CHAPTER LV.— (Continued.)

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 103, 23 May 1885, Page 4

CHAPTER LV.— (Continued.)

Mrs Vkrnkll was very particular about her extra pots of flowers. No, laid on the wide window-sill would not do. She must have wedges of wood whereon to stand them, so that their leafy screen would extend just so high. For over an hour she kept Hilaria and Roberts busy with her orders and counter orders. When at length the gas was lighted, and the latter would have removed the tool-box, she put out her hand detainingly. The movement was purely involuntary. The next instant she recollected herself. "I was about to tell you I wa* not through with those ihingn The .-pani^h Kover is not trained halt way ; but you had hotter take down the box and bring it up in the morning." He did as bidden. Dinner was rather a gloomy repast, owing to the depressed spirits of the master of the mansion. Mrs Vernell, in a long sleeved, highthroated, trailing princesse gown of purplish silk, was all that was devoted to her husband, cordial to his sister. The Colonel drank a good deal of wine at dinner, which did not, however, seem to flush him at all. If anything, he grew more pallid. As he rose from the table he staggered slightly. In an instant hi* wife w-is beside him. "You are not well, James. Don't let such a trivial thing as mere money trouble excite you so." He thruat her almost angrily away. Much brooding was numbing every sensation save that of dread. "A mere money trouble!" he repeated. " What greater trouble can come to a man ? To lose at a stroke that for which one has striven a life time ! It is enough to drive one mad !" But she would not be repulsed. " Come up .-fairs and lie dow n, dear !" she pleaded, conscious how powerfully were her forbearnuce and tenderness impressing Miss Dorothy. "I believe 1 will," he absented. And then, playing right into her hand, "I'll take a strong sedative first. I'll be bunged if I'll spend another night lying awake and thinking ! " As she folio wed him up the grand stairway, her rich purplish draperies trailing behind her, she glanced back over her shoulder and nodded a regretful but smiling good-night to Mi&s Dorothy. The maid was busying herself about their room a? they entered. " You may go, Hilaria," Mrs Vernell said in a low voice. " I shall ring when I require you. The Colonel is quite ill." And then, as Hilaria hung up a few scattered garments in the cedarwood closet and prepared to go, she heard Mrs Vernell say to her husband : " Where is that sedative you spoke of, dear? Shall I get it for you f" Heard, too, his reply : "Yes, please. You will find it in m\ valiee." Then she left the room. Mrs Vernell searched, found the via' designated, procured.a little medicine-glass, and brought both to her husband " Hadn't you better go to bed. James ?" He measured out his usual dose, and returned her the bottle. "No," swallowing it. "I'm afraid Grimes may call again. If he does, I want to see him. I shall just lie down here for an hour or two. You may rouse me if he comes." In the bay-window was a wide lounge heaped with cushions. A little perplexed look came into his bride's black eyes as he flung himself down thereon. Right in the window embrasure ! There one could see distinctly from the street with the gas lighted within. Draw down the blind, close the shutter-? ' No, no ; that would never do. There mint be no evidence of concealment, nothing to arouse the very faintest suspicion All mustbe open and clear as day. The tragedy to be must be simply a case of the visitation of God. The great, evil-minded wot id must have no reason to suspect it other than thi*. F'But why need the gas remain lighted? The thought was an inspiration. "I shall putout thega-- 1 " she murmured. "You will sleep better, dear, without the glare in your eyes !" As she spoke she turned it out. And now the room wa», f-ave for the firelight, in complete darkness. She crossed over to the lounge, and sank down beside it. ♦'James !" sh'; whispered. Was he asleep already ? Her heart beat high. Silence. 41 James !" a tone louder. There must be no blundering— no awkward precipitation. She must be sure. This time he muttered a few words and Btirred restlessly. She began moving her velvety perfumed fingers over his forehead, over and downwards, drawing them lightly across his closed evp- a , all with the science, subtlety, and skill of a mesmerist. "James, dear !" And this time quite loud. But there was no reply. He plept soundly. She drew a long, hard breath. Noii' ! And there must be no outcry, no struggle— none ! Had he not said there would not be if fhe were only the woman he took her for ? Yes, yes ! she knew what that meant — cautious, reeolute, steel nerved But could anyone see from the opposite house or pavement ? No. The flickering firesbine was too dull to betray the interior of the apartment Here especially was shadow. How still he was ! He lay with hip face half buried in the cushions as she crouched on the floor beside him. How utterly he was at her mercy ! For just a moment she wished —Pshaw ' what madness to pause now ! All had been prepared, made clear for her A favourite line of hers recurred to her : " Our doubts are traitors, and make us luse 'he good we oft might win by fearing to attempt." Should she harbour traitor ? Just a little courage, Btrength, and after that Paris—Dennislove • She thrust her hand in her pocket. Stealthily therefrom she drew something which glittered as a ray of the fireshine touched it - a nail -long, slender, tapering. Still kneeling, she leaned toward the win-dow-sill, took therefrom one of the billets of wood used in raising and steadying her flower-pots -a wedge about three inches broad at the base, about ten long. Hark ! I 0 that a step on the stain ?

She holds her breath. Bui no. Profound silence. Shehadbeon mistaken. iVow ! Now for love ! now for freedom ! now for Dennis ' She raises her body upright She bends over the sleeping man. Her left hand is directly over his ear— close to it. The firm white fingers clutch an objeot which glints dully. Closer it is thrust— closer yet ! And now it is within the orifice of the oar . — held unflinchingly at a certain angle. And now the right arm swings up. Peering through the shadows, a keen, glittering eye measures accurately the distance. And now the muscles of the upflung arm stiffen, around the billot of wood the long, nervous fingers tighten ; and now tho blow comes down heavy, nerved, unfaltering, unerring. The man's inert figure leaps, sways, writhes, shudders convulsively, falls back — lies still!