Year: 1874

"1t is unnecessary to deny my accusation,
said Mcdonald, emphasizing every word he
uttered II witnessed the murder with my
own eyes, 1 will write my deposition to that
effect tonight, and give it to Dalaval. can
trust him. Nothing you can do or say will
prevent his fulfilling my last bequest If l
die tomorrow, I will leave this injunction on
him. I will bid him watch your course with
the most inexorable diligence. J. will adjure
him to be Cecelias protector, whenever the
time comes when you forget that yo,lr first
duty is to protect her! Dare to abuse her, or
your position toward her, and when she shall
say to DaIaval Save me- that day, so help
me God my deposition will be placed in the
hands of magistrate, and your doom will be
sealed. Besides, the woodland will shortly
echo the murder committed in its shades"


At these words Gadbury lifted up large
iewel-hilted poniard and started toward Nc
Donald, who, folding his arms and eyeing him
steadily, said calmly


"One body is enough to have in your way
just at present"


Gadbury let the poniard fall from his infu-
rated grasp, and said violently, although his
voice quivered as though he would break
down any moment


"You are the guilty man-not l.. [ was
the instrument you-you were the murderer !
The woman knew the infamous secret of the
shame of the woman I once called my wife.
If she came to her death by my hand, it was
involuntary on my part Ifyou are gentle
man, knowing the circumstances as you do,
you will not dare to denounce me! 1t would
be an act of the most dastardly cowardice; for
it would not only condemn me, but it would
eternally blight the woman you ere while
loved, and in whose fate you were interested y


II am conscious of everything. love my
good name, too; but I will expose it"


"But I am her husband, and"


"Iknow all that And l know, moreover,
that the law will be on your SIDE Ifyou in
woke the power of the social world, it will un-
doubtedly answer your appeal;i will glory
in aiding you to crush down and trample upon
a helpless woman! I have loved her, and
love her ,ow with passionate and intense
devotion you were never capable of feeling ;
and yet I will be powerless to aid her. 1f1
lived would be forced to maintain silence, in
acknowledgment of your legal right over her.
Dead, of course so absurd law would no
longer exist for me; and, dead, can place
myself bet,Oesn her and you. have not the
choice of weapons, but 1 did not shrink from
accepting the decree you named, and have
no chance to aid her, living; but to save her
from your vengeful brutalties, will expose
your murder. swear it., here, face to face,
before the fatal shot silences my voice forever,
I will inform on your


"You are cowardw gasped Gadbury, sink
ing into his chair.


Mcdonald regarded him with calm, unwa.
vering eyes, and said in deliberate tones


"Your insults are useless. Tomorrow one
of one us will die !; and mark what I tell you
If ItaN for your own salvation, you had best
pause then and there. For myself death has
no terrors but life for her must mean liberty,
respect, and peace. Reflect we'll before you
outrage her; for let the time come when i t
will, my shadow from the tomb will fall over
you, shutting you out from life forever, and
she will be free"