The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-07-17


hardly expected you" he said tcnderly
on such Wild bad night as this but |
feel now that | was doing you = wrong to
doubt you. This is but another proof oil
your love for me" "Oh, Maurice Z, she
murmured plaintively, 'lt is--it il !"
perhaps I've done wrong in asking
you to come here Forgive me could
not go away without seeing you once
more"
He spoke in clear, firm tones, but n lit
tie sadly. They had sat down on one Of
the rustic seats, he held her hand, and il
, tremolcd in his grasp. A tempest Of
sobs shook her frame. "Maurice, if you
90 away, | shall surely die 2" she said,
pitoously.
"Do not speak thus. Your have much
to live for. Remember your husband p
he replied.
A shudder passed over her at the men
ton Of his name. and sudden color flush.
ed her face as Il thought of their csirauge.
ment crossed her mind Nevertheless, "
life without you IS hardly worth having,
she said, bitterly.
"Surely he loves you"' the young man
returned, eyincing con siderable surprise.
eyes, think he does but his irrita-
bic temper tries me sorely. We have
long been estranged. sometimes think
he half suspects our secret. Oh, how
bate this coucealment -
$50 do. This viii be the last, though;
hereafter you will be left in peace. | will
20 abroad it will be best for both Of Us.
Don't you think so?"
oh, no, no."
/ She spoke vehemently; but the effect
was great. She grew pale and faint. The
idea of losing him, perhaps forever, chill
ed her heart. For she loved him dcarer
| than life. 4 few minutes later they both
came out aud separated. he directing his
course 10 the village, she cautiously re-
tracing her steps towards the house
Scarcely had her footsteps died away, be.
fore man stepped out from clump of
bushes close by the arbor, and shaking
the rain from his dripping clothes, looked
searchingly around him. It was Ellis
Ashbrooke. His wife would not have
brea,hed So freely had she seen his face
just then. 1t fairly CLEANED with rage,
viudiciivencss aud jealousiy. lie over.
heard every word they said
- | have been fool" he said to him.
self. in low, savage tone. "a weak, blind
fool So this IS the cause Of my pretty
wifc's trouble. Gracious Heavens I can
hardly realize H."
lie pressed his hands to bis eyes, as If
to shut out some horrible vision. Il
seemed for Il moment that he was going
TO lose his senses: But be did not long
remain in this state; rousiug himself. he
walked rapidly away in the direction the
young mau had taken. As he went on
the eleam in his eyes were terrible 1t
would have taken no wizards skill to
guess that there was murder in his heart
Oiina Ashbrookc gained her room un-
perceived, (ns she thought, and was pac
ing up aud down the room. wringing her
hands, and sobbing piieousIy, when the
report Of pistol fell upon her ears.
The rain was still falling; the wind still
moaning through the leafess trees bu,
above the angry clamor of both, that re-
port arose, clear, strange, startling.
40, Heaven" Olina said, pausing to-
listen, what can it mcany Perhaps
some one is being killcd-murdered," aud
trcmor crcpt along her nerves at the
thought.
half an hour passed Then The door
opened, and her husband came in
Though very pale. his manner was calm
Olina was sitting beside the fire. her
face buried in her hands her long goI.
den hair falling about her shoulders in
disheveled masses. She looked up, won
deringly, at his entrance, aud exhibited
some surprise at seeing him. Hereto.
fore, he had not often intruded on her
privacy.
Traitress" he Kissed, in a tone that
thrilled her heart with nameless fear,
:" ] have at last found you out"
She made an attempt to reply, but he
waived down the interruption, and con
tinucd: When | married you, Dina, |
thought you were pure and good. Your
beauty bewitched me, so | took you to
my heart as / would nn angel. Now
have learned my mistake"
What do you mean!'' she gasped,
huskily.
"Do need to tell your Then it IS
this; | know all. saw you gliding out
of the house like a gritty ghost, | follow
ed you, and overheard every word that
passed between you and your lover. /
ONLY wonder how I've remained blind so
long But at last the scales have fallen
from my eyes"
"Surely, you do not--cannot think me
capable of this enormity 2" She had
risen from her scat, and her face perfect
ly colorlcss. Her excitement was so in
tense as to almost deprive her of speech.
He smiled, strange, ghastly smile.
eyes" he sneered, 9" most certainly
do. What other construction could |
place on your actions n She recoiled
from him, with cry of horror,
ellis Ashbrooke, as Heaven is my
Judge, / am guiltlcss !" she exclaimed
solemnly. !.
"All women under like circumstances,
would say the same, he returned grimly.
g But your lover did not well to venture
here. | swore then he should never
leave the grounds alive. / kept my oath
The is dead p
HIS wifo stood like statute, her coun-
tenance black with horror, as she said, in
/ voice deep and emphatic. from the in
tense agony of her feelings: /" Dead /! I'm.
possible. You cannot mean that = So
Z" Yes" M a aa5
An awful stiffness reigned throughout