The weekly Butte record., 1867-09-14
nd she comb, not s.ep steadily for weakness.


tears. and comforted him with passionate kisses.
But Elsie only stood colby aloof. looking beyons
! him at his companion \ metallic gleam- cnldl
bright and swift lightning passed across her lace
/ and crystalised. as il were. the living beauty and
sorrow of her features into hard, stony Outlines
Her lover noticed the flash: but be did net have
time to catch sight of the truth its sudden gimner
revealed.
You doubt me. Elsie = he cried. great, des-
pairiur sob followed the words: 'You believe me
guilty OF this thing: you have come to give me up
i You stare a. if you already see the Cain-marA on
my forrhead
/ now she replied coldy. Her voice sounded DIS
tant and far of to him, though some great gull
T had suddenly warned between them, and she was
! speaking across it. But have never donb.ed you
I for an instant. thank Heaven. That would have
broken my heart | knosc you are not guilty
Unconsciously she had repeated the very words
used by Mrs. Ersten, with the same emphasis ot
/ manner and positveness Of tone; bat she betrayed
no agitation only let her shining glance pass by ner
lover to rest upon her foe. Perhaps the widow,
though she seemed 10 be looking the other way {,
was uncomfortable under her scrutiny; for she
( came forward, adjusting her veil and drawing on
/ her glove.
DO not forget what have told you, Mr Chesley.
Rely upon fiirn friend and advocate of your
! Cause she said smngly. believing what do
of YOU shall work ndefatigably for your rescue
have friends, influence, wealth-al at your ser
vice; ard include myself"
Heaven only knows how thank you. Mrs Er
1 stem > he replied; "how thank yon, he added,
turning to Elsie.
/ Elsie bowed and smiled: bnt her smile was like
moonlight upon snow; there warmth or
/ gratitude in it The widow smiled alio, but she
looked Ike beautiful leopardess, showing her teeth
} with hunger.
! For moment the two women stood face to face,
attentively regarding each other. What their eyes
! teegraphed back and forth their companion could
not tell. But he felt it; and, when Mrs. Ersten held
her hand at parting. be shrauk within himself.
shEddering Her touch thrilled but dId not attract
/ him There was kind of magnetic repulson i'll
/ her very garments Fear and doubt began to min
gle with bis gratitude
Keep upa good heart Mr.. Chelsey; we shall
/ save you.
Il shall save you, spoke up Elsie, with brave
defiance.
Another silent message seemed to pass from one
to the other, which the yeung man could not under
stand. Before he had ceased wondering about 1t he
found himself alone with his betrothed. The instant
the cell door changed To. and freed her from the
/ constraint OF that hated presence, she seemed a
different creature She flung herself on her lover S
breast; she fondled his face with her caressing
hands, she kissed him passona tely on his eyes his
mouth aud his hands.
Il love you have not doubted you You are
dearer to me now than er,' she murmured, thro'
her quickly sprlnging tears. But could not open
my heart 10 you before that woman. She would
have turned all the honey il had kept for you INTO
gall.
Time passed The trial was coming on. Every
thing seemed TO work unitedy against the prisoner
and nothing for him. The verdict OF guilty seemed
inevitable. and he had schooled himself TO look upon
death-even an ignominious one-with calmness,
because OF its certain and near approach. He
feared the dread enemy less for standing SO c'Ose
beside it.
The day before the eventful one. Mrs Erstcn
came again. Elsie had fitted in upon his dismal
solitude few times. but never t. stay. She was
always busy, always hopeful; she had so much TO
do before he was saved, she would say. And some
how he trusted the poor schoolusstress more than
the rich widow, Notwithstanding the latters friends
and influence aud wealth. He greeted his visitor
codly.
For shame - she cried, sprining impulsivey
forwatd. "You have been doubling; | see it in
your face. You have thought me idle, because
have been wise enough to work in silence. And
yet hold your lite in my hands nj this moment
His breath almost stopped with eagerness. for life
sweet to him to other men: but he cues
toned her only with his eyes.
She went on huTriedly:
II have worked with ndefatigable zeal she said
earnestly. r have not rested by day, or slept hy
night. See how thin have grown with anxiety
and fatigue
She held up one little white hand before his oyes
and showed him how loosely the rings would slip
of the inverted fingers Had Elsie suffered
much for him WAS the FIRST thought crossed his
mind.
But do not come here to complain-ony to let
vou know ynu are safe. have collected evidence
enough II implIea'e dozen men-"
''And is it traey Who will suffer instead p
True = she laughed lightly. why need YOU
troublc yourself to ask that? Who will suffer in
yonr >teady The old gardener. Whether Justly
or unjast!y matters little 10 you. you
escape. One hour OF your fresh young liels worth
more To you, and those who love you, than centl-
ry Of his. He has not many years To live at best
Was the woman heartle>s, that she planned his
lite at the sacrifice Of another So coolyz
Il do not ask such freedom as that. he said
quickly, his brave soul in his eyes
''lon cannot help yourself. ii choose, she
swered. smiling. Bat do not let waste precious
time. Life or death is before you. Which Will
you have p
Something in her looks made the words almost
iend-h. Her listener looked up wonderincly.
'.if You live must have my reward She said.
what rcward!
More ard more puzzled by her manner, he artic-
ulated the words in a voice faint with amazement.
Can Yen ask ? Her great dark eyes, rich with
passionate entreaty. glowered on him Ike two evil
stars. Are You blind? Do you not think Must
| humble myself 70 ask for what have earned by
such labor and bought at such a price ?
She >hivered as she spoke. He did not or would
not understand her,
DO You read nothing in my face-no suffering.
no love- 10 unconquerable passion ?
Il read nothing he answered briefly and codly,
unciaSpng the hands with which she was cnging
TO his arm and stepping back from her.
There are none 50 bind as those who viii not
see she exclaimed with vehement bitterness.
'lou know | love you, and have loved yon for
years. Edwin Chel>ey. You know that all ask in
return tor the life can you is this. that you
viii give mp that poor pale-faced country girl. and
accept love. wealth, happiness at my hands
The first is bot yours To he>tow; and the last
would lie too dearly purchased a, such sacrifice
| woald not give up the love of Elsie Hamilton to
save dozen ives. her own sweet one included.
'Iou may think differently when you ascend the
gallOws, She sneered. Il tell you your life is my
hands. No one else save it. GA. do not cast
me OF ;, she added. be>eechingly, reaching ont her
arms 10 HIM with an lmpoTlng gesture. Have
you no mercy. no gratitude? =
Have you no shame. woman ?? he replied. stern
Is. is this your pretended friendship u me
This your womany sympathy, and faiihfulneSs
Bat for the woman sou would have ME re!inquish
yon would teach me TO loathe yonr sex.
His listeners face grew stormy with the dark pas
Sior> that cOuvuied her. She turned. as If TO re
( tort: but ST that moment there the sound of
heavy lee; a. the deCr-ioud voiceS-and then Elsie
Hamilton came in. followed by two police officers.
She pointed Ia Mrs. Eysten. and they took their
places beside her, either side.
- oa are our prisoner, madam, said one OF them
with official bow.
'Ou what charge :" she faltered growing white
n tie lips.
+ " The murder of Your husband -
She did not shrek. nor cry oat. only gaSIei once
Is ioT breath. covered her face with her hands and
stood >hiyeriag in an agUe tt. Edwin Chesley
took II the with wondering eyes, while Elsie,
cling to his neck. whispered.
'bld not say wO1lG save You
Come, Mrs. Er>ten. We are waiting.
The tone was respectful but firm, aud the officers