Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-12-02

luC6
quarter of an hour passed away and he
arose, and sank gracefully upon his knees at her
feet, saying;
"Darlng Agatha, idol of all my dreams, lay
at your feet my hand, heart and fortune VIII
you be my own darling wife ?'
A soft ripping laugh bubbled from her lips,
and waving her hand she said
Arise, Mr.. Andre pronounce your acting
perfect"
agatha, idol, angel, don't trine with my
poor, pleading heart Can't you see how suffer
how this suspense is wringing my heart? ~
al can't say that do, she replied coolly
L" You are cruel, my darling, and yet human
heart bleeds at your feet. Be mercful, and end
this suspense, my love. Will you be mne?"
d" Mr.. Andre, l cannot accept the boon you
offer mel cannot be your wife"
"Oh mercifll Heaven Can it be that the
suni sht of bliss is forever hidden from me ~ he
exclaimed tragicaly.
" Don't lament, dear sir. See, you have the
moonlight left" she replied, pointing to an open
window.
He arose and stood calmly before her, looking
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 empty farce (;
and since cannot win your love allow me the
happiness of dying at your feet
He drew pistol from his pocket, placed the
muzze over his heart, and the next instant the
report rang out, and utterng deep moan, he
sank upon the floor.
Philip rushed frantically from the alcove close
ly followed by Mr.. Somers.
Oh, my God this is too terrible lie is
dead-dead and oh, merciful Heaven you are
the cause of it, Agatha" cried Philip, stricken
with horror.
Don't blame me, Philip, I 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 knet beside Richard, and
examined his pulse.
Agatha, oh Agatha, how can you sit beside
this corpse and smile? Alas was deceived in
you, when thought you only a little below the
angels"
"He is not dead p cried Mr.. Somers, " Jim
bring hot waterbury, ~
81 didn't know hot water was beneficial in
such cases." said Pbilip-great honest-hearted
Philip.
" Neither do I, yet am going to Try exper-
iment. No matter if it does scald b lstache
off, if it will only bring him back to lie"
Jim brought the water, and Richard moaned,
while sudden trembling seized him. Mr
Somers dashed little of it on his face, and the
ically, opened his eyes, and " ouch " escaped
his lips.
What does this mean ~ he asked feebly
" | thought would arouse you. Isn't it glo-
rous to be such actor the stage of life ~
Mr.. Somers said malicousIy.
Richard stared at him blankly
/" Oh don't fegn innocence, young man. This
scene is about played, and we will excuse the
prime actor"
The rejected lover arose, seized his pistol, and
left the room, looking rather cowcd.
"Philip, he is not my victim, after all and
now can you forgive me for my share in the late
scene?
clam bewildered. / feel like one in a dream ,"
he replied.
"Allow me to read this note, and perhaps it
will relieve your mind of all apprehensions."
She drew Richard's note from her pocket, and
then read
" DEAR CHUM:-I received your letter some
time ago, seize my first opportunity to respond,
but my mind is wholly occupied with the subject
of matrmony. can think of nothing else.
:" The elite of this little two-wheeled, four-by-
six town think me model young man, thanks
to the art of deception. | have baited my matri-
monial hook to catch golden fish. She is the
only child Of old Dan he's as rich as fool !;
and Agatha-well she's proud and starchy, and
think I've made good impression on her soft
heart.
81 wouldn't have any doubts in regard to my
success if Phil Tasso were in the bottom of the
Red Sea-hang him. He is the coolest headed
fellow ever knew one of the sanity fools that
are too proud to tell decent lie. He won t even
honor a saloon with a glance, but turns his face
away as he passes one, so as not to inhale the
perfume of the old King Alcohol. But will
check mate him yet, and as the duns are begin
ming to come thick and fast must bring matters
to a focus. Women sOG-brained fools, and
am the one to teach them a lesson.
"IlI propose this evening and if she rejects
me III commit suicide with paper wad) and
fall at her feet. She will then throw herself upon
my defunct body, kiss my pale lips, and i'm piore
me to come back to life for her, and of course
III come Isn't it glorious to be such an able
actor on the stage of life ?
But such things will play ont I've worn my
moral cloak so long that it is getting threadbare,
and if don't secure the heiress soon, it won't
conceal the dark spots on my character. If old
S)mers gets an inking OF my 'ten nights in the
bar-room,' it will be goodbye John with me.
" You must hold yourself in readiness to be
first groomsman, as shall call upon you shortly
TO act in that capacity.
"pll write anon and give you the details of
my proposal Yours truly,
RICHARD ANDRE"
"This letter was addressed to me through care
lessness, and thereby the true character of the