Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-02-15

paired to his wife's apartment Meeting a
domestic at the door, he inquired if Mrs. ST.
Lucas was within. Lillias heard the words.
| How strangely they sounded. They struck
upon the throbhing heari-strings, and forced
the pale blood to her brow. Luis entered -
His countenance was wild and hagcard. Lii
has saw it. Oh, how her heart yearnad to oo
to him-so speak words Of comfort, of peace
Ito soothe, to bless, to caress ! To bend his
aching head TO her heart, and breathe her love
upon his lips. But she might not; she feared
repGlse. One hasty word to heaven, and
she stood by his side, and said in tone of
distress
''W hat is thematter, Luis? you are so pale
have you not exerted yourself too much =
and she started from the wild and wavering
glance he lifted to her, answering, as he grasp
ed her hand and drew her on a seat beside
him, where he had sank half exhausted.
''Sit down by me, Lillas, and will tell
you; and believe me when swear BY Heaven
that did not know till to-day that you were
the possessor of thousands; and l homeless,
hapless, Pitiable beggar."
"W hat mean you---oh, what mean you Lu-
is % the young wife asked, with visible trep-
idation.
"Simply what have said. Oh Lill.as! l
shudder to think what have done; and oh,
believe me when | again assert that vas ig-
norantof all that had transPired: thatyou were
now-but no matter. And tha. thought my
self on my death-bed too, and child as was.
would have fettered you to my memory; but
had known all, it would not have been done.
though the heart withered beneath the wish
Why life is still granted to me, know not;
it IS no boon have ever asked. And what
sacrifice have required Of you. /, was ali
wrong; and you can never know the agony
returning health has cost me. 1t is for YOU
alone l shudder. May God forgive what |
have done, and help me 70 make every rep
aratlon in my power. And know of but one
way-to relieve you of my presence as often
as possible, and never, never to exact or ex-
Pect from you the duties, the affection, the ten
derness ola wife. Although in the eyes Of
the world we are married, we can be but as
before-sister and brother. And oh, how cold,
heavy. and iron-Iike even that bond has be-
come. Oh LnIias. LilIias, what a fearful fu-
ture is close before me!''
The listner had not moved, merely breath
ed but every uttered word was sheath-point-
ed, death pointed dart, that pierced through ev-
cry nerve; that touched each throb of that
breaking heart. There was one long respira-
fiD, - ,ri+ ,ro- ,E, f-e. L-,-.L cl-c, -r,4 -
low and agonizing groan, while the chilled
blood was freezing in her veins, and clasping
her pale and stiifening fingers together, would
have fallen at the feet of the miserable hus-
band, had he not caught her in his arms. How
strangely each had been understood.
Luis bore her to her chamber, and laid her
upon her own costly couch. There were no
signs Of life. The mother was summoned
No signs Of returning onsaiousuess could
they call forth, and physician was called in.
1t was long, and the palsied pulse again be
slowly-itwas scarcely Perceptble; and even
the slumber seemed like death. The physi-
clan had gone down; Luis followed him he
would know his opinion; and then he turned
away without noticing that a carriage had just
drove up. It was Lord CIaremonte end Rose.
Mrs. st. Lucas had written them when Luis
first came home. They entered the hall; Lu-
IS was still there, and looked wildly around,
as Rose exclaimed
My dear, dear brother; is it possible.-
But oh, how changedr'
Luis did not speak, but pressed his culver
ing lips to hers, and held out his hand to the
lord
As the sister withdrew from his embrace.
She inquired for her mother and Lillias, Luis
started, and growing still paler, leaned against
a colum for support, and pointed to the stair
way.
Rose trembled; something fearful shekncw
had happened. FIinging on the hall table her
hat and shawl, she hastily ascended to the
chamber Of the iusensible sister, followed by
Luis and Clarence.
Mother, my dear mother Rose whisper
ed, as she wound her arms around the neck
Of Mrs. St. Lucas, who was bending over the
bed; and then her eye fell on the faded form
before her. Mildly she clasYed the pale and
pensive hand, eiaculating-"My God, oh my
God LiIlias dead-dead for ever! Spare
me, oh my Father, spare me this. It canno-,
must not be. Lillias, my sister, dead -
Lord Claremont was little less agisated, as
he gazed upon that still ard beautiful enc.
CHAPTER ".
That voice. that voice! Again hear