Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-09-14

hands at this moment
His breath almost stopped with ca
cerness for life was sweet to him as II
T other men but he questioned her onl,
with his eyes.
She went on hurriedly.
Il have worked with indefatigabl
ZEAL she said, earnestly. Il have no
rested by day or slept by night. S'e'
how thin I have grown with anxiet.
and fatigue
She held up one little white hanc
before his eyes, and showed him hoV
loosely the rings would slip off the In
verted fingers. Had Elsie suffered al
much for him was the first though
that crossed his mind.
j But | do not come here to complain
only to let you know you are safe.
have collected evidence enough to i'm
plicate dozen men,
and is it true? Who will suffer in
stead?'
'True!' she laughed lightly why
need you trouble yourself to ask that
Who will suffer in your stead III c
old gardner. Whether justly or unjustly
matters little to you so you escape. One
hour of your fresh young life is worth
more to you, and those who love you,
than century of his. He has not many
years to live at best
Was the woman heartless, that she
planned his life at the sacrifice of anoth-
er's so coolly?
Il do not ask such freedom as that,
he said quickly, his brave soul in his
eyes.
You cannot help yourself, if choose,
she answered, smiling. But do not let
US waste precious time. Life or death
is before you. Which will you have?'
Something in her looks made the
words almost fendish. Her listener
looked up wonderingly.
IF you live | must have my reward,
she said
'What rewardH
More and more puzzled by her man
ner, he articulated the words in voice
faint with amazement.
Can you ask ? Her great, dark eyes,
rich with passionate entreaty, glowed
on him like two evil stars. Are you
blind? Do you not think? Must |
humble myself to ask for what l have
earned by such labor and bought at such
a price 2
She shi.ercd as she spoke. He did
not, or would not understand her.
DO you read nothing in my face
no suffering, 10 love, no unconquerablc
passion?
4 read nothing he answered, briefly
and coldly, unclasping the hands with
which she was clinging to his arm and
stepping back from her.
There are none so blind as those who
will not see, she exclaimed, with vehe
ment bitterness. you know | love YOU
and have loved you for years, Edwin
Chesley. You know that all l ask in
return for the life l can save you is
his, that you viii! give up that poor,
pale-faced country girl, and accept love,
wealth, happiness and my hand
The first is not yours to bestow; and
the last would be too dearly purchased
at such a sacrifice. [ would not give up
the love of Elsie Hamilton to save
dozen lives, her own sweet one inclu-
dedn
You may think differently when you
ascend the ga!lows,' she sneered. 4 tell
you your life is in my hands. No one
else can save it. Oh, do not cast me
off y she added, beseechinsly, reaching
out her arms to him with an imploring
gesture Have you no mercy, no graf,
itude p
Have you no shame, woman?' he
replied, sternly. is this your pretended
friendship to me? This your womanly
sympathy, and pity, and faithfulness? I?
But for the woman you would have me
relinquish, you would teach me to loathe
your sex
His listeners face grew stormy with
the Clark passions that convulsed her
She turned, as if to retort; but at that
moment there was the sound of heavy
feet at the door-loud voices-and then
Elsie Hamilton came ip, followed by
two police officers. She pointed to Mrs.
Ersten, and they took their places be-
side her, one on either side.
you are our prisoner, madam said
one of them with an official bow.
'On what charge p she faltered, grow
ing white to the lips.
The murder of your husband!'
She did not shrek nor cry out, only
gasped once, as for breath, covered her
face with her hands, and stood shiver-
ing, as in an ague ft Edwin Chesley
took in the scene with wondering eyes,
While Elsie, clinging to his neck, whis-
pered:
Did l not say would save your
Come, Mrs. Ersten we are waiting
The tone was respectful but firm, and
the officers laid each a hand on her
shoulder to lead her away. She shook
herself free, and advanced a step to
Chesley.
"A moments patience, gentlemen,
aud then [ shall be ready to accompany
yon wherever you please. Hear me
first
She paused there. Her blazing eyes
sought Eisie's face-a devilish malig-
nifty famed up in them.
4 have played desperate game, and
lost; but l will make my failure tri-
umph by confession and eefance. |
loved this mani murdered my old
-. i LII l...IanI Cor hiS saEa