UNKNOWN

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 77

UNKNOWN

Air Blenkinsop came home with a serious face. Airs B. saw in an instant that something was the matter. He turned his face away when she attempted to plant the warm kiss of greeting on his lips. Her soul sank within her. It was the first time he had repulsed her.

"Jabez, she said, eagerly, "tell me what it is. Has your love grown cold? Treat me frankly. It is better to know the truth than bo kept in suspense."

He kept his. head averted for a minute, his lip trembled, then he said :

"Oh, heavens, Mr 3 8.. how can you wear that mask of deceit when I know all?" "All what?"

"Spare me the sad recital," he continued: "there are some thing? better left unsaid."

"I will not spare you ; I insist on knowing what you mean. Tell me, and at once. Some perjured villain has abused your mind."

"Alas, no!" he said; "I was an eyewitness of it all. Do not add deceit to your other crimes. I was there and saw it."

"Saw what?" she cried. "What have you seen? Are you mad?"""

"Calm yourself, madam, I saw you—" you, the wife of my bosom — when you did not think my eye. was on you. You were in town mingling with the giddy throng. He was hurrying on. You beckoned to him. You mado telegraphic sign 3 until you attracted his attention.

"Merciful powers 1" she gasped.

"You see, I know all," he continued. "You did this in the public street. At first he would have gone on and disregarded you, but you were importunate. You oaughfc his eye; you beckoned. He smiled", and 3 r ou went down the thoroughfare together." " ITis false ; as false as can be." "Madam, it is too true; I tell you I saw it. Let us have no more nonsense; about it."

Then she sank upon the- sofa. A_ga!n H-a turned his head to hide his emotion. Th« diamond tears began to come through b« fingers. Helplessness, indignation, and shaar.e wer-e struggling together in her soul. Suddenly she looked up. "Perhaps, sir, you will tell me who h-9 '"Certainly," replied the wretch. "He was the driver of a Brixton omnibus." Then he suddenly went out of the door, as if fearful that one of the statuettes would fly after him.