Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-07-10


over tho still burning drawing room Ere /
sat with Mr.. llallam. L had tried to induce
him to retire to rest but he would not 90
Bianched over cheek and lip, his very teeth
chattering like man in deadly terror, he sal
beside me, holding my hand in his with force
that crushed the flesh
Z" How firm the eyes were closed,' he kept
tremuIously muttering. q Did you notice
Anne and the clenched hands, as if there
had been struggle Could it have fought for
life Oh, the third the third - he gssped
How many more?'
He chilled me with his wild whisperings.
until my heart grew faint | asked him at
last, sharply,
" What do You mean"
My question brought scared look from him.
but no response. He ceased however to mutt
ter to himself, and for a minute we were both
silent; then, touched by the half contemptuous
pity that constantly awoke in me when per-
celyed him queled by my voice or look, said
more gently than had spoken at first
Why do You keep whispering these things
to yourself, Frederick? What do you mean
by them?'
He turned his face around to me as smoke
and wild fierce sprang to his eyes
What do | mean by them! Do you want
me to tell you - he cried
His changed aspect startled me; but con-
cealed my fear. 1 said calmly.
"fes--Or would not have asked you.''
lie held his gaze steadfastly upon my face
As he sat gazing at me, something dayning in
that look made my blood curdle.
"ShaH tell you ?" he said, sharply.
That fear was creeping over me with no will
of mine. Trying to crush it, answered quick
ly and contemptueusly--
-" Mr.. Hallam, we are not pair of children,
If you have any thing to tell ME, tell it at once
Dou you mean to speak ?"
Hnsh ~ he s,;J
pered, "bend nearer. Oh, it is horrible to tell
you he was shivering from head to foot
but must tell some one. L cannot bear it
longer. Are you ready Anne" he cried.
1" / have shed blood ~
Mr.. Hallam, you are mad,''
leapt to my feet. least his grasping hand
away from me. High above his voice sprany
my cry, and he answered with a wild shout TOT q
agony,
'Oh, that acere mad ~ he cried: "tbat
God would have that mercy on me, to strike
me mad Anything, anything to escape this
torture On. Anne, turn your face away; do
not look at me with those dreadful ewes You
have got my secret. Have mercy on me, have
mercy on me now ~
with pulses that seemed ceasing to beat. |
stood, pity crushed out of me; all emotion con-
csntrated and hardened into one unutterabIe
and incrsdulous horror. 1 could not speak
my cold lips would not unclose to ask one
question; but perhaps he read my face, for he
came after do not know how many moments
had elapsed, and passionately cast himself
down at my feet.
You do not believe me?" he cried; " YOU
cannot believe me But it is true, Anne AS
God sees me, it is true, Stand stilI-you shaft
listen. L had a friend-Frank Hildyard-
and we quarreled took up n pistol that Law
apon his table, and shot bin dead Again +
met the woman who was to have married him.
and she suspected me, and threatened me.
put my two hands round her throat''-he
looked up, and his eyes were like devils
glaIing at me from the ground -" and stran-
gled her. Ah Stand still, Anne - he cried
1t was the last word that 1 heard. His
voice had risen to a shrek Trying to move
and fly, / fell. A mist was over eyes and
brain, and / recollect no more
We were still in the room alone together
when l wakened. He had raised and laid me
on the sofa; he himself crouching like wild
animal, was again a. my feet
lifted myself up, and slowly and fearfully
the recollection of what had heard came back
to me,-hidcous, unreal-like the memory of
nightmare rose up; pressed my hand upon
my forehead, and tried to clear my voice.
went forward and stood above him
Are you mad ?" family asked him, "or
Is what you have told me true -
lie lifted his haggard tace, and broken and
tOncless came his voice
As L stand before God, it is true,'
stayed to hear no more. Breaking from
him, hed from the room and through the un-
lighted hall, into which the dim winter dawn
was stealing.
My life, thank God, has given me no second
experience 50 terrible as that of the week that
followed Mr. Hallam' = confession IwouId not
1--we II again tor a kings ransom.
During that week / had him with me in nv
sister sick room for the greater part of every
day, and for the whole Of every night. for
when he slept be only lay down on a sofa by his
wife bed, and he scarcely slept three hours
out OF the twenty four. But yet, wakefuI as
he WAS, was more wakeful still Fear gaye
me an unnatural strength. For seven days and
nights never closed my eyes for one entire
hour With restless, feverish underlined ter
ror' watched over my sister, driving sleep
from me Mr. Hallam never came near her
bel, never looked at her, never spoke to her
but my eyes were on him lie knew, too, that
watched him, and possessed as | was of his
secret, the fear he had always had Of Inc became
this week unutterable. But rejoiced in that
fear now. 1t was my strength.
This misery, say, L endured for seven days
At the end OF that time the tidngs were given
to me that my sister was out Of danger
10 me they were given, not to Mr. Uallam
for throughout her illness, by tacit consent, all
communications from the ply scian who attend
ed her had been made to me. Mr. Hallam had
scarcely seen him. Yet to-day it happened
that while DR.. Kane talked with me- he for n
moment entered the room in which we were
DIR. Kane had his face to the door and he Der
ceivcd his entrance and went forward to him
mir. Haliam," he said cheerfully, I'VE have
good news for you to-day. | think we may call
our patient out Of danger"
Mr.. Hallam stood still. His eyes glanced up
and flashed
'Out OF danger-who!' he cried
'Frederick,f' | said
hand upon his forehead.
dangcr-is she ," he said
There was n moment or twO's stranoe nausa
Then. with an effort, | turned DR.. Name = at
tention back to Inc. L trusted that while w..
spoke Mr.. Hallam would leave us, and he aid
DR.. Kane took up his hat-his hand was eY.
tended to me. Suddenly he brought his ewes
up to my face.
"Mr. Hallam is not well, = he said, abruptly
l felt my color flushing over check and brow,
but i answered calmly