The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-11-13

htNll carpet, Wnlle Wen directed blow
sent the flabby Irishman sprawling at
the feet OF the detective, who prompt
ly sat on him and pinioned his arms
behind him.
How dare you lay finger upon this
LADY," said Tryon Durham, rs he
stepped to the side OF his wife and nut
strong arm about her, where she
stood white and frightened in the
doorway.
No one had noticed the bell boy had
come TO the head OF the stairs and re-
ceived quiet order from the detec-
tive.
In sudden fear the discounted Rich
ard arose and attempted to blum the
stranger who had so unwarrantly in
terfered just as his fingers were about
to close over the golden treasure Of his
cousins fortune.
Indeed, sir, you wholly misunder.
stand the situation" he SAID to Dun
nam, with an air of injured innocence.
though perhaps you can scarcely be
blamed. This girl Is an escaped luna
tic We have been searching for her
for days, and have Just traced her. 1t
is our business TO take her back at
once. Her friends are in great dis
tress about her. Moreover. She Is dan.
gerous and menace to every guest
IN this house. She has several times
attempted to murder"
Stop" roared Durham. i'm a thun.
derous voice Of righteous anger. She
Is my wife. And you are her cousin.
know all about your plot TO shut her
up In an insane asylum and steal her
fortune. have found you sooner than
expected, and intend to see that the
law takes its full course with you"
Two POLICEMEN now arrived on the
scene, with 4 number of eager bell.
boys and porters in their wake. ready
to take part in the excitement.
Richard had turned deadly white at
the words, She is my wife!" 1t was
the death knell OF his hopes of secur-
Ing the fortune for which he had not
hesitated to sacrifice every particle OF
moral principle. When he turned and
saw impending retribution in the
shape or the two stalwart representa-.
uYes OF the law, look Of cunning
came into his face, and with one swift
motion he turned to Zee up the stair.
case close at hand.
Not much YOU don't" said an en-.
terprising bellboy, finging himself I'm
the way and tripping up the scoundrel
in his flight.
me policemen were upon him and
had him handcuffed in an instant. The
lrishman now began TO protest that
he was but an innocent tool, hired to
help discover the whereabouts of an
escaped lunatic, as he supposed. He
was walked off to the patrol wagon
without further ceremony.
1t was all over in a few minutes
The elevator carried off the detective
me policemen and their two prisoners,
the door closed behind Durham and
his bride, and the curious guests who
had peered out. alarmed by the up.
roar, saw nothing but few bellboys
standing in the hall. describing to one
another the scene as they had wit.
messed it,
Durham drew the trembling girl into
his arms and tried TO soothe her. The
tears rained down the white cheeks
as her head lay upon his breast. and
he kissed them away.
on she sobbed, shuddering "If
you had not come! 1t was terrible.
terrible! l believe he would have
killed me rather than have let me 20
again"
Gradually his tender ministrations
Gained her, but she turned troubled
eyes to his face.
You DO not know yet that / am all
say. You have nothing to prove it,
OF course, by and by, when I can get
to my guardians, and with your help
perhaps make them understand. YOU
Will know, but I dent see how you can
trust me till then"
For answer he brought his hand IN
in front OF her face and turned the
flashing diamond-her diamond-so
that its glory caught the single ray OF
setting sun that filtered into the hotel
window.
See, darling" he said. TT is your
ring. l have worn it ever since as an
outward sign that l trusted you"
You are taking mo on trust
though, in spite OF all you say, and il
is beautiful"
He laid his lips against hers. Yes"
he said; 1T is beautiful, and it is
best"
1t was very still in the room for
moment while she nestled close to
him and his eyes drank in the sweet,
ness of her face.
See said lie, taking a tiny velvet
case from his pocket and touching the
spring that opened It. 81 have amused
myself finding a mate to your stone. I
thought perhaps you would let me
wear your ring always, while you
wear mine"
He lifted the jewel from its white
velvet bed and showed her the in
scription inside: Mary, from Tryon."
Then he slipped it on her finger to
guard the wedding ring he had given
her at the church. His arm that en-.
circled her clasped her left wrist. and
the two diamonds flashed side by side.
The last CLEAN of hhe setting sun. ere
It vanished behind the tall buildings
on the west, glanced In and blazed the
gems into tangled beams of glory.
darting out In many cOlored prisms to