Evening journal., 1922-08-25
CONTINUED From Our Last Issue)

kent him within certain boun6s
Yes, 1 kept him outwardly decent
and perhaps now 1 was becomin
Ike the caniibal who keeps his vic
tim in good condition for his owl
ends. I used to gloat over Mark
thinking how utterly he was min
to ruin as 1 pleased, financially
morally, whatever way would Civ
me most satisfaction. I had but 4
take nv hand away from him and
he sank. But again was IN M
hurry.
Then he killed himself. That fu
tile little drunkard. eaten up with
his own selhshness and vanity. Of
fered his beastliness to the trues
and purest woman on this earth. Yor
have seen her, Mr.. Gillingham, but
you never knew Mark Albeit Ever
If he had not been a drunkard. there
was no chance for her OF happiness
with him.
"I had known him for many years
but never once had I seen him
moved by any generous emotion. To
have lived with that shriveled little
soul would have been hell for her;
and a thousand times worse he'll
when he began TO drink.
80 he had to be killed. I was the
only one left to protect her, for her
mother was in league with Mark to
bring about her ruin. I would have
ehot him openly for her sake. and
with what giadless. but had no
mind TO sacrifice. myself needlessly.
He was in my power; I could per-
suade him TO almost anything by
hattery; surely It would not be DIM
cult to give his death the appear
ance OF an accident
Il need not take up your time by
telling you Of the many plans I made
and rejected. For some days I in
clined toward an unfortunate boat
ing accident IN the pond-Mark. a
very Indifferent swimmer, myself al
most exhausted in a gallant attempt
TO hold him up.
And then he himself gave me the
idea, he and Miss Norris between
item, and so put himself in my
hands; without rick OF discovery, I
should have said. had you not die
covered me.
we were talking about ghosts.
Mark had been even more vain,
pompous and absurd than usual and
could see that Miss Norris was ir-
ritated~ by Il. After dinner she eug-
gested dressing up as a ghost and
frightening him. thought It my
duty to warn her that Mark took
any Joke against himself badly. but
she was determined to do It. gave
way reluctantly. Reluctantly. also, I
told her the secret OF the passage.
There is an underground passage
from the library to the bowling
green. You should exercise your in
genuity, Mr. Gillinghan. in trying TO !
discover It. Mark came upon It by
accident year ago. II was a god |
send to him; he could drink there ini
greater secrecy. But he had TO tell |
me about II. He wanted an audi !
ence, even for his vices.
II told Miss Norris, then. because /
Il was necessary for my plan that |
Mark should be thoroughly fright
ened. Without the passage she could |
never have got close enough TO the 1
bowling green to alarm him proper
ly. but as arranged it with herI
she made the most effective appear
once. and Mark was in just the state
OF rage and vindictiveness which I
required. Miss Norris, you under
stand, is a professional actress. I
need not say that 10 her I appeared
10 be animated by no other feeling
than a boyish desire to bring off a
good Joke-a joke directed as much
against the others as against Mark.
He came 70 me that night, as I
expected, still quivering with indig-
nation. Miss Norris must never be
asked to the house again; was to
make a special note of it; never
again. 1t was outrageous. Had he
not a reputation as a host to keep
up. he would pack her OF next
morning.
Il comforted him. I smoothed
down his ruffied feathers. She had
behaved very badly, but he was !
1uite right; he must try not to show ,
how much he disapproved of her.
And OF course she would never come
again-that was obvious. And then ;
suddenly began to laugh. He !
ooked UP at me Indignantly
Is there a Joke?" he said coldIy. ;
l laughed gently again.
was Just thinking I said. (.
tnat IT would be rather amusing II 7
'ou-well. had your revenge r
Ny revenge? How do you
nean?'
FrTT 7
;oin., ~ !, :,
DO you mean try and frighten t
ler?' .
No, no; but dressed I'D and $
'ulled her leg a'bit. Made her look n
fool in front OF the others
aughed TO myself again. Serve her L
oily well right n
He jumped up excitedly. Il
By Jove. Cayl' he cried. II I r
ould! How? You must think OF a h
yay.' a
Il don't know II Beverley has told n
ou about Marks acting. He was p
n amateur of all the arts. and vain q
his little talents. but as an actor o
e seemed TO himself most wonder 81
ll. Certainly he had some ability o
DR. the stage. so long as he had the OF
age to himself and was playing 10 W
n admiring audience. As a profess
onal actor in small part he would NJ
ave been hopeless; as an amateur C
laying the leading part, he deserved eI
i that the local papers had ever e
I'D about him, ~
And so the idea of giving us a -,