Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-25

near, thou knowest that this hand would rather
let my life-blOod forth, than offer thee the sha
dow of an injury
They waited an instant-all was quiet; mean
time, Mark, persualing himself thatit was but
form, and trembling to tho very core, ad-
cast glance around, and grinding his teeth
savagely, cried out:
W ny do you all fix your gaze on me ? I'm
not afraid to do this piece of folly
lie advanced another step-again he hest
tated; heartless-bru tal-though he was, the
| spell Of mighty dread was Oh his soul His
face grew liyid ); tho blood started from bis
lips; large round drops burst from his fore
head and rolled down his ashy cheeks At last,
| With tremendous effort, he knelt and attempt
| ed to stretch forth his hand; it seemed glued
to his side. Starting to his feet again he cried
fiercely:
Il will not do it; why should ia. .-. 3:
You cannot you dare not.' solemnIy
calculated Luke "lf you are guiltless, why
should you fear ?"
Fear" steamed the other, " / fear neith-
or man nor deviI-dsad nor living" suddenly
placing his hand upon tho breast OF the dead ,
"Sce-see" cried Luke, wildly, 'the blood
mounts up--it overhOws,"
= lisa lie" madly exclaimed Mark
But it was no lilo; the ruddy stream swcIlcd
upward through those gaping wounds, flowing
'I'~O HAOAo oNo"h Not n
of awe and surprise broke from the assem- bled
group; whilst, shiyering to tho very heart tho
terrors OF discovered guilt and despair seize
upon Marx.
:" Curse ye all,' he roared; "you would Jug
gle my life away; but you shall find will not
part with 1t SO readily" Hastily drawing a
pistol, il was instantly wrested from him Sew
eral Ok the bystandsrs flung themselves upon
him; but the desperate resistance which he
made, added to the frightful agony which hc
had just endured, caused him to break q blood
vessel; and in raving delirium the hardened
sinner soul wended to its last account in the
presence Of those whom, in his reckless villany,
nc had expected 10 destroy.
Wonder succeeded wonder: and the mystery
was soon discovered to be no mystery at all,
but the natural Instrument in the hands of
Providence to cOnfound the guilty. As, relaps-
ing into his former listlessness, Luke was in
tently gazing on the body of his beloved, sud
denly his heart gave one tremendous throb
Hush. he exclaimed, with anxious trer,-
bling voice; - For Heavens love, bo silent for
an instant. l thought heard a sound like
ma! there 1t Is again gasp-a gentle sob and
scarcely audible, but rs distinct as thunder
within my sOul-therss warmth about her
breast-her eyelids tremble. The God of Mer-
cy be thanked, she liyes-she lives" and Luke
sunk upon his knees; copious food Of tears
the first he had ever shed, relieved his over
charged feelings. .-.
1t was true-she did live; from lose of blood
only had she had tainted, and excessive weak
ness had thus far prolonged the inssnsibiIity
none of the stabs had reached vital part. and
it was the first effort of nature TO resume its
suspended functions which had caused tho
blood once more to circulate, just at the instant
which so signally established tho guilt of the
intended murderer 80 i....'.
1t only remains for me to say that NJ ark Dor
motts previous bad character prevent ed much
sympathy being felt for fate so we'll deserved
In process Of time Luke's devoted love was
well rewarded. Kathleen recovered from the
elects of her wounds, gave him her hi md, and,
proiting by the terrible lesson which she had
received. made an estimable, yirtuoI Il and af-
fectionate wife.