The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-04-25
The revolver was

night, ana he did not CONSIDER Cir-
ferent means of fulfilling the military
tradition. It 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 Il couch.
and almost Immediately the pain sub
sided. He sank into n 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 sum-
ner 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 1t 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
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 clo,k. 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.
| It was silent. In n 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
there?" The voice Of Clifford Law
renee answered Winsted let him in.
Lawrence was laboring under strong
excitement, and his relief ut the sight
Of Winsted was obviously great.
"Thank heaven l opened that note!
he began. What did you mean by
"You opened my note to EmilyT' said
Winsted. well. that was not much
for forger Now I'll trouble you to
step in there" and he pointed to a
closet the door of which was ajar. Il
can't stay here to entertain you, and |
don't intend that you shall follow me.
/ am in no mood to be trifled with.
Make haste!'
There was swift, light sound like a
rush of wings. A voice, not loud but
heal breaking in its intensity. cried
out his name, and Winsted turned just
In tiG,r to catch Emily Lawrence as
lH3t1 was falling at his feet.
4 The bitterness OF thousand deaths
truck to the mans vitals; an infinite
humiliation changed his blood to ice.
"Why are You hereT' he asked her
gently "You had no word"
! II heard uncle speak to Mr.. Minot,"
she replied. "He was telepnoning. and
| he said
A Hood of tears choked her utter
lance She chung wildly to Winsted.
The mem5ry of those awful words,
I''Winsted has killed himself" was
more than she could bear.
As for yTinsted, he felt that his rea-
son was deserving him. He had nos
looked upon death with any great de.
gree of pleasant anticipation. but 1t
had offered no terrors worthy of com
lparison with the present situation.
There was never man in this world
lwho 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
Their open and thus disclose himself.
a tall man in black, with a somber
countenance
81 am sorrys to intrude." he said,
with an eye upon the weeping girl
Il am from the undertaker's. SIR
Winsted waved his hand frantically.
The man bowed gravely and withdrew
/ IuG HILL w luSbtl pttOOh
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 Caravan. who was a 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-
voir of energy Winsted's message
had broken his heart. 1t was healed
again In flash at the sight of bis
4 ct. r