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Show i "Was it from revenge or Jpalousv? Both "You had heard of his devotion to the lady at Sea View? BY WHOSE HAND ? By EDITH SESSIONS TUPPER, Aulhor of By a Malt Braadtk ," Tha Black Diamond Coprritbt, 1881. br Willard frackn C Coprriiht, CHAPTER XII. Continued. I shall never forget the picture I saw as I entered Bojanta's reception room. She stood directly under the biasing chandelier, dressed in a trailing, blacK gown, on which were embroidered golden serpents. It was open at the neck and revealed the long, graceful throat and swelling breast. The sleeves fell apart at the shoulder and hung to the hem of her skirt. On her long, slender arms glistened bracelet after bracelet In the form of snakes. Her black hair was studded with pins serpents heads, with diamonds and rubles for eyes. By the side of a low, broad, luxurious divan of orange velvet, stood a table loaded with flowers, fruit, wine and liquors. I marked all these preparations for my subjugation, as well as the exultant expression on face, with a cynical eye. She took both my bands in hers and warmly pressed them. As soon as I was seated she lighted her cigarette and flung herself in voluptuous easo upon her divan. Resting her head upon one slim arm, she smoked and stared at me. Why have you not come before? she asked. Every day I have thought of you, your beautiful face, your fair hair, your eyes ah ! 1 have so wished will, 1 1000, released Yes. Etc. by Siraet 4 Smith. my senses from the lethargy which was surely enthralling them. I was dealing with a demon, not a woman. I must light her with her own weapons. Hanging on a chair near me was a long yellow silk scarf or sash. It was but the work of an Instant to snatch it and seize Bojanta. There was a brief, wordless struggle, and then, panting, and at bay, sbe stood, her slender hands securely fastened behind her. ' 8he was not a pleasant sight, as with face livid with baffled and murderous hate, and pouring forth a torrent of furious Imprecation, she vainly writhed and tugged at her silken bonds. she burst Dog, monster, devil! forth, what do you mean? What Is it that you wish? speak, wretch! I welcome you to my house. 1 offer you the happiness most men seek. You insult me make me a prisoner in my own roon)s. Why is It? why have you bound me? I will tell you presently what I I have wish, I calmly replied. bound your hands lest they should You were about do great mischief. to loosen that cobra upon me, as you did the one which killed poor Rex Dalrymple. tor you. At these words sbe shivered and I pleaded my many business en- cowered Into chair. Her nerve was gagements as an excuse. forsaking her. "How did you chance to come toI do not know what you mean, she muttered. Who was Rex Dalrymnight? she suddenly asked. "I knew you were to be alone, I ple ? answered. I came, and standing before my Her eyes glittered triumphantly. captive, grimly surveyed her shrink"Ah! you cared then. I feared ing figure and recoiling eyes. otherwise. You seemed so proud, so I "You may rightly ask who he was, oold, so contemptuous when you were I said, "for you know only too well last here. I wondered if you were that he is not. You know who he really as scornful, as indifferent as was; you know, moreover, you were you appeared. I wondered if you had his mistress and his murderess. ever loved Here she made an ineffectual effort She broke off here, and, extending to brazen it out. her hand, laid it on mine. It was I do not know of what you talk, . Burritt that you carry it about your Bo-jant- "You went to his room the night of his death. Was it by his appointment? No. I went there to tell him what I had heard. He was nearly drunk, and was angry at me for coming. Told me to leave the room; he, was sick and tired of me." . I "Did any one enter the room while you were there? "Yes, his wife. "Did she see you? "I think so, though I do not know, I hurried out. "In your haste, you tore your gown, - . did you not?" Yes." Is this the piece? "Yes." "At wbat hour did you loosen the , snake? "It was half past two when I left my room. "You scattered arrac root in Mr. Dalrymples room, did you not? "Yes. "To tempt the cobra? "Yes. "Did Dalrymple stir in his sleep? "No, he was too drunk! "I believe thats alt, I said musingly; "now you must sign this, and I drew out the confession I had prepared, which was in substance a recapitulation of all that she bad told me, and read it to her. "I will not. Yes. you will, or spend this night and many more in prison. "Wbat will you do with this confession? "I want your confession to read to his family. No other use will be made of it. as his wife wishes no publicity. If you sign it, you will be allowed 'to depart at once for Australia. If you do not, you will, as I said before, go to prison 8he glowered at me Now choose. and tore again at the scarf which tied her hands, but finding she was helpless, she "at last completely shrugged her shoulders and said, "I suppose I must submit, as you are stronger than 1, and as I am a prisoner. Give me the pen and ink. She directed me to her desk and I brought a pen to her. I then unfastened her right hand, keeping, however, the sash still knotted about her left wrist and in my grasp. She hassignatily scrawled her spider-llkture, and then turning fiercely upon me, tried to wrench her imprisoned hand from my hold. "Leave my she stormed, house Instantly, "you (To be continued.) -- , CHAPTER III. Continued. Mr. Burritt was puzzled and expressed as much by his looks. Why on earth did the man come stealing into his room in that strange, uncomfortable manner, and at that hour, and for no apparent purpose? His friend seemed to read what was passing In his mind. I am sorry if I have disturbed you, he said, slowly, "but I could not bear my own He thoughts any longer, and so I turned to leave the room. Mr. Burritt followed him with his eyes. He still seemed to him to be part of his dream his strange, horrible dream. Then, as the other man reached the door, and passing through it, closed it behind him, he gave a gasp of relief. The next moment he had crossed the floor and turned the key in the lock. I could have sworn I had locked it before, be said to himself. "At any rate there shall be no mistake this time, as he shot the bolt to make matters doubly sure. CHAPTER IV. "The Secret Lies Between Us Two. Next morning Mr. Silas Burritt. and his friend, whose incognito is still preserved, were seated at breakfast together. In the clear light of day, in the presence of the most appetizing viands, the former gentleman found his mind completely divested of all those gloomy and distrustful thoughts and suspicions which had caused him so much disquietude previously, to say nothing of having ruined his nights rest It was astonishing what a. widely different view he took of the matter as he discussed this early meal. His heart warmed anew toward his old friend, who sat fact lg him, and who also appeared to more advantage under these more cheerful e CHINAMAN person? The other nodded. "Look here! he said, "Ive lived a rough sort of life in a wild part of the world, for the last twenty years. Ive seen men shot down by my side, in a refreshment saloon, more than once, and more than once had a narrow escape from a similar fate myself. In fact sinking his voice "I dont mind owning to you that on one occasion I have also say that I have not done badly killed my man in mind, myself. I have made my pile, too not such a large one as yours, prob- he added, hastily, seeing the look of ably, but at any rate, I have the sat- horror which, for a moment over isfaction of knowing that, if anything spread his friends face. In he repeated, with emphasis, should happen to me this with an and with the odds three to one accession of seriousness "I should leave my family well provided for. I Where should I have been then but have had my ups and downs as well for my revolver? As it mas, I cleared as others; but I have no fear of the the world of at least one ruffian. And no one I mean future. No one thought any the worse of He spoke these last words quite I assure you. Indeed, with a me, of unconscious the ignorconfidently, faint smile, the first Mr. Burritt had ance and rashness of the assertion. seen upon his face, lurking for a mo"By the way he continued, after a ment round the corners of his mouth as a bad a while, "are you sleeper, even had a testimonial presented rule, or was last night an exception, to "Ime by some of the leading citizens as in my own case? of the place,. thanking me for ridding It was no exception, unfortunately, for me, was the answer. ' "I am a them of such a pestilent charm cter- as wretched sleeper, and last night was Black Jake which was the name,' the s worse than usual. At the same time villain went by. Mr. Burritt heard him throughout with an air of restraint or awkwardness "I had no business to disturb with astonishment, mingled vith a faint sensation of horror. It seemed you in the way I did. "Dont mention it, said Mr. Burritt hard to credit that the ealm middle-agedwell dressed man before him- carelessly, forgetting the very differ- his own hsd passed contemporary ent light in which the affair had apan as this; such experience octhrough of to at him the time its peared currence. Though you gave me and that the hand which he had shakrather a start at the moment, on en with so much cordiality had blood waking up suddenly as I did, and from upon it! Thank God! he cried, that we a very bad dream. I thought you seemed rather rest- have nothing of this sort in England. less and uneasy in your sleep, was There is no shooting people down in refreshment saloons in this country! the reply. Perhaps not, was the caustic re"Insomnia is one of the greatest curses I know, though, as a rule, I ply; "but, for all that, it struck me, do not suffer much from it myself. But on looking at the paper this morning, if, like Macbeth, you have murdered that you had got your own share of most of the crimes going and plenty sleep, you are much to be pitied. The other man started at the ill of Black Jakes, or their equivalents, too" sounding word. said Mr. Burritt, "Very likely, Murdered! he exclaimed; then "I beg your pardon, he muttered, some- with eyes still fixed on the revolver. would you mind telling what confusedly, "I did not take your meaning at first; in fact, I have al- me is that the same weapon that you used on that occasion you were speakmost forgotten my Shakespeare. I beg yours," said Mr. Burritt; the ing of I mean when you shot the quotation was most inapt I had also other er individual? "Meaning Black Jake? Yes, Im forgotten for the moment, that it was to the murder of Duncan that Mac- - happy to say it is. the very same. Mr. Burritt felt that he somehow regarded the article in question with less favor than ever. I suppose there isn't the least likelihood of its going off unexpectedly ? self-defens-e self-defens- , taste. I must say, he repeated, with a little perceptible irritation in his manner, that, in this Instance. I dont see the necessity for Good Tales Told of Recently Deceased 7 It was but the work with absolute horror that I felt that touch, and remembered that the hand which now so gently stroked my own was wont to fondle and toy with the scaly flesh of serpents. The cobras cage was directly back of the couch on which Bojanta lay. As she smoothed and caressed my hand, I remarked that the reptile became restless and enraged. It lashed against its cage, and its neck was inflated with anger. Bojanta lazily turned on her couch and laughed in a taunting fashion. she "Ah, ha! Inferna is Jealous, cried, "and well she may be. She knows she has a formidable rival. I will madden her now. Come to me and she slowly stretched her long white arms to me. Good God! what was I to do? go to the arms of this creature? Never! I sat motionless. "Come love, she murmured, You are cold. Or Is it that I must come to you? Do you wish that I should show you how much I love you? Be it so. Rising from her divan, she took a step or two toward me. Instinctively, I, too, rose. I knew a crisis was approaching. She stood now before me, her head thrown back a trifle, her half-shu- t eyes, gleaming with passion, on my face. In a low, caressresting ing voice she murmured a few seduo-tiv- e words, and then with an indescribable movement crept upon my breast, entwining her arms about my neck and lifting her parted lips to me. With ineffable loathing I flung this shameless wanton from me. She staggered from my repelling motion and nearly fell across her couch. Then I saw my mistake. Rising again, sh stood glaring at me. Her narrow forehead strangely flattened; her slanting eyes dilated and contracted; her. body swayed from side to side in uncontrollable rage. And now her eyes curlosly affected Evme. They held me erything faded away save the lissom figure in that barbaric gown. A sense of delicious ecstasy seemed to pervade my being an intensity of Relight, such as I had never experienced, enchained me. Keeping her eyes upon mine she toward the imperceptibly glided cobras cage. I saw that long, slim hand stretch toward its door Then I realized my frightful peril! With one tremendous effort of my of an instant she cried "Unbind defiantly. my hands this instant, or I will scream for my servants. 0 noi you wont I said decldely. You wouldnt like your servants to see you in such an ignominious poI will- - release you when it sition. pleases me. And when is that, beast? When you have answered the questions I propose to put to you. And if I will not? she flashed back. I shrugged my shoulders indifferently. "I shall simply secure you more firmly and go for the police. I dont believe you will enjoy a prison cell quite as much as these luxurious rooms, and, inconvenient as you find your silken fetters, I think you would prefer them to handcuffs. I could see my words were not without effect. She was frightened. I determined to take a high hand with her at once. Well then, she said sullenly, tell me what you are talking about I do not understand you. I am glad to see you are becomI will ing tractable. I answered. tell you all I know about you. You are known as Rama Bojanta, a Hin- doo You have another name Manola Montes. Under this last name you entered the service of Mrs. Reginald Dalrymple. as governess to her child, Mareele. Previous to this, you had been for some time the mistress of Mr. Dalrymple, who established you in handsome apartments In New York, during your engagement there at Madison Square Gardens. You led him such a dance that he would gladly have been rid of you, but you refused to be shaken off. You threatened him with exposure and public scandal, and he at last compromised with you by arranging that you ' should enter his houehold and spend the summer at his place below Sea View, on the Atlantic coast Matters went smoothly enough until you heard of his devotion to a certain lady who was staying at Sea View. Have I told my ? story correctly so far, Senorlta snake-charme- spell-boun- r. Mon-tez- i t I v-- 'N ; jLt. I What are you doing It is quite understood that you return with me and stop at least one night he remarked, genially. "In fact there is no escape for you, as I have already dispatched a telegram to let them know at home that I am bringing a friend back with me. "You are very good, Silas, was the reply, and for one night, at least, I will accept your hospitality." And you must come and stay with us while you are looking about for a house make us your headquarters, you know. Ive no doubt that the two girls, yours and mine, will be bosom friends in less than no time; and as for my boy Ted, hell be head over heels in love your daughter if she's anything like your description before we know where we are. Ha, ha! I shouldnt be a bit surprised the young dog! and his father laughed aloud, delighted at his own perspicacity. "By the way, Jim, relapsing into a more serious vein, that would not be A half bad idea your girl and my boy eh?" The other looked at him intently. "You mean it? he asked. "Mean It? Of course I do. Why -- notr In spite of of everything that has gone before?" Good heavens, man! what has the HAD SLAIN MANS SPIRIT. past got to do with your innocent daughter? That would be visiting the Child in India Believed to Have sins of the fathers upon the children ceived a Governor's Soul. with a vengeance." The other man looked at his friend, Many of the people of India are firm believers in the doctrine of the and his habitually stern face softened. You are very generous," he said; transmigration of souls. Of late considerable excitement has been caused more generous than I have a right to there by the strange story of an i n- expect cident which recently occurred in tae Come, come, answered Mr. Budistrict of Pegou. The natives there rritt dont talk like that, for heaven's suddenly became convinced that a, $ sake; dont let us begin it all over months-olchild was the reincarnation again. Your secret such as it is of the late Mr. Tucker, superintendent and this is the last allusion I Intend to of the district, who was killed by ban- make, or allow you to make, to it dits in 1894, and that moment the un- lies between us two; which is the conscious infant became the most im- same thing as saying that it is perfectportant personage in that part of the ly safe. country. Then, more for the sake of giving It was taken to the several places the conversation a more cheerful turn, in which Mr. Tucker had lived, agd, than for any other reason, he said: according to its attendants, its conI think you ' made some remark duct showed clearly that it remem- last night to the effect that you had bered all the incidents of its former made a large fortune If so, I am sinI cerely glad to hear it. life. Finally it was taken to the piles Yes," was the indifferent reply; I where Mr. Tucker was murdered, aid, am. speaking, what you the story goes that at the sight of he wouldcomparatively call a wealthy man, and my fatal spot it trembled all over and in her almost went into convulsions. Indeed, daughter will be an heiress its parents say that it would certajtiy way. T am very glad to hear it, said have died there if they had not hur Burritt heartily; and at the same Mr. 1 tied away with time sot that I wish to boast I may V f "Good Heavens! d , "Yes, came the muttered answer. "Very well. Now answer a few direct questions. Did you not uncage the cobra that killed Dalrymple?" "Yes." I -- he inquired, diffidently. Not unless I pull the trigger. was the careless response, and Im not likely to do that, unless you attack me first. The joke if joke it were struck Mr. Burritt as being in singular bad AS A HUMORIST. ' Celestial. Chinese as a race aije not generally credited with the possesion of humor, but Quong Tart, a celebrated Chinese merchant of Sydney, New South Wales, who died recently, was famous In the land of his adoption for his amusing sayings and doings. Once at a big public meeting, when the mayor of Sydney had concluded a vigorous appeal for funds, Quong convulsed the assembly by announcing in his high, chanting, broken English: "Money will make the mare to go! Quong Tart was much given to punning. and in his early days when asked why he did not marry would reply I have not yet enough jam on my tart When the $500 poll tax on Chinese was imposed by the New Quongs South Wales government, penchant for practical joktng found full vent On one occasion, when the vessel on which he was taking a trip to the north of the colony put in at its first port of call, Quong dressed himself to play the part of a stowaway Chinaman. With patches of mud on his clothes and his hat punched into a shocking shape, he affected to try to steal past the collector of customs, but that official promptly caputred him. Me ony wan go shore, wailed the innocent captive. One man he go shore; two, dree man he go shore. "No, no, Wy me no go shore? stern was the pay "you reply, John, a hundred pounds first! An altercation of several minutes ensued, plentifully bestrewed with me no savees Then, suddenly, with a from "John. few lightning touches transforming his personal appearance, and presenting his card to the astonished official, Quong revealed himself and received a cordial greeting. r f ? beth referred the assassination of the poor old man In his sleep. Later on in the day, just before starting to the station, Mr. Burritt, on looking at his watch, noticed that it had stopped. Then he remembered that he had forgotten to bring his watch key, and had, consequently, been obliged to omit the ceremony of winding it up the night - before. It occurred to him that his friend, who was packing his portmanteau in the next room, might be able to supply the deficiency. He left his own room and knocked at the door of the one adjoining. But the occupant of the apartment, whom he heard moving about within, apparently did not hear the knock, so, after waiting a few seconds, he turned the handle and entered. The other was standing in front of the dressing table and with his back to the door, so that his actions were reflected in the mirror. He was dressed, all but his coat, and was carefully examining some article which caught the light as he turned it over in his hand. He wheeled round suddenly, with a quick frown, on hearing the sound of the opening of the door and Mr. Burritts Involuntary exclamation of alarm when he saw how his friend was employed. Good heavens! he exclaimed, what are you doing with that thing? "My .dear fellow, said the other, regaining his composure instantaneously, what on earth are you making such a fuss about? Did you never see a revolver before? Of course I have, answered Mr. But Burritt, somewhat Indignantly. there, for goodness sake, put the thing down. I hate to see you trifling with it in that way. It gives me the oold shivers. You alarm yourself unnecessarily. I assure you I have not the slightest intention of blowing my brains out. Why on earth should I? I was merely examining the thing to see that it was all right "But but, stammered Mr. Burritt far from reassured, "you dont mean to say that you are in the habit of carrying firearms about with you? mimicked the "My dear fellow, I do it other, I dont merely say But why? was the question. In ease of Why?" he replied. emergencies. You never know when you may need it and I should never think of traveling without something of the sort "You mean to say, persisted Mr. it Very likely, you dont! interrupted the other, resuming his coat; but if you had been in the habit of carrying it about your person for as many years as I have, and always been accustomed to sleep with it under youi pillow, you would think no more of carrying a revolver than you would ' an umbrella or a watch. This remark served to remind Mr. Burritt of his original errand. He therefore explained the reason of his intrusion, and having been Accommodated by the loai of the desired article, turned oO' ieave the room agiin. Ho hesitated for a moment on threshold and cast another glance over his shoulder at his friend, who was doing something to the cherished weapon with a bit 'of oily rag. The latter looked up and met It. You dont really mean, Silas, that you are afraid to trust yourself in y company now that you know I carry a revolver? he asked, with another sudden frown. ? You dont surely (To be continued.) thex. A Cure for Sissies. ' ' One way for college athletes to qarn their expenses nowadays Is by acting as sort of male governesses, says the- Chicago Inter Ocean. Wealthy par-ents whose young sons are being edu-cated at home by governesses frequently apply at the employment 'Offices of universities for the services of some athlete who can give thefr boyB five or six hours a week of. companionship. They are afraid that the education of governesses alone may make their sons slssified. A number of athletes paying their own way through the various colleges have such jobs. Three or four mornings a wees, they go to the boys, romp with them, play ball, and during the winter skate and coast. Usually they are also employed in vacation to stay with the boys at their parents summer homes. One Northwestern student has held such a position for three i , years. When Charles Lamb Said Grace. Recently, when Edmund Clarence Stedman was visiting in New England, he was called upon by the head of the house while at dinner to invoke the divine blessing. I was rather surprised, and for half a minute sorely tempted, said Mr. Stedman in relating the incident Then I rose to the occasion and asked a grace which I remembered. But Mr. Stedman, demanded a young woman of the party eagerly, to what were you sorely tempted? To do as Charles Lamb, did under similar circumstances." And that was? He looked about the board and asked in his surprise: Is there , no clergyman present? The host shook his head. Then Lamb prayed: Tor this and all other mercies, O Lord, Mew York make us truly thankful. -- Times. ; |
