Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-08-16
10th to mar it, and with a auttering heart

Of love prompts me to write to-day and
tell how dear you are TO me. L have
studied your character well and find
only the pure and beautiful inscribed
thereon. know that you are living a
pure, noble, beautiful life, and as such a
true woman only will | ever call by that
sacred name ask you to become the
dearest one on earth to me-my wife.
Do not deem me presumptuous in aspir-
ing to your love, in return for which |
offer you the lifelong devotion of
"PHILIP TAsso."
Dear, dear Philip, my heart yearns
toward you, and l know that you are a
true man, for surely countenance so
full of frankness, candor and truth,
could not screen base heart. L know
that your noble mind aspires to some
thing beyond the glitter and tinsel of
outside splendor.
She sat gazing demurely at the long
sunbeams that lay across the carpet like
path of gold, wandering, hand in hand,
through the grand air-castles that her
Imagination erected, with Philip Tasso.
At length her eye rested on Richard s
letter, and hastily tearing it open she
read the contents.
"Ohl the miscreantl The base-heart-
ed, weak-minded fool Surely his sins
have found him out, and / see him as he
is-a sham, miserable excuse for a
man.
AS she uttered these words an ex-
preston of contempt sat upon her face,
but it gradually faded away, and one OF
compassion came in its stead.
His heart is bad, and ] would never
marry such man; yet his poor soul
is immortal, and from the bottom of my
heart / pity him; poor, erring mortal,
and | pray he may forsake his evil
ways"
She went to her room and wrote as
follows:
DEAR PHILIP: Call this evening at
seven, and receive your answer.
AGATHA SoMERs."
When Mr.. Somers came home to din
ner she allowed him to read the two let
ters she had received.
We'll, Agatha, presume this settles
the affair. All this goes to 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 repar-
tee, and yet let one of superior intelli-
gence attempt to draw him out and he
would find him Swallowed drained, his
theories weakened and ill-jointed; but
so goes the world, and man plods along
learning some things by experience that
he can learn in no other school"
Evening came, and at seven and ten
Philip Tasso was ushered into the parlor,
where Agatha met him with sweet
smile of welcome, and when she laid
her hand tenderly, trustingly in his,
and looked shyly into his questioning,
blue eyes; flood of joyful emotion suf-
fused his face, and he drew her to his
heart and kissed her blushing face. A
short time after Mr.. Somers found them
sitting on the divan, hand in hand, and
he exclaimed
"Good evening, Philip receive a
fathers blessing children, and | pray
that you may prove helpmates indeed
for each other, for there are indeed
many temptations in the paths of the
young. But hark there goes the bell.
Come, Philip, we are to have private
theatricals this evening, and 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
he advanced into the room, while win
ming smile lighted uphis otherwise blank,
eXpressionless face.
A quarter of an hour passed away and
he arose and sank gracefully upon his
knees at her feet, saying:
Darling Agatha, idol of my dreams,
l lay at your feet my hand, heart and
fortune. VIII you be my darling wifeY'
A soft, ripping laugh bubbled from
her lips, and waving her hand, she said
Arise, Mr.. Andre, l pronounce your
acting perfect"
Agatha, idol, angel, don't trihe with
my poor pleading heart. Can't you see
how suffer-how this suspense is wiring
ing my hearth" :. .,
II can't say that l do" she replied
coolly.
"You are cruel, my darling, and yet a
human heart bleeds at your feet. Be
merciful, and end this suspense, my
love. Will you be miner
Mr.. Andre, cannot accept the gra-
cious boon you offer mel cannot be
your wife,"
"Ohl merciful heavenl Can it be
taat the sunlight of bliss is forever hid
den from me2" he exclaimed tragically.
Don't lament, dear sir. See you have
the moonlight left," she replied, point
ing to an open window.
He arose and stood calmly before her,
and looked down into her dark eyes.
Agatha, | was mad enough to hope
that you loved me, but I'm aroused at
last, and know that henceforth life for
me will be an empty farce, and since |
cannot win your love, allow me the hap
piness of dying at your feet.
He drew a pistol from his pocket,
placed the muzzle over his heart, and
the next instant the report rang out, and
uttering a deep moan he sank upon the
floor.
Philip rushed frantically from the al
cove, closely followed by Mr.. Somers.
"0h, my God this is too terriblel He
is dead-deadl and, oh merciful heaven
you are the cause of it, Agatha, cried
Philip, stricken with horror.
Don't blame me, dear Philip | could
not prevent it, she said demurely, while
smile lurked in the vicinity of her
mouth.
A group of domestics gathered around
the door, and Mr.. Somers knelt beside
Richard, and examined his pulse.
Agatha, OIL Agatha, how can you
sit beside his corpse and smile2 Alas
l was deceived in you, when | thought
you little below the angels"
4" He is notdead" cried Mr.. Somers.