Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-09-14


her confession in another moment's s
time but just then the cell door open
ed again, and, as if to refute the wick ed
calumny spoken against her, she OF
whom both were thinking came in -
There were dark hollows under hel
eyes, as though she had not slept for
weeks-only wept. A fake of feverish
color had driFted into either check, her
sweet mouth quivered, and she could
not step steadily for weakness.
With one bound the young man
reached her side Stretching out his
arms he tried to clasp her; but her
demeanor recalled him to himself and,
with bitter smile, he let them fall
slowly to his side. Some women, see
ing how he loved them, and how he
suffered in his love and his humiliation
would have embraced him; would have
clasped him with fond arms, clung to
his neck, baptized him with tears, and
comforted him with passionate kiss
es. But Elsie only stood coldly aloof,
looking beyond him at his companion.
A metallic CLEAN, cold, bright and swift
as lightning, passed across her face and
crystalized as it were, the living beauty
and sorrow of her features into hard,
stony outlines. Her lover noticed the
flash but he did not have time to catch
sight of the truth its sudden glimmer
revealed
You doubt me, Elsie.' he cried, a
great, despairing sob followed the words:
You believe me guilty of this thing !;
you have come to give me up You
stare as if you already see the Cain
mark on my forehead
Hush it is not that, Edwin. I am
not myself now,' she replied, coldly
Her voice sounded distant and far off to
him, as though some great gulf had
suddenly yawned between them, and
she was speaking across it. 'But have
never doubted you for an instant, thank
Heaven That would have broken my
heart. | knoa0 you are not guilty.
Unconsciously she had repeated the
very words used by Mrs. Erstep, with
the same emphasis of manner and
positiyeuess OF tone; but she betrayed
no agitation, only let her shining glance
pass by her lover to rest upon her foe
Perhaps the widow, though she seemed
to be looking another way, was uncom-
Portable 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 me as firm
friend and advocate of your cause she
said, smilingly. Believing what | do
of you, | shall work indefatigably for
your rescue. l have friends, influence,
wealth-all at your service; and 1 in
clude myself
Heaven orly knows how l thank
you, Mrs. Ersten, he replied 'how zoe
thank you,' he added, turning to Elsie
Elsie bowed and smiled but her
smile was like moonlight upon snow
there was no warmth or gratitude in it !
The widow smiled also, but she looked
like beautiful leopardess, showing her
teeth with hunger.
For a moment the two women stood
face to face, attentively regarding each
other. What their eyes telegraphed
back and forth, their companion could
not tell But he felt it and, when
Mrs. Ersten, held out her hand at part
ing, he shrank within himself, shud-
dering. Her touch thrilled but did not
attract him. There was a kind of
repulsion in her very gar
meuts. Fear and doubt began to mingle
with his gratitude.
Keep up good heart, Mr.. Chelsey;
we shall save you.
Z shall save you,' spoke up Elsie,
with brave defiance.
Another silent message seemed to
pass from one to the other, which the
young man could not understand Be-
fore he had seased wondering about it,
he found himself alone with his be-
trothed. The instant the cell door
changed to, and freed her from the con-
straipt of that hatred presence, she
seemed different creature. She flung
herself on her lovers breast she fon-
died his face with caressing hands she
kissed him passionately on his eyes, his
mouth, and his hands.
Il love you | have not doubted you
You are dearer to me now than ever,
she murmured, through quickly spring
ing tears. But | could not open my
heart to you before that woman She
would have turned all the honey it had
kept for you into gall.
Time passed. The trial was coming
on. Everything seemed to work uni
tedIy against the prisoner, and nothing
for him The verdict of guilty seered
inevitable, and he had schooled himself
to look upon death-even an ignomin-
ious one with calmness. because of its
certain and near approach. He feared
the dread enemy less for standing so
close beside it.
The day before the eventful one,
Mrs Ersten came again. Elsie had
fitted in upon his dismal solitude few
times, but never to stay. She was al
ways busy, always hopeful; she had SO
much to do before he was saved, she
would say. And somehow he trusted
The poor school mistress more than the
rich widow, Notwithstanding the latter's
friends and influence and wealth He
greeted bis visitor coldly.
'For shameP she cried, springing
forward. 'You have been
mo. see If in vour fooo