Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-15

"Tbat is a dangerous utterance my friend, with
feeling running so high" 49, 1,
"True; but think that it is safe with you Even Even
knowing him you do you cannot imagine s .ne
depths of that mans wickedness. When only lao'
some years ago, helped unmask MS VlIiany III a
little settlement near where grew up: ne was q.
that time passing as q student OF dlVlnlty anu
under an assumed name, he was paying court TO
all the country girls round about happened TO
hear him at distant post ONCE ask lor leIters
under another name,-his own, know noW-anu
saw him open and read them. I charged him with
his baseness. He threatened to break my head put
thought better of it and left the country between
two days"
"What was his object?"
"That was never rightly known; some foul
things were suspected"
"Do you think he has ever recognized your?
"Never; so much time has elapsed. III he did he
was too polite to make it known Better to let
sleeping dogs lie, think was his policy"
"And you?"
"T had no object in calling myself to his mind.
He was away above me in power and influence
When will you be going homer"
"Since there is nothing now to detain me, will
leave early in the morning. hope sometime when
it is convenient you will call by and see u.s. Our
latch string is always out for our friends We
live you know in the Manor House on the Cumber-
land Gap road Anyone in the neighborhood can
point it out"
"Yes yes I remember 1t. Was there not long
ago YOU remember. beautiful place you've
made of 1t. I will be pleased to visit you some
time. Goodbye" and they parted with cordial
hand clasp
The following morning, having breakfasted,
Darral ordered his horse early and starteF for
home All along the road he was halted by per
sons going into town eager for the la est news OF
the tragedy Dstasteful it was to him to talk
about it he courteous and polite to every one
answering their questions, telling them all that
seemed to be known about 1t. Most of the peo-
pie were strangers to him. sometimes he spoke
with others whom he had met before.
Throughout the long journey to friends and
strangers alike he bore himself we'll; calm, d1gni-
cfJ 10 fhn uh0 hAd pY-
cited their sympathy and interest were worthy of
their confidence and respect
He felt so anxious about Marguerite, to be the
first to bear to her the news, and relieve her
anxiety that the journey seemed fnterminable
and the days never ending.
The sun was sinking slowly the western
slope of the foothills changing the waters of the
little lake from pale gold into ruby glow like
rich red wine as he turned the bend of the trail,
and crossed the Of the lake at the foot Of the
lawn.
Seeing his wife with Mrs Randolph upon the
porch he put his hand into his pocket to draw out
his handkerchief to wave to them a greeting. His
pocket empty. Instantly he recalls the hand
kerchief with the stain of blood upon it from the
thorn of the rose, picked for Marguerite, just be-
fore he left He does not know why he thinks of
it for he does not remember having taken it with
him.
It is dismissed at once from his mind as a
triHing matter and waving his hand to the ladies,
instead, he joins them Noting the troubled
anxious look in his wfes eyes, he hastens to say,
"I bring you very grave news. Col. Steale was
killed two nights before | left Frankfort, at his
own door; it is supposed to have been the work of
some fanatic; that he killed perhaps in a
political quarrel The whole administration is
alarmed and the excitement intense"
Mrs Randolph expressed great horror and
alarm for her husband "No danger for him, his
judicial duties always keep him conservative
answered Darral
color leaving her cheeks; she asked no questions
"Are you i'll sweetheart"