Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-22

this moment of awful enlightenment
all the events of the hour In which we
sat there playing for the possession of
our child. Now / recalled that IS l
made my way along those rocks.
sound had struck my ear from where
some stunted bushes made shadow in
the moonlight. The wind might have
caused II, or some small night creature
hustIing away at my approach: and to
some cause l must at the time have at
tributed it. But now. with brain fred
by suspicion, II seemed more like the
quick intake of human breath. Some
one had been lying there in wait.
listening at the one loophole in the
rocks where 1t was possible to hear
what was said and done in the heart of
the grotto. But who? who? and for
what purpose this listening: and to
what end did it lead!
Though / no longer loved even the
memory OF my wife. felt my hair lift
as I asked myself these questions.
There seemed to be but one logical an
struggle followed by death. The shoe
fallen from her foot, the clothes found
folded in her room (my wife was never
orderly, and the dimly blackened
wrists which were snow-white when
she dealt the cards-all seemed to point
to such a conclusion. She may have
died from heart failure but a struggle
some mans strong fingers had been
locked about her wrists. And again
Tire question arose. Whose?
ITO linger thereto look-almost tore
my soul from my body. 1 fingered In
the grotto and looked and this is what
I found by way of reward.
Behind q projecting ledge of stone
from which a tattered rug still hung
came upon two nails driven a few feet
apart into assure of the rock. I had
Ivfy al nat
for a certain gymnssttc attachment
much In vogue a. the time. and on look
ing close. l discovered hanging from
them the rope-ends by which I was
wont to pull myself about. So far
there was nothing to rouse any but
innocent "reminiscences. But when I
heard the dogs low moan and saw
him leap at the curled-up ends. and
nose them with an eager look my way.
] remembered tho dark marks circling
the wrists. and the world went black
before me.
when consciousness returned-when
could once more move and see and
think. noted another fact. Cards were
strewn about the floor. face up and in
a fixed order as II laid in q hooking
eyes: and near the ominous half-circle
they made a cushion from the lounge,
stained horribly with what I then
thought to be blood. but which ! after
WdEns round TO De WINE. vengeance
spoke in those ropes and in the care
fully spread-out cards, and murder in
the smothering pillow. Tho vengeance
OF one who had watched her corrodinK
influence eat the life out OF my honor
and whose love for our little Roger was
such hat any decd which insured his
continued presence in the homo APP
peared not only warrantable but obIiga-
tory. Alas. l knew of but ono person
in tho whole world who could cherish
feeling to this extent or possoss suf-
hcent will power to carry her lifeless
body back to tho house and lay II in
her bed and give no sign OF the abomi-
nable act from that day on to this.
Mics Strange. there are men who
have q peculiar conception Of duty. My
father"
You need not 20 on" How gently
how tenderly our Violet spoke. II UNI
derstand your trouble"
MY father was in the hall the day I
came staggering in from my visit to
the grotto. No words passed, but our
eyes met and from that hour I have
seen death In his countsnance and he
has seen 1t In NINE like two opponents
each struck to the heart. who stand
facing each other with simulated smil AZ
till they fall. Ny father has aged much
since that day hvs weeks ago; and to
see him die and not be sure is more
than I can hold UP under. Cannot you
help me then to positive knowledge:
T2a3n10 \ vomonAe mind V strangely