The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-02-14
probably have done it had that q1liv-
ering silence endured a m

probably have done it had that q1iv-
ering silence endured a
longer.
"Silnmonds gave me your lantern"
said Godfrey, with an admirable calm
ness: Lester, have your cone ready"
dc threW u 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 for an instant we stood
staring at each other. at the floor
FOR Gods sake" gaSped Simmonds.
hopping the sweat from his face. what
Is it?"
IT'S a 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
door.
I had already seer too much. ! was
grateful when Godfrey jerked down
a curtain and threw 1t over the body.
Then he gave Simmonds the lantern
left open when we Suffered.
Now" he continued sharply. "there's
no use In giving way to our +
We're In no danger. but that snake is
MD around here somewhere and tho
hrst thing for US to do is to find 1t.
w - SsAOAS WV ollIlSAJE lkcS m
NO." l answered, as articulately az
l could. Il think not: I never saw but
one.'
one with her"
S She did-wait: I didn't see It.
She had a cover over the cage"
Godfrey's face paled suddenly.
Good God" he murn1Jucd.
A glddiness seized me: I ctutched at
q chair for support.
It had been no accident: she had
what q vengeance! She had not
laughed and forgotten.
Then, In q fash, I understood that
last strange scene-th6 change in Ce-
Oily. as h stood watching us from the
deck. Of the receding boat. the press
Ing against the rail, the frantic ef-
fort to shout a message to Tremaine-
n mad relented. She did not wish to
Kill him. h loved him yet. But of
that warning he had caught only a
single word see
The bed!" cried. The bed!"
Right" agreed Godfrey incisively,
an instant. the inner room was ablaze
with light. He armed himself with one
OF Trena1ne's canes, and together wa
approached the bed.
Ready. now" he said. and witt, a
sudden movement. stripped hack the
SoS NAS4S "0o ANOlkl1uE uuuGT
them.
THE pillow, perhaps" he said. and
turned 1t over.
There was a quick movement. a soft
Missing, a vicious head raised itself.
TWO eye of orange fire giared at
heard the swish of Godfrey's cane
and the head fell. Fe-Fe would work
no more evil.
And then. as I looked more closely
at the coils. /! perceived something else
there-something bright. i%rridescent.
glowing 80.
Godfrey lifted the mangled body with
me END OF his cane n threw it into
the middle of the bed. Then he bent
over and picked up-the necklace.
was sure we would find it here
he said. But look at it-isn't il
beautiful"
It was moro than that, 1T was SUI
peru. Not dead-white, now. but warm.
full OF life was 1t the salt bath.
or was it that the cloud had been re-
moved forever from it's owners life7
AS looked at 1T. there seemed to be
something unearthly in its beauty-it
seemed to be rejoicing.
The a bit him probably" added
Godfrey. thoughtfully. "as he thrust
the necklace under the pillow. H was
a fitting punishment"
IT was greater than he deserved"
oSAys liz Il HUI INo
man to meet a death like that"
"A man! He was a vampirel" said
Godfrey sternly. "He lived on the lives
Of others. Don't let your sentimental
ism blind you, Lester"
"oh. you don't know him." I cried.
A hot resentment of fate was sweeping
over me: 1 realized that. down at
the bottom Of my heart. l had never
really believed in Tremaine's guilt
even now. I hardly believed in 1t.
Godfrey turned to Simmonds, who
stood contemplating the scene with
staring eyes. his lantern stiA open in
his hand.
IT'S hard luck. simmonds," he said.
You're not going to get the glory.
after all. But who could have fore
seen a thing like this?"
Simmonas opened his mouth and
shut 1t again. without utterinE a
sound.
You'd better notify the coroner"
continued Godfrey, "and. I p to
be strictly regular. I'll have to turn
this necklace over to you for the night.
Guard 1t well. Simmonds: it's worth a
hundred thousand dollars.
What" stammered Smmonds. rs
1t the-the-the-'
yes. it's the Delroy necklace. You'll
have to go with us to Babylon in the
morning. to attend the inquest. I fancy
there'u be something OF a sensation
eh. Lester?' and he laughed a grim lit
tie laugh of a%nticpatory triumph.
Then he glanced at his watch.
II must be going" he said. "I'v got
to fire this story down to the office.
What a scoop 1t will bel Till tonlor-
row, gentlemen"
heard his footsteps die out along
the hall: then a sudden horror of the
place seized ne; a deadly loathing;
and I CROPPED my way blindly from tho
room.
THE END.
Tamperins With Truth.
A school teacher trying to explain to
his class the meaning Of the word Com
ceited," said:
Suppose I would go around saying.
Look how good I am to my class or
Dragging about how much I know, or