The aegis & intelligencer., 1916-05-05
out" said Fremantle. sneering stu.
But before you begin. you may a.
we'll knnw"

But before you begin. you may a.
well know"
Are you ready7" demanded Munson.
lio saw his enemy's face whiten. He
was surprised at his own resolution.
Fremantle lot tho muzzle OF his weap-
on drop irresolutely, but Munson held
his own covering the other.
Il shall switch of the light" he con-
tinued. we will wait until tho clock
begins to chime the hour. Then we
Will fire together"
"You may as well listen to reason"
suggested Frcmantlo.
Munson's hand went out and
snapped tho switch. Tho room was in
complete darkness. Tho two men
faced each other. hut each could SOC
nothing. Neither could hear the
other breathe. Munson wondered
II his pistol still covered HIS enemy.
There was n minute still. and out OF
the darkness came tho voice OF FIRE.
mantle.
you may as we'll listen, Munson."
ho hhlh II "bh IltNtHl SuuT hHoot-
ing Mrs. Munson knew that you had
ceased to care for her. She did all
in her power to win your love At
last discovered what tho trouble was.
You know we were like brother and
sister In tho old days"
Munson set his teeth and strained
his ears for tho chime. His pistol did
not wavcr In HIS hand
Il suggested the scheme. Munson.
told her that you were not a bad sort
of man. that II you realized what you
might loso you would feel differently.
| designed to make you jealous: but
| did not mean anyone else To SEQ,
That's all"
you lying hound!" snurlod Munson
And at that instant ho heard the qua
yer OF the clock as II prepared to
chime, and pressed the trigger,
There came no echo to the muffied
thud Of the discharge, For q fearful
instant he hesltatcd. Had he killed
Fremantle? lie strained HIS ears. but
could hear nothing save the clock
striking
Have you hrcd2" he demanded as
the chimes subsidized.
There was no response. Ncryously
he stretched out his hand and switched
on tho light. FrcmRntlo stood quite
still, watching him. his pistol dropping
In his hand.
III that's all. Munson---" he began.
MunsOn dashed his pistol down and
burst into tears from the reaction.
you've had your triumph. curse
you!" he whlmporcd MY lifes yours.
Why didn't you shoot? Why didn't
your I'm going"
lIe stepped out through tho win,
dOws. llo was going away. FTemantlo
had won; he had refused to shoot
when he could have killed him Doubt
less he meant to make the most OF
his triumph. and lifo meant more to
him under tho circumstances than Il
would II he were a murderer and a
fugitive
At the edge OF the lawn Munson hes.
itated and looked back Fromantle
was still In the library. lIe stood be
meath the Hight OF the electric bulb.
IIe had wrapped a handkerchief about
HIS hand and laid the pistol away As
| MunsOn watched him he saw tho door
open and his wIfo appear upon the
threshold
Munson had mover Bpied upon his
| wife, but at the sight OF her madness
| roso In his brain. Fremantle would
| tell her OF his triumph love scene
was imminent. why should he not
| kill them both?
Ilo acted upon tho thought lie
| crcpt toward the window again, halt
| Ing I'm tho shadow Of tall cypress
| outside Az he did no hG saw tho piB
| tol that Fr1mantle had laid down. II
lay hidden from his wife's Wow. but
| plain In MunsOn'H sight. behind pile
of books upon tho library table. And
| Munson remembered that II had not
been discharged
| His hand went out toward II. but
was arrested by his wIfo's words
"Whcro'B Jim" shN asked
81 think he has stepped outsIde.-
| anid t,r,unuiIr uuruurrruo1Iv
Edith MunR0n hcsItntcd. looked ut
| rrrmnutIc Then shc uut her hnnda
| ia her face and hrpnu Ia soh sorily
81 cant brnr II nny longer" ghc
| eoIJ "uorrv II h,a failed JIo docHnr
| care for mo you emit win love by
any such trick as that. Ilo Ia tired
of me. Harry"
mn snId FrcmoniIc brnyeIy "u
wna misunderstanding ON both
sho looked up quickly you have