"
And then followed a bitter laugh.
"If you had done as I wished, and remained in Rochester, it would have
been much better."
"Do you think so?"
"Certainly I do."
"You wish me to return?"
"I do."
"That you may make love to this girl you have the cheek to tell me is
crazy? Bah! I tell you there's method in her madness. I believe you have
pretended to be a single man, and that, as you ruined and murdered
Victoria Vane, you would ruin and slay this beautiful girl. I will not
permit you to do it!"
"What! You will step in and destroy my plans? By Heaven you shall not! I
will strangle you first!"
She uttered a terrified scream as he sprang at her, and clutched her
throat furiously.
CHAPTER XV.
HIRAM SHANKS.
"Help! Murder!"
It was a startling cry that echoed through the grounds and fell on the
ear of the man who was passing.
He listened a moment, but the sound was not repeated.
Vaulting the fence, the man hastened in the direction of the
summer-house.
He soon gained a position where his black eyes took in a somewhat
startling scene--a tall, slender man bending over the prostrate form of a
woman, the latter lying still and white on a low, wide bench.
Pages:
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118