which led to the truth
What If the world knew all that ! knew?
What then? A grim smile stole over my
lips. opened the door and stepped out Into
the corridor. faint light from the lamp
long yellow pathway down Its long length
1t showed me something for which ! was not
prepared. A figure mufiled In long dark
LyeIis sick room, peering cautiously through
the keyhole. The sick room had two DOORS
one opening into this corridor and one COM
municating with the Lyells' private parior.
At sight of the figure ! uttered an inyol'
untary exclamation. tt could not deter,
mine whether 1t was man or woman.started
up and fitted away like flash shadow y,
down the hall and was lost to sight. ! fol
lowed swiftly; but there was no one TO De
seen. l remembered that the genial host OF
that we'll known hostelry had mentioned TO
me that all of the guests remaining at the
hotel occupied one floor, the same that con
tained the Lyells apartments. Dr. Barton's,
Jack Duane's and my own. / snatched the
burning lamp from its chain and dashed up
the staircase which led to the story above;
The same length of hall as below tra NndSed
the center and corresponding doors opeheu
from 1t upon either side.
Trembling with excitement the perspira,
ton standing upon my fSreh en cons ets1
tivtiy. All were locked. Where, then, had
the Intruder Disappeared There was no other
STORY in the Ans al the the rcUms in t%e
Puzzled and troubled, I went slowly down
the then stairs TsDoe eS Softly at Mes Iye pa
door door # poppened and / found myself IN the
presence of Colonel and Mrs. Lyell and Ger,
trude Bentley. Size glanced up as l entered
and 7 faucted she started at sight or me.
II want to see Miss Lyell," / said gently,
and the mother rose to accompany me into
and the parlor was standing open. ! found
or fancied slight change In tsmes condi-
ton. She seemed more quiet, but still sne
aIf II she could only rest" said to the
mother, there would be a hope. But
"But-now-" repeated Mrs. Lyell mild
~. "You do not mean to say, Doctor DOT DOT
rance-oh-no-no-you cannot mean that
turned, and saw by the rosy glow Of the
night lamp that Gertrude Bentley had en-.
tered the room and was watching me with
II do not say So" replied. ION the con-
trary, have great hopes. Yet, this inability
10 sheen. this never ceasing wakefulness,
win confess IT. is the very worst Oh SSmp'
Mrs. Lyell uttered a low groan. But do
not despair / went on, slowly, marveIlng
ali the time at my own strange calmness
and outward composure. II am going to try
and induce her to sleep"
/ seated myself at the bedside and laid
NV hand lightly upon her brow. She started
M with Wild cry.
p"Don't I" she pouted, her eyes dark and
and terror. Don't touch me ] can't bear
III IL see him-Paul-Paull right there
there-sir - She was pointing-pointing 10
one corner of the room. / looked and my
heart grew cold within my breast, for ! saw,
or fancfed / saw something. A dense SHADOW
gathered together against the white wall;
II was the shadow OF q man. Yet, when
went over to the corner and laid my hand
mon the spot, there was nothing there. L
~ - - tba hadaida