The herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1870-1871, 1871-08-05

sunbeams that lay across the carpet like
path of gold, wandering hand in hend
through the GRAND air-castles that her
imagination erected, with Philip Tasso.
At length her eye rested on Richard g
letter, and hastily teating it open, she
read it's contents.
"Oh! the miscfeant! the base hearted
weak minded fool Surely his sins
have found him out, and I see him as he
is-a sham; miserable excuse for d
msnr'
AS she uttered these words an express
sion of contempt sat upon her face, but
it gradually faded away and one Of COM
passion came in its stead.
ellis heart is bad, and 1 would never
marry such a man; yet his poor soul is
immortal, and from the bottom of my
heart / pity him, poor erring mortal,
and I pray he may forsake his evil
ways"
She went to her room and wrote as fol-
lows:
"DEAR PHILIP Call this evening at
seven, and receive your answer.
"AaATHA SoMERs."
When Mr.. Somers came home to din
ner she allowed him to read the two let
ters she had received.
"Well, Agatha, presume this settles
the affair. All of this goes 10 prove that
an empty barrel makes the most noise.
Richard is one of those who have the
knack of attracting attention by his con-
slant flow of small talk, his witty repair
tee; and yet let one of superior intelli-
gence attempt to draw him out, and he
would find him shallow Drained, his
theories weakened and ill-jointed; but
so goes the world, and man plods
along, learning soEie things by expert
ence that he can learn in no other
school,"
Evening came, and at seven Philip
Tasso was uslered into the parlor where
Agatha met him with sweet smile of
welcome, aud when she laid her hand
tcnderly, trustingly. in his, and looked
shyly into his questioning, blue eyes,
flood of joyful emotions sufl'used his
face, and he drew her to his heart and
reverently kissed her blushing face. A
short time after Mr.. Somers found them
sitting on the divan, hand in hand, and
he exclaimed
Good ey ening, Philip; receive & IA
TIERS blessing, children, and pray you
may prove helpmates, indeed, Tor each
other, for there are, indeed, many
temptations thrown in the paths of the
young. But hark thero goes the bell.
Come, Philip, we are to have private
theatricals this evening, end we are to
be the only auditors"
Before Philip could comprehend his
meaning, he had seized his arm, and
drawn him into an alcove.
"Be quiet and watch and listen," said
Mr.. Somers, mysteriously.
Richard Andre was announced, and
advanced into the room, while win
ming smile lighted up his otherwise ex'
pressionless face.
Quarter of an hour passed away, ant
he arose and sank gracefully upon hit
knees at her feet, saying:
"Darling Agatha, idol of my dreams,
lay at your feet my hand, heart and for
tune. Will you be my own oarlini
, wife,"
A soft, ripping laugh bubbled from
, her lips, and waving her hand, she said
"Arise, Mr.. Andre, pronounce you
acting perfect"
"Agatha, idol, angel. don't trifie witt
my poor, pleading heart. Can't you Sc
how 1 suffer-how this suspense
wringing my heart 2"
81 can't say that do" she replied
!, coolly.
= "You are cruel, my darling, and yet
human heart bleeds at your feet. b
merciiul, and end this suspense, loves
Will you be mine?"
;. "Mr. Andre, cannot accept the gra
cious boon you offer mel cannot b
:, your wife,"
"Oh merciful heaven Can it be tbs
= the sunlight of bliss is forever hidde
> from me?" he exclaimed, tragically.
= "Don't lament, dear sir. See, you hay
% =, the moonlight left, - she replied, pointin
to an open window.
He arose and stood calmly before he
and looked down into her dark eyes.
u "Agatha, was mad enough to hoT
that you loved me, but I'm aroused /,
= last, and know that henceforth life fe
. me will be an empty farce; and since
cannot win your love, allow me the haI
. piness of dying at your feet"
y He drew a pistol from his pocke
y placed the muzzle over his heart, an
:, the next instant the report rang out, an
y utt' ring deep moan lie sank upon Il
- floor.
y Philip rushed frantically from the O
cove, closely followed by Mr.. Somers.
II 'Oh, my God this is too terrible L
I'd is dead and oh, nierciful Heaven W
Ve are the cause of it, Agatha" cried Phi
I'd ip, stricken with horror.
ed Don't blame me, dear Philip, cou
a not prevent it," she said, demurel
ch while smile lurked in the vicinity
~ her mouth.
ne A group of domestics gathered arenl
DO the door, and Mr.. Somers knelt besi
ag Richard, and examined his pulse.
er "Agatha, oh Agatha, how can you
beside his corpse and smile? Alas
was deceived in you, when / thong
ms you little below the angels"
a "He is not dead p cried Mr.. Somel
Sc Jim, bring hot waterbury, ~
III, 81 didn't know that hot water W
Nv beneficial in such cases." said PhiliI
e great, honest-hearted Philip.