Free press., 1907-02-09


Next year. old chap. well dine together
at Southam Han. But I'm glad to keep
you company tonight, he remarked, as they
sat down to dine
Stiles with a pleasant, frank smile.
Why, Mark, you look younger than
To which Mark bowed He had been in
good service, and knew exactly how to be-
IT'S the same to you, sir, I'm thinking .
he said. But we don't any of us grow
younger"
Then the dinner brought in, and very
excellent it was. But Julian noticed how
little Ferdinand ate, also that he seemed to
grow more and more moody as the courses
him Julian scarcely knew, but he grew frac-
tious and peevish, then downright quarrel
some Once or twice Julian had to bite his
have provoked further strife.
And he was drinking a great deal of
WE VINE, tnat ne noticed also, his face getting
Julian heartily wished it over but there
wa was dessert to be got through yet If only
ms cousins insulting remarks all might yet
pc veil. At last game the climax. With
lnsidious smile, Ferdinand made some dis
paraging remark about Fedore Molyneux
u suppose the old woman wants to trap
you he said coarsely. "She tried for me
you yoG are the to fh bsge & NOT Of
That's why she followed you up here. I
bait her hook with
scornful laugh followed the words
Julian, stung beyond endurance, threw
squarely.
What do you mean by that, Ferdinand?
Apologize this moment, if you do not wish
me to leave the table and your society"
Ferdinand chuckled inwardly. His scheme
was succeeding beyond his hopes.
Il shan't apologize :" he said with a
growl I mean every word I said They're
You're not the first man they've angled for.
III wager. You're easily gulled fool
and they know it,.
The next instant a pair of strong hands
were at his throat.
"Unsay those words" said Julian in his
ear Unsay them, or I'll throttle you 20
The two closed together like a couple of
was of taller stature, and more musular
make. Or it might be that his cousin al,
up. Ferdinand had openly insuIted the
girl he loved. and her mother also.
But But he did not know the cunning sub
After vafnly endeavoring to throw him,
Julian saw his advantage. and with quick
a heavy crash he fell his head coming in
contact with the sharp edge of the fender.
There he lay. prone and motionless, streak
OF pIooo making its way down his face, and
streaming on to his immaculate shirt front.
,.I This was the signal In rushed Mark
stiles angry and indignant at his room
house and brawling tavern
You've done it now, Mr.. Julian 70 he ex-
claimed BY jove, but you've killed him %
White as statue the young man
leaned over the PROSTATE body.
He placed his hand upon the heart
There was not the faintest movement The
wounded mans jaw seemed to drop his
head rolled back upon the floor, his eyes
went up till nothing but the whites were
visible.
The two men stared at each other, dismay
apparently upon the face of both
My soul! What shall 1 do?' burst at
length from Julian's trembling lips He
was shaking from head to foot like an
aspen leaf.
Bolt Now This very instant-while the
coast is clear! Be out of England before
the alarm is raised 'Tis your only
But you'll swear it was only an acci-
dent gasped the awestruck Julian. He
taunted me beyond endurance. 1 had to
close with him to avenge the Insult
Stiles shrugged his shoulders and pointed
to the body.
:'whatl the police believe of that, Mr..
you don't want to pass the night in a police
cell-if you don't want to hang by the
neck for murder, bolt and quickly I'll
swear you shall have time enough for
Before he could reach the door his way
barred.
pressed into the
Father, father! what means all this
noise? All, ah!" she shrieked in terror at
Her father, vexed beyond measure at
her entrance, could not hide the state of the
case.
there! Stand back. and let the murderer n MeT
1t was an awful word-it was an awful
did clara stand. And his features lures were were
burnt into her memory with a touch quite
indelible. There was the contracted brow,