The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-06-26
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Shot That Failed.

Transfxed, they watched him take
two or three steps into the room. A,
his back was the swarthy Hindu, his
eyes cleaning like Goals Of fire in the
shadowy light.
James," fell TREMENDOUSLY from the
lips OF Yvonne. She swayed toward
him as Ranjab grasped his arm from
behind. Frederick saw the flash of
something bright as it passed from the
brown hand to the white one. He did
not at once comprehend.
1T happened once" came hoarsely
from the throat of James Brood. 1T
shall not happen again. Thank you,
Ranjab"
Then Frederic knew! The Hindu
had slipped a revolver into his mas
ter's hand!
1t gives me great pleasure, Yvonne.
to relieve you Of that damned, rotten.
worthless thing you call your life."
As he raised his arm, Frederic
sprang forward with a shout of horror
Scarcely realizing what he did, he
hurled Yvonne violently to one side.
It was all over In the twinkling of
an eye. There was a flash. the crash
OF an explosion. puff of smoke and
the smell of burnt powder.
Frederic stood perfectly still for an
instant. facing the soft cloud that rose
from the pistol barrel. an expression
OF vague amazement In his face. Then
his hand went uncertainty to lis
breast
Already James Brood had seen the
red blotch that spread with Incredible
swiftness-blood red against the
snowy white Of the broad shirt bosom.
CLEARING with wide-open eyes at the
lnorrfd spot. he stood there with the
pistol still levelled In petrified hand
Good God, father. you've-why,
you've" struggled from Frederic's
writing lips. and then his knees
sagged; an instant later they gave way
win rush and he dropped heavily to
the floor.
There was not a sound in the room.
suddenly Brood made a movement
quick and spasmodic- At the same In
slant Ranjab flung himself forward
and grasped his masters arm. He
mad turned the revolver upon himself!
The muzzle was almost at his temple
when the Hindu seized his hand in a
grip Of iron. |
"Sahib! Sahib!" he Kissed. What
would you do? Wrenching the weapon
from the stiff, unresisting fingers, he
hurled 1t across the room.
My Cod" groaned 3rood. His tall
body swerved forward, but his legs re-
fused to carry him. The Hindu caught
him as he was sinking Imply to his
knees. With a tremendous effort of
the will. Brood succeeded in conquer.
ng the black Inconsistencies that
vas assailing him. He Strengthened
ip to his full height. and with trem-
bling fingers pointed to the PROSTATE
igure on the floor. THE pistol, Ran.
alb! Where is It? Give It me! Man.
nan. can ] live after that? I have
ulled my SONNY own son! Quick,
mani" En
"Sahib!" cried the Hindu. wringing
lis hands. Il cannot! / cannot!"
I command you! The pistol"
without q word the Hindu, fatalist.
lave, pagan that he was, turned to do ,
IL masters bidding. 1t was not for
I'm to say nay. it was not for him to
ppose the will Of the master. but to ,
hey. /,
All this time, Yvonne was crouching
gainst the table, her Mortified gaze '
pom the great red blotch that grew to 4
'rrible proportions as she watched. h
he had not moved. she had not
'eathed. she had not taken her hands q
ON her ears where she had placed I,
EN- at the sound of the explosion. h