Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-12
:. The Problems of Violet Strange---s akad5

This was the sfgnt Wnicn met VIC.
let's eyes from the bow of the small
boat In which DIR. Zabriskie and ms
wife were rowed over to Jersey on the
afternoon which saw the end OF TINS
most somber drama
The doctor sat with his wife In the
stern. and 1t was upon their faces Nio-
let's glance was fixed
On the seat in front of them sat an
inspector. and from some Quarter-pos-
sibly from under the inspectors coat
there came the monotonous ticking of
the small clock. which was to serve as
a target for the blind mans aim.
This ticking was all Violet heard.
though the river was alive with traffic
and large and small boats were steam
ing by them on every side. And am
sure that II was all that Mrs. Zabriskie
heard also, as. with hand pressed to
her heart and eyes fixed on the oppo-
which was to determine whether the
man she loved was criminal or only
a being affiicted of God and worthy OF
her unceasing care and devotion.
After they landed and walked into
the woods the doctor. to whom light
and darkness were alike. stood with his
face toward the western glow, and at
his side were grouped the inspector
and the two physicians.
Mrs. Zabriskie stood at the other end
OF the opening. near tall stump. upon
which it had been decided that. the
clock should be placed when the mo-
ment came for the doctor to show his
Skill She had been accorded the privi-
lege of setting the clock on this stump.
and Violet saw IL shining in her hand
as she paused for a moment to glance
back at the circle of gentlemen who
were awaiting her movements. The
hands of the clock stood at five minutes
to 8, though Violet scarcely noted il at
the time. for Mrs. Zabriskie was pass
ing her and had stopped to say:
ASK one of the inspectors to stand
right he
does not handle his pistol properly"
Violet promised, and she passed on.
setting the clock upon the stump and
Immediately drawing back to a suit
stood. wrapped in her long. dark cloak.
Her face shone CHASTITY white even
in its environment of snow covered
boughs, and. noting this. Violet wished
moment and the hour of 8. at which
time he was to draw the trigger
DR.. Zabriskie." quoth the inspector.
we have endeavored to make this trial
shot at a small clock which has been
placed within suitable distance, and
Wnlch You are expected to hit. guided
only by the sound which it will make
in striking the hour of 5. Are you sat
.isfied with the arrangement"
Perfectly. Let no one move. / must
have my ears free for catching the first
stroke of the clock" And he raised the
pistol before him.
There was a moment Of torturing sus-
pense and deep, unbroken silence yio-
let's eyes were on him. so she did not
watch the clock. but she was suddenly
moved by some irresistible impulse 10
note how Mrs. Zabriskie was bearing
nerself at this critical moment, and
casting hurried glance in her direc-
ton. she perceived her tall fgure sway
ing from side to side. as il under an in
toierable strain of feeling. Her eyes
he 81
seemed to creep with snail-Iike pace
along the dial. when. unexpectedly. and
a full minute before the minute hand
had reached the stroke of 5. Violet
caught movement on her part saw
the Hash Of something round and white
show for an instant against the dark.
ness of her cloak, and was about Ia
shriek warning to the doctor. when the
shrill, quick stroke of a clock rang out
on the frosty air. followed by the ping
and flash of a pistol.
A sound of shattered glass, followed
by a suppressed cry. told the bystand-
ers that the bullet had struck the
mark, but before any one could move OF
which the wind had blown into their
faces there came another sound which
made their hair stand on end and sem
the blood back in terror to their hearts
they now perceived was still standing
upright on the stump where Mrs. Ia.
briskie had placed it
Whence came the clock. then. which
mad struck before the time and beer
shattered for its pains? One quick lool
told them. on the ground. ten Daces Il
the right, lay Zulma Zabriskie a brok er
clock al her side, and in her breast !
bullet which was fast sapping the life
from her sweet eyes
They had to tell him. there was such
pleading in her looks: and never will
any of the hearers forget the scream
which rang from his lips as he realized
the truth Breaking from their mids,
he rushed forward, and fell at her feet
as if guided by some supernatural IN
stinct.
1t is not you who have killed me.
said Zulma: 1T is your crime Had you
been innocent of Mr.. Hasbroucks death
your bullet would never have found my
heart. Did You think / could survive
the proof that you had killed that good
man."
II did il unwittingly. =
Hush she commanded. II had an
other motive. / wished to prove to you
even at the cost Of my life, that loved
you. and always loved you. and not.
II was now his turn to silence her
His hand crept to her lips. and his des-
pairing face turned itself blndly to-
ward those about them,
Go" he cried; leave us. Let me