Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

Wl IK K.N'DINO 9< iy^5 33 PICTURES AND THE PICTUREGOER K, [in tfoSTIN KILL him vw ! at a tbiel'a table. . . . Heaven give me strength to reach town to-morrow to revoke, nu will." ,1 with the lossof friends, wealth, ami love, to become a convicted felon. -t\ n trembled. Th. poison "I' temptation instilled by Sadunah flowed through his veins, ami he girded bis determination to contemplate the deed. Tin' most trying meal either of them had ever sat through came to an end. The house-party retired to bed, and midnight saw the man and wife again facing the terrors of the situation. Mother-love surged through Sadunah. husband, pride of her own great reputation were nothing beside her daughters needs, and relentlessly she led her wavering husband to kill the old man and make abundant provision to meet the crisis. Desperate as was the need be-fore, now as she read the letter. " to-morrow to revoke my will," there could be no hesitation. "Kill him, Mostyn, before he can lea\e. Kill him now ! " But still her husband hesitated. "I cannot end the days of the dear old man. I would rather go down in disgrace." •'Disgrace! Do you realise what it means to us all ? But I will not be disgraced, neither shall Editha. You shall kill him. Come ! " And. forcing a revolver into his hand, Sadunah continued to plead so hard that he finally gave way. Together in the chill night air they climbed to the cottage. At the door he stopped and would return, but the woman whispered, '• Be brave. It is that or ruin. Go! " Almost falling. Mostyn stumbled into the cottage to commit unwillingly the crime to save them. Old Uncle Clifton was sleeping in the alcove with Mark ing uneasily on a couch outside. One report two reports ! The straining ears of the terrified Sadunah heard two shots! What did it mean ? Sadunah had overlooked the presence of the valet, and it was the man's rush to the side of his master when the shot was fired that led to his death on the steps. With the revolver still clutched in his nerveless ringers, Mostyn rushed out and told his wife what had happened. His terror was such that nothing could induce him to return and place the revolver in Mark's hand. " If you cannot, I can and v ill." said his wife as she entered the cottage and saw the results of the de ■! ■* blood Stoopiug dow n, ihe placed the revolver in the hand of the, dead valet, and then led h w broken*1 hush in I liaek to the obatean. In 1 1"' bedroom she Baw that the lace of her dress bad been torn and wondered. • • » • \\ hei the manservant from the chateau reached the cottage with the morning coffee he tailed to arouse the inmate-, and called the gardener, The crime was discovered, and the horrified servants ran back to the chateau, The guilt i pair had watched the proceedings, and as the alarm was given Mi '-t j n shuddered. •■ Be a man ! " whispered Sadunah. '• You are safe if you act the man." Willi well-simulated horror and grief thej received the dreadful tidings, and Mostyn accompanied the men of the party to the Boene. Laroche was one of the number, and when leaving the room be found the piece of lace missing from Sadunah's gown, and without a word placed it in his pocket. An inquiry was held, and o double verdict returned agains! the guiltless valet that he murdered lu< master whilst in a fit of delirium tremens and then committed suicide. So far all was well, but as the days passed Most vn. tortured by remorse, haunted by visions, and worn out by sleepless nights, was on the verge of a mental collapse. The day the solicitor called to read the murdered man's Will— the will husband and wife had done so much to save the climax was reached. As he leant over the table to s i g"n the documents Mostyn fancied he sawin the chair opposite him the man he had murdered. With a loud shriek he fell dead. • '# * A month passed, during which Sadunah could not wipe from her mind the memories of that awful night. Trying to forget, she spent hours with the young lovers, and was seated with them one morning when a letter reached her from Henry Laroche. saying that her late husband's affairs were now in order. As an executor it was his duty to make a thorough examination of a'l documents, and he had ascertained certain facts she knew of. They were so important that he was leaving at once for the chateau to confer with her. and also to discuss a matter which touched him closely. •■ What does it all mean ! " she asked herself, "lb cannot have discovered anything. and vet where is the letter which brought about the tragedj ';" 1 II dlie COUI 16 S idtlll ill lllet I. O who l>egau the interview l>j produein copj of t be v ei ili.-i at i he inuuesl and then, to | he iii all I her the letter w lllrll sllC | ,-u. | . I I •; I h.iv ing deal io\ eil. and t lie i ot laee ! It was too late; t he die C8Sl and -he mii-l liml a svaj \ Lai ■ '-lie was walkinu to the chiVteau be mel Editha ami Sundown launching a boat, The Imppj I" were rounding the point when tli tars launched bis t hunderbolt. The sight of t be l< n ers steeled the determination of Sadunah to light to the last. Laroche recognised tin-, ami at Olice d 'elareil It u K l:t ha I « ant . Give her to me, and I remain silent " No, no ; anything rather than that." cried the stricken tool hoi •■ Yen well, arrange mattei a like. I will come for my answer tonight." The strain of the rack was Sadunah's for liour-. Should she sacrifice ber dear Editha or herself? It was the supreme test of her mother-love, and the decision had to be taken. She wrote to the Karl that, for reasons she could not explain. it was no longer possible for Editha to marry his son. As the letter was completed Editha entered the room, and there was an affecting scene b dween mother and daughter, in which Sadunah mentally Buffered the tortures of the damned. No, she would not sacrifice her daughter's happiness and her own ambition for the girl, and she tore up the letter. When Laroche came for his answer Sadunah told him to do his worst. But See bpeakg vt his thh >at urn poshed tm man THROUGH THE FfNCH. \