Rich people -- Fiction; United States -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
"No--I'm all right," Lorraine said huskily.--"It is well for you to
hear before she wakes.--I was restless after dinner. I didn't wait
for Cameron; I went for a walk, leaving word for him to remain until
I returned. I don't know how long I walked, but presently I was aware
that I was before Stephanie's home.--The lights were burning--the
shades were drawn. I went in on the piazza, with no purpose, nothing
but a desire to see her--you understand? As I passed this window, I
noticed the door to the enclosed piazza was ajar.--I pushed it open
and entered. I heard a queer sound in this room, like persons in a
struggle. I dashed across--and saw--saw Stephanie flung upon that
couch, and Amherst bending over her. For an instant I was paralyzed!
I saw Stephanie try to force him back; heard him laugh in triumph and
say something. Then action came to me and I hurled myself upon him.
We fought all over the room--you can see how we fought--he to get
loose, I to get a grip on his throat and choke the life out of him.
I must have had the strength of a demon, for Amherst, I think, is
the stronger man. How often we fell, I do not know--sometimes he was
under, sometimes I was. And all the while, 'Kill him! Kill him!' was
ringing in my ears.... We went down again, I on top.--My hand touched
the candlestick--I grasped it and struck.--I would be striking him yet
if you had not stopped me." He got up slowly, his face unnaturally
flushed.--"I'll go to the police station and give myself up. Let
the carrion lie where he is until the officers come. You look to
Stephanie--it's better----"
He staggered, put his hands to his head, swayed a moment, then pitched
forward to the floor, and lay quiet.
"Good God!" cried Pendleton.
Springing to Lorraine's side, he tore open his waistcoat and placed a
hand over his heart--no beat responded. He listened!--It was silent.
Lorraine was dead.
He looked at Stephanie--she was still insensible. What should he do?
Two dead men, an unconscious woman, and himself! What was best for
_her_?
An instant he thought.--Then he strode across, and was gathering her in
his arms to bear her from the room when she opened her eyes.
She gave a gasp--saw who held her--the startled look vanished--and she
smiled.
"Montague!" she said weakly. "Montague! How did you get here--how----"
She caught sight of the two forms on the floor--stared--then shuddered
in sudden remembrance.
"Dead!--Both dead!" she whispered. "Let me down, dear--I'm not----"
"You must come away," he said, putting her down but keeping his arm
around her. "This is no place for you, sweetheart."
She suffered his arm to remain, and stood looking at Lorraine--Amherst
she had recoiled from in horror!
"They killed each other?" she questioned faintly.
"No--Lorraine killed Amherst--and then was stricken either by apoplexy
or a heart attack--the victim of his own frenzied emotions."
"I see!" she whispered.--"I see!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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