The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-12-13

KNOW nothing. Count FlaVlO
thought he could see a means of
stabbing his wife to the heart, and
he was never the man to hesitate
where piece of refined cruelty
was concerned. He arranged that
kidnapping himself"
Incredible" Mrs. Delahay cried.
And why?"
Have | not just told you SOP"
Silva went on. "a handsome man,
he had the nature and disposition
of devil | knew 1t before that
unhappy marriage took place. 1t
was not long before his wife found
him out. He soon began to en-
! ploy the petty tyrannies which poi
soned her life and made existence
, almost uncomfortable. have stood
behind his chair when guests have
been present and seen his clever
stimulation of affection, while all
the time he was saying things that
wound sensitive women and drive
| them to despair. Many a time |
have been tempted to thrust knife
| between his shoulders. But if
stayed here all night | could not
sum up the catalog of that mans
diabolical cruelties. And when at
length he paid the penalty of his
crime stood by my mistress, and
saved her from felon's grave. 1t
was hard work, for everything was
so cunningly laid that my mistress
stood convicted from the very first.
/ sspr,f crnttinU n from
! the point. One of the counts
greatest friends was an English
nobleman, called Lord Ravenspur.
Quite by accident, a few months be-
fore the tragedy. I saw letter
which he had written to Lord Ra-
venspur, imploring the latter to
give him secret interview at once.
In that letter the most horrible
charges were leveled against the
countess. | also managed to get
the reply to the letter, and l had
!, no scruples in reading it.
Mind you, l did not think then
that there was plot on foot to kid
nap the child. 1t did not occur to
me till comparatively recently that
Lord Ravenspur had had anything
to do with it. But, finally | knew
as plainly as possible that, at the
instigation of the count, Lord Ra-
venspur had taken her away. They
were in league together. But the
one who still lives shall not escape
his punishment. | will see to that.
Il did not mean to tell you this. |
meant to have kept it to myself as
a punishment for your heartless
conduct all these years. But your
arguments impressed me. | can see
now how the child would have re-
minded you of her father. And that
is why l have said SO much. But,
at the same time, this thing has
been an indignity to the family
which l cannot overlook. Lord
| Ravenspur will have to pay the
price OF his audicity. Blood is
| thicker than water"
"You will do nothing rash?" Mrs
Delahay said.
Silvas eyes were glittering like
stars.
ooh, will do nothing RASH" he
said, Significantly. 81 have been
brought up in the wrong school fol
that. When we South Italians take
our vengeance we strike and strike
hard. But it is done in the dark
so that the right hand does moi
know what the left is doing. But
We never forget, and we never for
give"
Silva turned on his heel ant
walked slowly and thoughtfully
away.
The countess parted from her sis
} ter at the corner of the street, anc
} Mrs. Delahay continued her way
slowly, always keeping the figure
!, of Silva in sight. An impulse t.
follow him had suddenly seize(
her. She recollected wildly enough
now the words that had passed be
tween Silva and Stevens as to Lore
Ravenspur, and the things tina
were going to happen tonight. Sh'
felt almost sure of this presently
as Silva came up before Lord Ra
venspur's house.
He stood there just a moment
then cody let himself into the gar
den with a key. Very cautiously
Maria Delahay followed. The
shadows were made more dense by
the blaze of light which came fill
tering through the glas dome o.
the studio.
Presently she heard Silva Greer
cautiously to the side of the studio
and then, moment later, to hel
amazement, she saw that he was
slowly climbing to the top of the
dome by means of one of the ribs
of the roof. The man appeared tt
be as 1.-the and active as cat.
There was no time for furthe1
hesitation. 1t was very late now
Probably all the household hat
gone to bed, and doubtless Lore
Ravenspur was alone in the studio
u Without a moments hesitation sh'
. flew back into the road and ran t.
the front door of the house.
She pressed the button of thu
bell. She could hear the ripple
right through the house. 1t seemed
to her as if no one was ever com
ing. Then presently there was thu
sound of a footstep inside and thu
door was flung open by Waite
Lance.
mot a moment" she gasped
- - eft IN Mt