ON THE BRINK OF A CHASM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3338, 3 October 1911, Page 3

ON THE BRINK OF A CHASM.

I «• - /(By L. T. Meade, author of “A Soil of Ishmael.” etc.) A RECORD OF PLOT AND PASSION. CHAPTER LXVI. , THE SIMPLE 'TRUTH. “They are going to exhume the little body,” continued Mrs Pelham, who was now crying bitterly. “They are going down to Pelham Towers, and they will open the little coffin, and the doctor employed’ by the Crown—for, of course, the Crown prosecutes in a case like this—will examine the child’s body. Even in his grave my darling must not rest in peace. . They will have to do this in order to prove whether the child really swallowed the poison or not.” “Who has told you all this?” asked Barbara. She began’ to tie the strings of her cloak with trembling; fingers. “Luke Tarbot of course. Where are you going? I am truly sorry for you. I know that you at least are perfectly innocent.” “I wonder you think, so,” said Barbara. “1 would almost rather you did not. If Dick could do such a monstrous crime, why should' mot I connive at it? I am going away, Mrs Pelham.” “Where to?” “It does not matter to you, for you are Dick’s enemy—Dick, who loved you! But stay, Dick himself had suspisions. He suspected Dr Tarbot.” “That is one of the strong points against Mm ; Barbara. His causeless Suspicions, his restlessness, his acute misery after the death of the child 1 have been strongly commented on and will prove a powerful lever against him. What earthly motive would Dr Tarbot have in injuring the child?” “Ah, that I hare to find out,” said Barbara- “Well, goed-bye. I am thankful I came to town. My Dick Yes, the accusation is too monstrous. Goodbye.” Lady Pelham left the room without touching Mrs Pelham’s hand. She went into the street. Her eyes were bright; she held iberself erect; she did not look like a woman stricken down. Now was the time to act. Once or twice as she walked in l the direction of Harley street she even laughed to herself. She soon- roaohd Dr Tarbot’s house end rang the bell. /‘ls Dr Tarbot in?” slie asked of tbe servant. “Yes, ma’am. What name shall I say ” “Lady Pelham. I wish to speak to him iramediatly.” The man stared at her with undoubted curiosity—curiosity so great that even- the mask which he was, as a servant, obliged’ to wear, was lightly liftedHe showed Barbara into the waitingroom and went to inform bis master. Ins an instant he came back, threw open the door for Lady Pelham, saidi that Dr Tarbot would see her, and took her into the consulting room. Tarbot came eagerly forward—hie face very white and very thin, his lips parted. Barbara went straight up to him. “I have just seen Mrs Pelham,” she said, “and she has told me. every thing. Sot you are in this—you came down to Pelham Towers for the purpose of putting suspicion into Mrs Pelham’s mind. You have ‘caused my husband to be arrested on this most false charge.” “There is no use in taking matters in that spirit, Lady Pelham,” said Tarbot. “Tbe magistrate who examined 1 your husband this mlorning does not agree with you in calling tbe charge false.” “It is a trumped-up charge against one of the best meni God ever made,” said Barbara. “You cannot prove it.” “I will prove it yet. But what I have come about now* is to ask why you have interfered in this matter.” “What do you mean?” “Why did you get-Mrs Pelham to prosecute my husband ?” “I only told her the simple truth-. I could l not do otherwise —the burden rested too heavy on my soul.” “Your face belies your words. You did not do it for that reason.” An evil spirit leaped out of Tarbot’s eyes; he came closer to Barbara. Barbara. did not repel him. On the. contrary, she looked full into his face- “ You have uot answered my question,” she saidi. “Even l granted that thei’e was truth in what you said, why should you he the one to take the initiative?” . , “D<> you really want to know?” His voice had. dropped now to a low tone, his white lips trembled. Suddenly Barbara felt his hand laid 1 heavily on her shoulder. She did not shrink from his touch. “Shall I really tell you?” he repeated. , “Yes.”- ' “I did this because of you. I loved you, and you treated me with scornIf yon had married me 1 could, have been a. good man;.' As it is I am a bad one.. I was glad 1 to have this handle against ydur' husband. Having discovered the truth, I was glad to ! incite Mrs Pelham to prosecute. Why ? Because it hurt you—it hurt you.” The touch of his hand felt like fire. Barbara noticed it for the first time,; . “Let me go,” she said. ‘>‘l will not." My moment of triumph has qome, and I shall take it-.” The next instant he had flumg his arms round her*, and was pressing his burning kisses on her lips. “Tliis is my triumph,” lie repeated.

l “You cannot 'help yourself. You .are his wife, and yet I kiss you- You drove me mad, but this is my hour of triumph. I loved you, and you treated , me with scorn. Yes, I am bad now, and you are the cause. ' When your husband hangs for this crime ,my revenge will bo complete.” ; “Your are a monster, and I treat you j with tlie contempt you deserve,” cried Barbara. “Touch me again if you dare!” She extricated herself from his grasp -with a sudden quick movement. “My husband. will be cleared,” she said. “As there is a heaven above, he is innocent, and I defy you, Dr Tarbot. , Don’t keep me, sir.” She left the noom. (To be Continued To-morrow.)