El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-07-13

wharf, and the little red points Of flame
on barges that wended down the
stream. She read:
Dear Madam: L am requested by
Vincent Devereux to acquaint you
with the serious news that he is at
present lying in an extremely critical
condition in ward No. at St. George
hospital as the result of being knocked
down and run over by a motor bus near
piccadilly Circus. He can speak but
little and is evidently terribly anxious
to see you. 1 fear there is no
hope, but, at any rate, We will be COM
forted by your presence. He desires TO
see you alone. I am yours obed1ently,
F. Weldon. assistant surgeon.
She made no comment, but, biting
her under lip, handed it over to her
husband
Il must go at once, Leonard
He nodded. Il will call cab, said
he, and went out, followed by Venetia,
who ran up stairs TO put nat and
coat on
Devereux- was lying on q bed in a
private ward. empty but for himself
His head was bandaged, and his once
handsome face, now worn with excess
es, was the face of death.
Venetia was taken in by a nurse. L
will leave you with him for few mo-
menIS, miss, Salu SiIe- LII w ClUOA,
told me to. But you are to keep him
as quiet as possible" She left the
room.
Venetia drew a chair to his bedside,
and took his hand, which lay inert on
the coverlet.
Dear, I'm so sorry" she said; II
came directly 1 read the note
4 weary little smile shone in his eyes
He spoke distinctly, but very family.
pausing between the words.
We'll, Venetia, my goose is cooked
The words seemed horribly groteSque
to her, under the dimmed gas globe, in
such surroundings.
God disposes," he went on He
has disposed of me. You're looking jol-
ly well tonight, Venetia- Queer TO
think 1 never asked you to marry me
I wonder what you would have said.
1 Think think it adds a piquancy to
see an old flame married-old flame
married. Damn him, how 1 hated him
for being so successful. and for getting
you-getting you-and 1 hate him more
now, and don't love you any the less
for what I've DONE
What, dear? What have you done?"
She was terribly moved, yet she felt
at the moment how queer it was that
the nurse had called her miss 1t
seemed almost to have had an effect
1.-The pictures" he said, That's what
sent for you to tell-te1 you 1t
will be interesting to see how you take
it. The pictures you know.
His pictures" she repeated. He was
unintelligible.
He didn't know-didn't know who
bought them, did hep" he asked.
NO, he could not find out"
We'll, it was mel, I mean, I must
Ta col on dpa
u"
ooh, Vincent. how good of you. Then
it was you who have helped US so
much 1t was good-noble of you"
Damned little nobility about it." He
laughed, then drew in his breath sharp
ly I'm all shattered inside" he NUT
tered and gripped her hand Especial
ly If you knew what 1 did with them
But that's what
81 am afraid you cannot speak any
more, miss" said the nurse. She had
returned unnoticed.
@'Oh, nurse, one moment, he has some
thing to say yet"
She bent over him. What are you
going to do with them-will you leave
them to him, Vincent? Did you buy all
those that Swanston had?"
He turned to her, wetting his lips.
Yes; [ bought hem-all-dnd-I
can't leave them-because-I
burnt them-all."
But Vincent Devereux did not see how
Venetia took it. Re Eel rs he sp6 Ike.