Page:The Mystery of Central Park.djvu/220

214 unusual. I walked out of the house, first telling Lucille to lock the door and walk around the corner on Fifth Avenue, where I would get her.

Before starting, however, I asked Lucille to drink a glass of wine with me. I put in hers a sleeping potion, and she raised it to her lips, saying:

"Here's to our happiness."

I put my wine down untasted.

Then she came to me in an affectionate way I had once admired, and raising her veil, said:

"Tolman, kiss your little one."

I folded her in my arms. My heart beat quickly, my breath came painfully. I held her close to my breast, I kissed her soft, warm lips regretfully.

"Lucille," I said, pleadingly, "will you go back to your home and forget you wanted to be my wife?"