The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-22


In her clothes. 1t would be Il sign OF
weakness and faltering fnl.h to make
even so slight departure from her
usual custom.
1t had always been her habit to
wedge the chair under the handle OF
the door In. such a position that if II
We're forced away by any one enter
ing she would be awakened But to-
night she estated whether to take
even that precaution.
She did 1t, however and with that
slight barrier between her and the
man who threatened her with death,
she lay down and slept soundly.
The night passed without incident,
and Olive hailed this as an additional
sign hat her faith was well founded
and that her death would be prevented.
Gratefully, and humbly she returned
THANKS for the safety of the night. and
Tor the courage given to her to sleep
calmly in the face of her peril. And
then with that inflexibIe purpose and
VIII of hers, she set about the reading
| and work and exercise which she had
appointed for the day
Thaf great change had taken
place in the house was soon apparent,
however. When Mrs. Tsley brought her
breakfast. she set 1t down on the
table with the remark. i've brought
you your breakfast. Mrs. Merridew.'
You need not trouble to keep up
that pretence," said Olive. You know
it is false"
oh. am liar. am II" cried the
woman. evidently eager to quarrel II
Know l was witness to your mar
riage. you little devil ard heard
you say yes when YOU were asked
If you'd marry Mr. Merridew. That's
enough for me-
And enough of you for me You
can GO"
that's right Give your orders while
you can. You amt going to have many
chances. l can tell YOU Fut that In
your pipe and smoke IT,; seq" ard
| with that and the addition of few
abusive epithets, the woman slammed
the door.
Olive turned to her breakfast. Az
ter her experience at Mrs, Taunton,s
she believed that the most probable
form OF the attempt upon her life
would be by means OF drugging or
poison. She carefully scrutini2ed
everything set before her.
me egg could not be tempered with;
the bread was the same loaf which had
been brought to her the night before:
and the butter was harmless. The
1nllk and sugar could be more easily
doctorcd: and thus she eschewed them
all. drinking only a glass of water.
But she was careful to throw out Of
tie window enough of the tea and
| milk to- let it appear that she had no
sLsoie'cn.
AS soon as she had finished the inca,
she turned to her books and prepared
to pass the morning Just as usual. Ana
she was reading when Merridew en-
tired.
Are you going to force me to ex-
trsmes. or Will you sign that papcr?'
you must do what you will
have no other answer from that OF
yesterday" she replied with perfect
steadiness.
"You will have only one more chance
This evening. If you still refuse, vol
will not live to see another day"
She Heard him In silence and turned
| to her book He was evidently OF
cpi,don that the fewer S;Jrds he said
lie greater would be t!,e i'm orasSit'
| OF his infexible resolve to carry out his
| threats
| BUT Mrs. Tisley was of quite another
| cI,nion.
| at dinner time she was loud in hel
ahlse of olive. referring to the at.
| tempt to escape as the cause of hel
| intense bitterness. lit had been a de
| lctrate effort to ruin her with Merri.
| Gcw, she declared. and she vented hei
rage freely
/ Clives silence provoked her almost
to personal violence. and she went w
| close to her and Shook her fist In hel
| face in a verltab1e paroXysm of rage
| Fat Olive never took her eyes from
ha. book, and was as indifferent as
Though the woman had not been IN the
! room.
She had been drinking again; Olive
could smell the gin; and from this con
cluoed that Merridew had left the mouse
fos a times But the door was care
/ fully locked and bolted.
For over an hour beyond the susua
| time the dinner plates and other thing!
were not fetched; and when Mrs It's
! lev came for them, 1T was quite plalf
1 that she rad been films IN the tine
with the help of the gin bottle
She was IN the loauacious stage wher
Compensation with some one Is almos
as great craving as that FOR TN
drink itself And a remark which sh'
lat drop. q sinister hint as 10 VI.
means by which Olive was to be tree.
"a induced her to lead the woma.
to talk freely.
A very little aggravation was sur
ncient. and the crore began VIII
/. snarling liz 10 gloat over olives com
ing death. -,
$50 you won't say you're his wife
eh? You think that's precious clever
don't you? Butt won't do you an. am
good. Dead folks can't talk. See
Ana clever as you think yourself anf
4 cunning--to 60 stealing out when.
body's back's turned--you. wont be abl'
to talk either, any more than any on
i else"
land shall live to tell OF your share y
this and to see you punished for y
s|,oo." said Olive with a Threatening
Hook.
"You'u. have to shout pretty lou
TO he heard from the bottom OF a MN
4 shaft, and no mistake. With your Sc,
4 me punished! I suppose you th'hi
4 were all fools.
"Go away ard don't talk rubblsl
about mine shaft.H
A .eRubhish!p almost shouted the Wo
man, furiously, when you're dow
!. that onc--you can see It from YOU
I. window there, If YOU like to get up an
look-when5 you're down that one,
!, saw itW he rubbish in one, And sh
laughed at her Wit,
"You arc only foolish. Woman Peo
. lple cannot be murdered without tn
n,,rdarars heine discovered and hang