Canyon City news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1903-1908, 1907-03-15
CONTINUED
CHAPTER NXNH.

band of light from SimmondS' lantern
waving uncertainty across the floor,
the walls. the ceiling evidently poor
Simmonds did not understand the eX-
act nature Of the danger, but only that
il was a terrible one had mad i'm
pulse to jump. shrieking. for the door,
and should probably have done it had
that quivering silence endured Il mo-
ment longer.
"Simmonds, give me your lantern
said Godfrey, with an admirable calm
ness. Lester. have your cane ready"
He threw 4 broad band Of light upon
the carpet and, keeping carefully with
IN this path. approached the door, felt
for the electric button and switched
on the lights.
Half blinded :oT an instant we stood
staring at each other, ut the floor.
For Gods sake" gasped SmmondS,
hopping the sweat from his face.
what is IT."
ITS snake" said Godfrey tersely,
'the deadliest in the world. II you
don't believe me look yonder" And he
pointed TO the huddled mass on the
floor.
| did not look; | was afraid to: had
already seen too much. | was grateful
when Godfrey jerked down a curtain
aud threw it over the body. Then he
gave Simmonds the lantern and closed
the door, which we had left open when
We entered.
Now" he continued sharply, there's
no use in giving way to our nerves.
We're in no danger. but that snake Is
hid around here somewhere and the
first thing for us to do is TO find it,
Were there two snakes, Lester
"No," | answered. as articulately as
could, Il think not | never saw but
one"
II thought you said Cecily took that
one with her"
80 she did-wait; l didn't see it.
She had cover over the cage"
Godfrey's face paled suddenly.
Good Cod he murmured
A giddnass seized me. | clutched at
chair for support.
1t had been no accident. She had
left Fe-Fe behind TO avenge her-and
what vengeance. She had not laugh
ed and forgotten.
Then in flash l understood that last
strange scene-the change in Cecily as
she stood watching us from the deck
nf ln ranaIi,,n hnot tho sginD
against the rail, the frantic effort to
shout a message TO Tremaine. She
had relented. she did not wish to kill
him, she loved him yet But Of that
warning he had caught only single
word.
The bed l cried. THE bed
Right" agreed Godfrey nciSively,
and walked TO the bedroom door. In
an instant the inner room was ablaze
with light He armed himself with
one of Tremaine's canes, and together
we approached the bed.
Ready, now" he said, and with a
sudden movement stripped back the
covers. But there was nothing under
them.
The pillow, perhaps" he said, and
turned it over.
There was a quick movement. soft
Kissing, vicious head raised itself,
two eyes OF orange FIRE glared at US.
heard the swish OF Godfrey's cane,
and the head fell Fe.Fe would work |
no more evil
ND rlnr, 7 lnnl-nI RinCalt ut
the coils | perceived something else |
there - something bright, ridescent,
glowing.
Godfrey lifted the mangled body with
the end Of his cane and threw it into
the middle Of the bed. Then he bent |
over and picked up-the necklace.
II was sure we should find il here
he said. But look at it. Isn't it beau
tifulT
1t was more than that--it was SUI
)erb; not dead white now, but warm,
hull Of life. Was it the salt bath, or
was il that the cloud had been rcmov
I'd forever from its owners life: As
looked at it there seemed to be
unearthly in its beauty. IL
seemed TO be rejoicing.
"The snake bit him probably" add
ID Godfrey thoughtfully, las he thrust !
he necklace under the pillow. 1t was
fitting punishment"
1T was greater than he deserved" |
protested hoarsely. HE was not the
nan to meet death like that"
a man. He was a VAMPIRE said
Godfrey sternly He lived on the
ives Of others. Don't let your senti
nentalhm blind you, Lester
"Ob, YOU didn't know him. | cried.
/ hot resentment Of fate was sweep
ne over me. realized that down Mt
be bottom of my heart, had never
eally believed in Tremaine's guilt.
even now ! hardly believed In it.
Godfrey turned TO Simmonds, who
TODD contemplating the scene with
taring eyes. his lantern still open in
Is hand.
ITS hard luck, SiDlmonds." he said.
Iou'd. not gey1g 70 gct the glory,