The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-05-12

and cold, by tho statue of Niobc, was
spared to deal you such fearful blow
as would make your blood curdle
even to think of it.".
"Thc hour has come" she c0ntinu-
cd, and raising the vial to her lips she
hurricdly drank its contents. From
a partly open drawer she drew small
bright dagger and after carefully con-
cealing it III tho folds of her dress, she
glidcd from tho room, hurricdly ira
vorscd tho broad passage and entered
tho apartment Of the bride.
Lillian was alone and on her knees
before the throne Of God. She had
desired her attendants to withdraw
into another room, that she might
spend few remaining moments in
communion with Him, who had be-
slowed upon her such umuttcrablo
happiness. Leonora entered so noise
lessly that her devotions woro not dis.
turbed until she stood directly in front
of her and then she arose, gazing with
silent wonder upon hcr,who seemed to
have been transformed Into Il terrible
Nemesis.
"Lilian Lyle" sho Kissed between
her clcnched teeth, "you arc arraycd
for your bridal. Know you that q
deep and terrible grief rolls between
you and your bridegroom ~ gulf upon
which, no sun ever shincs-ovcr which
no rainbow ever hangs? All a gulf
that no bridge of mans ingenuity can
ever spanl" Sho paused moment
and then, as if speaking to herself
continued, "tho poision works rapidly,
but will yct have my revenge"
"Lconora," said Lillian, trembling
fcarfully and attempting to leave the
room, ""you areEmad you know not
whatyou aay,2'g4,
| Il "Mad" echoed 1oonora, MS she
sprung TO tho door, locked it and
withdrew the key, "Ah! am mad
indeed, and you have mado mo so,
you have stolo from mo tho heart of
the only man ever loved and for that
1theft, you die tonight"
! "l'ercy, screamed Lillian in wild
despairing accents, "savo lno, Oh
save me, for the lovo of Cod"
+, But tho dagger was drawn and
plunged into hor bosom and with n
low groan, she sank upon tho carpetod
floor. For moment Lconora stood
with her Proud form drawn to it's full
heiG'.; -. .hc white /. mo burning in her
blue eye aud ihen without sign or
sound, fell PROSTATE beside Lillian.
Lilian's wild cry had boon hoard
throughout the cntirc house :; it rover
Derated iicm room - room tho guests
were filled with condemnation alarm
was depicted upon every countcnance :;
servants ran wildly to and fro. Percy
had heard the shrick as he was in tho
act of proceeding to the b,idc's apart
mont. With swift step no reached
the door, to find it locked, and the
terrified bridesmaids clustering
around, crying and wringing thoir
hands.
"NIy Cod" he cried, owhat can it
be? Lillian, dear one, | am here,
open the door for Gods sakom
Bat no gentle voice answered him
oil within that room was as still and
silent as the grave. There was great
rush to the door, pondcrous blows
were aimed at it and after two or
three unsuccessful efforts it Welded
and Percy St. Clair and his uncle
stood upon the threshold Of Lilian's
room. What dreadful sight was it
that met their vicw2 What made
Percy st. Clair's dark cheek blanch
and his piercing eye grow dim? Why
did the strong man shake and trcm~
bic like an aspen leaf?
Near the door lay Lillian, her brown
hair dishevcllcd, her white dress cov-
cred with crimson stains and ono fair
hand resting on her bosom, bathcd in
tho life-blood which was yelling from
a wound beneath. A little apart Law
Lconora-thc gray shadow Of death
creeping over her and smile Of ofsoraph.
10 sweetness settling upon her coltn..
tenance. She seemed more like nm
angel of light than murdcross and %
suicide. Poor, proud, broken heart!
She knew not what sho did. During
the last few weeks Of her life reason
had been gradually rosigning It's en-.
piro and Lilian's coming marriage
gave it final stroke. Iconora St.
Clair, tho hcircss of Wildwood, tho
queen of beauty, tho idolizcd child of
tho gray-haircd old General, died a
maniac.
Wor DIS are inadequate to describe
tho wild scene that cnsucd. The de-
solatc father trying in vain to restore
life to the inanimato form of his child.
his groans shifting painfully upon Che
cara of those around him. Oh it
was pitiful to behold tho deep grief
written SO indelibly upon his face.
Lillian, it was discovered, was not
dead she was conveyed to another
apartment and the best medical aid
immediately summoned. The wound
proved not to be fatal, though itrwas
considered serious and the bost nurs.
| ing was roQuired. percy, HUNG over