The Detroit times., 1910-01-11

! through my veins. singing a veritable
poem of Joy and triumph. We were
both about 10 die, but Marion loved
me, and by that knowledge was
transformed on instant from a weak
! half-broken creature into a life-loving
and most desperate man. | glanced
quietly about me.
While Dr. vernet ate his breakfast
he watched me. but without manifest
ing suspicion. Beudant stood behind
his chair Sir Charles and Fulton were
in earnest converse 30 PAGES of.
| though TO myself: Il may never
get a better chance. Only a coward
will permit himself TO be slaughtered
unresisting.
"Beudant," said | aloud. will you
be good enough 10 get me another
cup OF coffee
The Negro nodded and started TO
come round the table.
DIR. Vernet." | said as carelessly
as possible, may | trouble you for
the pepper-pot beside you?'
He bowed, and stretched out ia or
der 10 render me the indicated SER
vice. In a fash ! had caught his wrist
In my left hand. and with my right
seized heavy carafe OF water and
hurled Il at his head. Next second
leaped across the table. caught him
in my arms. when. guided by Yer
nets own instructive clutch To arm
himself | plunged my hand into his
breast pocket and found a revolver.
| slipped to the floor and held the
~ Ilp
Vernet before me as a shield. Sir Chas.
Venner and DR.. Fulton were already
advancing towards me with drawn
pistols.
Stop" | shouted.
Sir Chas. Venner answered me with
his revolver The bullet crashed into
Dr. Vernet's brain and | felt my face
spattered with blood. | fired in return.
and DR.. Fulton. uttering a frightful
scream. pitched headlong on the floor
II was bad shot. for | had fired
at Sir Chas. Venner.
For a moment thereafter the latter
stood still, and we stared into each
others eyes across the trail OF smoke
became conscious that DR.. Vernets
dead body was slipping from my
grasp. slipping, slipping. AS at last IL
fell | fired, twice In quick succession.
I heard an answering shot. then wo-
mans piercing scream. ! fired again.
The room was by then full OF smoke.
| could see nothing. but | heard some
one rushing towards me shouting and
cursIng. For a fifth time fired. There
followed the sound OF fall. then a
deep and dreadful silence. I waited
with my revolver at full cock. not dar-
ing TO breathe. my every nerve on
strain. listening and peering yainly
through the pail OF smoke.
Very slowly and gradually the
white mist lifted At my feet the wo-
man | loved was living very still
Blood was yelling In a rich crimson
stream from ~ wound in her breast
Beyond her Sir Chas. Venner lay face
downwards on the floor 'Beudant and
Or. Fulton l8v beside Sir Chas. Ven
rer's body. All seemed dead.
Oppressed with a wildand hideous
sense OF unreality. | stared stupidity
before me A smoke wreath. growing
transparent. showed. me at length n
living face. Jussieu stood within the
room. black statue of horror. Scarce
~ conscious OF what I did. | raised
my pistol and pointed it at his breast
lie did not move. ! fred and he fell.
Al the sound Marion's eyes opened.
She looked ~ at me. uttered q cry
Of agony and. throwing away my
smokin~ weapon. sank on my knees
beside her.
Are you hurt?'' she breathed
"Nc-no--but you-you are dying"
I walled
she gave me a most wonderful and
tender smile. For YOU she gasped
To save you. lie would have killed,