Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-03-01

lie had no idea where another could
be bought at such an hour of the
night, and he did not consider a diff
ferent means of fulfilling the military
tradition. II occurred to him that
there would be time enough after the
shops should open in the morning,
and, though he dreaded the delay, no
other course suggested itself.
Meanwhile TO ease his aching head
he stretched himself upon a couch.
and almost Immediately the pain sub
sided. He sank into delicious doze,
which lasted only few minutes, but
was incredibly sweet. Vague dreams
had come to him of the world all
changed and fit to live in: of Emily
singing to him in the dusk of a sum-
mer evening, memory of the first
time he had ever heard her voice In
song.
There was a small alarm clock In
his bedroom. He brought it out,
wound the alarm to the full and set 1t
for the hour of 6. Then with a GER
tain fierceness of resolve to snatch
this last poor crumb of satisfaction
out of the jaws of death he lay down
and closed his eyes
For long time sleep eluded him, and
In place of pleasant fancies came the
bitterest regrets. These grew to a
maddening intensity, but at the mo-
ment when endurance seemed no long
er possible he slept.
He was aroused by sound of knock
ing. With difficulty he shook off sleep,
and in the first moment of conscious
ness his gaze fell upon the clock. 1t in
dicated the hour of FIVE. yet the room
was frightened from without so that
the electric lamps had an odd look.
In an interval of the knocking Win
sted leaned forward toward the clock.
1t was silent. In a fash he recalled
that he had wound the alarm and moth
ing else. The clock had run down.
He called through the door, who's
thereT" The voice of Clifford Law
renee answered. Winsted let him in.
Lawrence was laboring under strong
excitement, and his relief at the sight
Of Winsted was obviously great.
"Thank heaven l opened that note!"
be began. What did you mean by
"You opened my note to Emily?" said
Winsted well, that was not much
for a forger. Now I'll trouble you to
step in there" and he pointed to a
closet the door of which was ajar. II
can't stay here to entertain you, and
don't intend that you shall follow me.
l am in no mood to be trifed with
Make hastei"
There was a swift, light sound like
rush of wings. A voice, not loud but
heartbreaking in its intensity, cried
out his name, and Winsted turned just
in time to catch Emily Lawrence as
she was falling at his feet.
The bitterness of thousand deaths
struck to the mans vitals; an infinite
humiliation changed his blood to ice.
why are you here?" he asked her
gently. you had no word"
81 heard uncle speak to Mr.. Minot,"
she replied. He was telephoning, and
he said"-
A flood of tears choked her utter
ance. She clung wildly to Winsted.
The memory of those awful words,
"Winsted has killed himself" was
more than she could bear.
AS for Winsted, he felt that his rea-
son was deserting him. He had not
looked upon death with any great de-
gree of pleasant anticipation, but it
had offered no terrors worthy Of COM
parison with the present situation.
There was never a man In this world
who was sorrier to be alive.
He strove to find words, but the Ian
guage does not contain any that will
serve in such an emergency. The room
was silent save for Emily's sobs. Then
came slow, restrained tapping at the
door.
As no one answered, the visitor
ventured to push the door little far
ther open and thus disclose himself,
tall man in black, with somber
countenance
II am sorry to intrude," he said,
with an eye upon the weeping girl.
81 am from the undertakers, sir"
Winsted waved his hand frantically.
The man bowed gravely and withdrew
into the hall. Winsted betook himself
to the task of comforting Emily, say
ing he knew not what. His poor at
tempt was interrupted by the entrance
of Martin j. Minot and DR.. Garvan.
Minot maintained his usual calm,
but Garvan, who was bitter partisan
of the ring, glared upon Winsted with
undisguised animosity.
what does this mean, Mr.. Law
rence? he demanded. But the dis
trict attorney only shook his head.
perhaps the gallant captain will
oblige us with, an explanation" said
the coroner, but before Winsted could
reply the entrance of DR.. Benham
changed the current of the scene.
Benham was strong man in every
way, bundle of muscle and reser-
soir of energy. Winsted's message
had broken his heart. 1t was healed
again in a flash at the sight Of his
friend alive. He swept Minot, Law
renee and Garvan with fiery glance.
"You pack of hounds" he said,
"don't glare at me. I'm not afraid Of
you! I'll lay some Of you by the heels
before / get through! It's lucky for
you, Minot, that you burned that
letter.
Captain Winsted burned it," said
Minot calmly, 'in the presence Of my
self and the district attorney, but we
have Photographic copy, in case it
should be required"
Benham stepped swiftly to the table
in the middle Of the room, where, upon
large ash tray, lay all that was left
Of the burned letter A fragment of