The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1911-10-18

bit more. thrust II into onr VI my
big pOckets: then ] staggered up to
the horse. hut did not unite him.
curiosity seized me again. and |
thought ! would take another look at
the ladies' perhaps They might want
me-perhaps-l was pretty we'll con
fused. but ! went back and cruwled
once more into the window.
This time the place was silent-not
a sound not breath-but could see
faint glimmer of light followed
this glimmer. Still there was no
sound. .sss4.-ss'.7'-
al came to an open door. A couch
was before me. heaped with cushions
A long ray of moonlight had shot In
through a communicating door. and
could see everything by 1t. This was
where the ladies had been when | lis
tened before. but they were not here
now.
Weren't they? Why did tremble
so, then. and stare aud stare mt those
cushions? Why did feel must pull
them away. as ! presently did? ! was
mad with liquor and might easily have
imagined what | there saw. but ! did
not think of this then. | believed what
| saw instantly. Miss Cumberland
was dead. and had discovered the
crime She had killed herself-no; she
had been killed.
should ! yell out murder? No. no:
I could he sorry without that. | would
not yell MistresSes were plenty.
had liked her. but need not yell
There was something else | could do
''She had II ring on her finger ring
that for months | had gloated over
and watched as | had never watched
and gloated over any other beautiful
thing in my life. | wanted it'll had
always wanted it. 1t was before me
for the taking now. | should be a
fool to leave it there for some other
wretch to pilfer. had loved her. l
would love the ring.
Reaching down, took it. l drew
1t from her finger. | put it in my
pocket I-God in heaven, the eyes
had seen glassed in death were look
ing at mel
'She was not dead; she had been
witness of the theft. Without a
thought of what was doing my hands
closed round her throat. 1t was drink,
fright, terror at the look she gave me,
which made me kill her. not my real
self. My real self could have shrieked
when in another instant 1 saw my
work.
But shrieking would not bring her
back, and it would quite ruin me. Miss
Carmel was somewhere near. l beard
her now at the telephone. In another
me. | dared not linger.
Tossing back the pillows, | STUN
bled from the place. Why l was not
heard by my young mistress do not
know. Her ears were deaf, just as my
eyes were half blind. In half hour
was dancing with the maids, telling
them of the pretty stranger with whom
/ had been sitting out an hour OF fur
In a quiet corner. They believed me
and not particle of suspicion has any
man ever had of me since.
But others have had to suffer, and
that has made hell of my nights. re
stored the ring to my poor mistress
| but even that brought harm TO one
had no quarrel with. But he has es
capped conviction. and IL | thought Mr.
Ranelagh would also escape | might
have courage to live out my miserable
life and seek TO make amends in tho
| way she would have me.
"But fear for him. | fear for Miss
| Carmel Never could | testify in an
| other trial which threatened her peace
of mind | see that. instead OF being
the selfish stealer of her sisters happi
ness, as had thought, she Is an ange
from whom all future suffering should
be kept.
This is my way of sparing her Fer
haps 1t will help her sister TO forgive
me when we meet In the world Il
which l am now going"
THE END.
II D.a