South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-30

NO; you're afraid 10 accept. that's what
II IS You think you mightnt be able to see
Beatrice day after day without giving yourself
away. You're coward; but. look here-no
trespassing. you understand. No trying 10
seduce an honorable woman away from the man
she loves She does love me- or she wouldn't
have married me. She found you out, you-you
philanderer!"
''win you stop? Isn't this world big enough
20 hold both without our meeting? Car
mine, if you've any remnants OF decency in
your constitution. stop before you 90 too far
I might retsliate on you; l might say that It
was your work that caused Mrs. Carmine TO
come along to the conservatory that night but
I'll say nothing. You've won all along the
line and so. Tor Gods sake, be content with
that"
mot /. / want to yoI writhe in Hades.
man. l want 10 you bite your lip as you're
biting it now; want to see the torture in your
eyes as I see It now. I want Don't move.
you coward, don't move Here what are you
playing at? If you strike swear I'll call
for help"
"And not a living soul would help you but
me. and shouldn't heed the cry You forget
that we're alone, before God and-and for the
1
Of yours to pulp! You'll taunt me with what
I've lost, will you? You'll use your wtfes
sacred name to hurt me, will you?" The mans
restraint had vanished: he was in a dangerous
mood.
Yes, I'll use my wife's name as | like. I
don't want any of your cursed interference. a
mans got right to do what he likes with his
own, hasn't he? And. look here. while we're
on the subject, don't let's have you shopping
around the house after dark and peeping in at
the windows How do know you're not after
the silver? BAH penniless. ruined wastrel.
thant you'll"
"Carmine, warn you you're going too far"
I'm telling the truth. You we're spying in
at the dining room window last night whilst
were at dinner. l you II you weren't
why are you flushing like that?" There was
truth in II. Lancaster had been guilty Of
clandestine visit to the grounds of the Hail.
for he had been seized with an overwhelming
desire to feast his eyes on the fair face Of the
woman he loved and had lost
Thought I'd hit the mark II find you
there again I'll horsewhip you like a dog. I've
mind to do It now. Yes, by Jovei why not?"
He lifted the 1.-the cane he carried. and an
uger expression than ever crossed his face.
He had not noticed that because OF his moving
to and fro in front Of Launcester the pair had
gradually approached the verge OF the cliff,
protected, IL is true. at this spot by a wooden
railing, but VIGOROUSLY unsafe Blinded by his
own weak anger, Csrmine smote Lancaster
across the face with his cane, and that was the
final straw that broke the mans sefcontrol
and set his anger loose. devastating force.
You hound! You'll pay for that" Laun-
cester gasped out the words and hurled himself
on Carmine like thunderbolt, snatching at
his throat, showering blows into his face
Here, let up. you coward; you're bigger
than / am. Let up. say" Protests were in
vain; the blows came heavier than before.
Launcester's anger fed on itself: he was for
the moment mad
Carmine fastened to him desperately, and
the pair swayed madly on the very edge OF
destruction. II did not matter 10 Lancaster II
death did find him out then; he had lost all
that made existence worth while But ne must
silence this loathsome rat; he must curb the
poisonous tongue OF what use was II to try
and live a decent. honorable life. when his
efforts after decency were held up to derision
in this shameful fashion? And he had tried.
Only he himself and his God knew how he had
tried.
'Launcester. let up. you fool" He deaf
% the appeal; he frightened hts grasp. The
men writhed madly for a second, then fell with
a crash to the ground and rolled over. An
upright post. rotted to the core by the rains Of
many years received their bodies and served
to check their impetus momentarily; for an
other second they struggled and then there
sullen snap Of overburdened wood; there
sustchng at earth that crumbled away
beneath the clutching fingers; there was a loud
scream Of deadly fear, a deep cry Of alarm,
and Lancaster was alone on the cliff top cling
ing weakly to what remained OF the post
Inch by inch. like man in a trance. he
dragged himself away from the perilous brink.
his heart slogging Sunocatingly, his brain in a
whirl. What had happened? Even he
could not wholly realize II all There had been
a struggle-yeS but where was-where was
Carmine? He had been there a moment be-
fore, and now he was not; he had vanished into
the roaring space beneath the summit. and he,
Laun lester. was the murderer No, not that.
The man richly deserved all that he had got.
Death too good for him. But-but there
was Beatrice, and there was himself And
what thrice-accursed fool he had been, II
only he had taken TO his heels and run from