The herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1870-1871, 1871-07-01

we were married at what l was led te
believe was dissenting chapel in tie
country. The next day, 1 return ed t my
aunt. And for nearly year 1 lived
there, and met him stealthily, believing
that | was his wife. But Ross never sus.
pected.
"But the secret could be kept no lon
ger. found that should soon become
a mother. My aunt discovered 1t, and
taunted me with my shame, threatening
to put me out of her house. Stung to the
quick, flew to my husband, demanding
that he should acknowledge me publicly
and thus spare my good name. But he
laughed at my agony, and when 1
pressed him, told me that was no wife
of his-the ceremony was sham, our
marriage false. / think l went mad,
then and there, and that God will paI don
me all my after deeds. Poor Ross dis
covered my shame, and l thought his
proud heart would break. But he was
good, true brother TO me, even in my
trouble. He did not desert or cisown me
he put me in secluded lodgings, and
never pained me by word of Icproach.
Ah, Miss Raebun, don't wonder that
you love him
II went mad, as L told you, over my
cruel, bittor wrongs; aud l laid out my
plans with maniac cunning. One terri
Ole night l came to Stramville, and sent
note up to the young heir of Heather
stone Hall. We met in public house
in Calvert sire ct, and l demanded my
rights; but lie turned on his heel, laugh
ing me to scorn. followed him out into
the storm; lie turned aud cursed me,
threatening to murder me if / did not
leave him. But 1 murdered hil,l instead
i drew dagger from my bosom, and
plunged it into his false heart. Miss
Raebnrn, Ross Milburn was inno-
CENT?
81 know it." replied Janet, hoarsely.
"He fell, with an awful cry, and al
that instant Ross rushed up, and drew
the dagger from his breast. Then, seeing
me, he comprehended all. My God = he
cried; Rose, is it you? He's dead FIy
fly for your lifer His awful face, and
the sight of the murdered man at my
feet, filled ne with quaking terror, and
fled like the wind. Where or how I
wandered that night, God only knows.
AT day break market cart picked me up
III dying condition, and carried me to
The nearest workhonse; and there lay
for months, lowering hetween life and
death, and there my baby was born.
"When reason returned to me, my
brother Ross had been tried and found
guilty of the murder my hand commit
ted. But he had escaped ! My first
thought was to clear his name, and con-
fess my own guilt; but, for my little
child's sake, determined to remain si-
lent. Ross was gone, and my child
needed me; and I put IF my duty from
day TO day. But my baby is asleep now
under the green grass, down in Drum
mond churchyard, and am dying. Ja-
net Raehurn, and you, nr. Wilton, bear
witness that, with my last bi cath, 1 cen
fess my suilt, and clear my brothers
name. / murdered Gerald Heatherstone
and Ross Milburn bore my guilt rather
than betray me-"
~ II
Rose Mlburn slept peacefully, in the
green Drummund cl.urchyard, with her
little babe beside her; and Janet Rae
burn lived with her father at the Stram-
vile parsonage.
The county papers had grown weary
of proclaiming and repeating the story of
Ross Milburn's innocence. Every soul
in the community had heard and be
lieved it; his name was honored, almost
worshiped. But the sea gave not back
its dead! Of course, he went down that
dreadful night, when watchman Cowly
(whose brother was warden at the
county town PRISON. smuggled him away
from the waiting galows! The little
boat, drifting up to the strand, was evil
dence enough. Every one accepted the
truth, Janet Raeburn with the rest.
Slowly and peacefully the years went
by; the winter SHOWS fell and melted;
the spring blossoms blocmed and faded;
the story of Gerald Heatherstone's mur-
der was getting to he dream of days
gone by.
One October afternoon the old rector
lay dying. Janet was beside him, and
the Rev. Theodore Sheffield, his curate.
paced up and down the library, just
within call.
"My DEAR" said the old man, putting
forth his palsied hand, ''come closer; l
have something to say to you"
Janet obeyed, casping the trembling
hand in both her own.
MY time is growing Short" he whis-
pered; Sin little while my poor girl
will be all alone. Janet, darling, will
you make my last moments serene and
happy-will you promise to marry The
odore Sheffield when l am gomez"
The girl buried her face amid the pill
lows, with a low cry.
"He loves you, Janet.' her father
went on, land will make you true ant.
lender husband; you surely will not re-
fuse him ? Ills terrible thing for wo- I
man like You to live alone, with no love, I
no tender care. You know you will find
t terrible, my dear"
"But, father, do net love Mr.. Shelf
ield.'' !
my daughter, you will love hiln. lie {
$ so noble and honest-suuh gifted ,
nan, such true, devout Christian. You
will not refuse him, Janet ?"
Tie girl looked up. Pacing up and S
Town the room beyond WAS the man who I