The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26

room. Seating herself by the window,
she looked out on the calm, peaceful
night; but there was a hard, fixed look
ON her face, and II dangerous light in
her eyes. There she sat, rocking back
and forth in her rich evening dress, un-
til the gray dawn appeared, never think
ing of sleep, or of aught except the
black, cruel deed she was on the verge
of committing.
The next day the party went on a
fishing excursion. Philip excused him
self, and taking book he sauntered out
on the lawn. Behind the summer-house
was line of thick and shady shrubbery.
Throwing himself OH the soft, velvety
grass, he read for some time, and then
dropped asleep. He was'areused by the
sound of voices, as he thought, and
peeping through the branches he saw
Bernice in the summer-house, reading
aloud from large, black book. At
first he thought he would speak, but
the words she was reading held him
fastened as it were.
"Thls poison is quick and sure, and
leaves no trace behind. This is what 1
want. No trace. But who would dare
suspect me-Bernice yaugn of murder
Oh, that is fearful word," she said,
shuddering. Sometimes 1 think can
not, cannot do it. 1 have never been
guilty of numbering a person, for Leslie
Leigh died by his own hand; yet 1
know 1 was the cause of it. Oh, 1 shall
never forget his words that night at the
ball. 'Bernice, you have led me on and
on, and now, If you reject me, shall
die Mark n | shall dial
"BIt 1 spurned him from me and
yet I loved him as 1 can never love
again. That night while was flirting
and listening to the honeyed praises
from strangers lips, he died. The mer-
ciful rouge hid the pallor on my face
when heard the news, and my laugh
was gayer than ever as mingled in the
dance, for none knew I was murderess
at heart. But he was poor artist, and
L could i'll afford to become poor mans
bride. People say of me, She is cruel,
heartless,' and so 1 am; but 1 cannot
forget. and Leslie is continually before
me. l feel that I am welded to his
spirit" she moaned. Eyes, 1 suppose
Ethel Mays white face will haunt me-
But marry Philip Earle must and will !.
My fortune is gone, but when am mis-
tress of The Elms, will plunge into So
ciety the gayest of the gay. I will be
their acknowledged queen, and in my
reign of triumph I shall forget Ethels
death. Yes, have planned it well. 1
will let her be glad in anticipation until
the tableau before the marriage, then
she shall drink the poisoned glass of
wine, and-never mind the rest, for my
path will be clear, and Philip all my
own. Nonsense !" she said, starting to
her feet. 81 have been talking aloud
as usual. / must be more careful, for
sometime this habit may betray me.
But now there is no one to listen except
the birds, and none can interpret their
songs. Well, I must go back to the
house, for if the party return they'll say
my headache was q poor excuse to re-
main at home"
And she glided up the lawn, leaving
Philip almost stunned by the astonish-
ing revelation he had just listened to.
He could scarcely realize that he had
heard a woman so coolly plan the mur-
der of fellow being and he shuddered
when he thought how near she had come
to accomplishing the deed.
The excursionists were already re-
turning, and he must return to the
house or they would wonder at his alb
sence. He had formed no plan to act
upon, only to watch and wait without
Bernice's knowing that she was sus-
pected.
Evening came, and the tableaux were
passing off finely. Every one was pleased
with the success of the entertainment so
far. Philip had watched Bernice's every
movement. Unsuspected by her he fol-
lowed her footsteps from room to room,
seemingly careless, but oh so eager in
his watch. Just before it was time for
Ethel to dress for the marriage, Bernice
glIded into her dressing-room, and Phil
ip, looking in at the open window, saw
her prepare two glasses of wine. Into
one she dropped white powder, saying
to herself
"The right hand glass for the bride.
Ha! ha! the bride, of death J" and she
stote softly out of the room.
1t was but the work of moment for
Phil to empty the poisoned draught, and
fill the glass with water colored with
wine and when Berfice returned with
Ethel, the glasses appeared as she left
them, and everything was the same as
before.
"See here, darling" Bernice said
"you are looking pale and tired, SO am
I, and l got some wine, knowing il
would do us both good"
"I don't care for any, Bernice, thank
you," Ethel replied.
"Oh, yes, drink it that's dear you
surely won't refuse when got it on
purpose for you."
"Did you? You are very kind, Ber-
NICE" Ethel said, as she raised the glas:
to her lips.
Bernice hurried from the room, leav-
ing Ethel to dress, saying exultingly,-
"It is almost over"
Tie marriage ceremony had been per.
formed, and there was perfect buzz Of
surprise throughout the rooms, but Ber.
nice stood silent and motionless watch,
ing eagerly Ethel's every movement. Al
moment after moment sped away, and
there was no change, Phil noticed the
surprised and perplexed look on hel
face, and shuddered to think how neal
she had come to robbing him of life
long happiness.
Every one excepting Bernice had
wished the happy couple JOY, and she
kept silent, thinking the poison mus
soon take effect. But now she felt she
must say something, or be conspicuous
so she stepped forward to offer her con
gratulations. These two words, "Allow