The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-25

breaking from whisper into thrill
of pure music: ''Y ou!"
There was. in the one syllable, so
much terror that his heart shivered:
so much of welcome that his heart
| leaped: SO much of joy that his heart
sang.
Bending. he pressed his lips on her
! hands, and felt them tremble beneath
has kiss. They were withdrawn, and
fluttered for the briefest moment. at
! his temples. Then she spoke. hur-
riedly and softly.
You must go. AT once. AT once!
when / have just found you 2"
IF you have any care for me---for
my happiness--for my good name
go away from this house Of dread"
WHAT" said Sedgwiek sharply.
"Of dread7 What do you DO here,
them"
Suffer- said she. Then bit her
lips. mo. No! l didn't mean IT.
1t is only that the mystery of it
am unstrung and weak Tomorrow
all will be right. Only 60"
II will, said Sedgwick firmly.
And you shall go with me-"
III Where?"
He caught her hand again and held
1t to his heart. ITO.
/" See the gold air and the silver fade
And the last bird fly into the last
light" he whispered.
DON'T" she begged. mot that.
It brings back that week too poig-
nantly. Oh. my dear; please. please
GO"
Listen he said. Heart of my
heart. / don't know what curse hangs
over this house; but this l do know,
that l can not leave you here Come
with me now. I Will find some place
for you tonight, and tomorrow we will
! be married"
With a sharp movement she shrank
back from him.
! Married Tomorrow " The
words seemed to choke her. Don't
you know who l ann
/ Fear chilled his mounting blood as
/ kent't analysis of the probabilities
came back to him,
! IF you are married already" he
said unsteadily, 'It-it would be bet
ter for me that Kent had let him
| shoot"
"Who?" she cried. What has
been passing. here2 You have been
in danger?"
What does it natter" ha re
turned. What does anything mat
ter but
"Harki" she broke in, spasm of
terror contracting her face.
Footsteps sounded within. There
was the noise OF a door opening and
closing. Around the turn of the wing
Alexander Blair stepped into view.
His pistol was still in his hand.
Still here, sir?" he inquired with
an effect of murderous courtesy.
You add spying to your other prac-
tises. then" He took a step forward
and saw the girl. MY Godi Mar
torie!" he cried.
| Sed4wick turned white. at the cry,
but faced the older man steadily.
II fear SIR" he said. that have
is wholly mine, I beg you to be-
lieve that ] came here wholly with
out the knowledge of-of your
wife"
"Of whom?" exclaimed Blair: and
in the same moment the girl cried
out, "Oh. no, no. Not thatl"
"Not?" exclaim d Sedgwick.
Then"
Marjorie" interrupted Mr.. Blair,
! do you know this man?"
Yes" she said quietly.
! Since when?"
| Since two weeks
And he has come here before?"
NO"
Then why do / find him here with
you tonight: this night of all nightsg''
! He Is not here with me-" said she.
flushing.
II came from--from whore you
saw me-" began Sedgwick, fon a
reckless impulse. Believe me. sir
! "One moment! Marjorie, I think
you had best go to your ROOM"
The girls soft lips Strengthened Into
a line of infiexibility. II wish to speak
to Mr.. Sedgwick." she said.
Speak then, and quickly"
| mo: l wish to speak to him alone.
There Is an explanation which I owe
him."
4 And there is one which he owes
YOU" retorted Blair. '.As he scenes
to have been too cowardly to give 1t,
will supply his deficiencies. In. or
! der that there may be no misunder-
standing. let me present Mr.. Francis
Sedgwick. the murderer"
E,---A--lax- cEx.aa1he most desolate, the
most stricken sound thar YedRwfcK
had ever heard from human lips,
trembled on the air. Before he
lcould gather his senses to retort and