Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-06-17
remembered as her own first lover at the

hat between him and his fair CORES "a
pendent -Estelle Landry, Hester's now VI
stricken halfsister-a marriage engage
ment existed. 80. r.
No sooner had Hester discovered TINS Ju
fact than her old love for De Lorme was ~
rekindled, and she resolved at once 10 IL
have him also, az we'll as Estelle's fortune, y
ie, whatever obstacles might be IN the Ii
,,,av lie was now absent in Europe, to U
reIoin a wear or two, and her purpose y
,,,,,st he most carefully concealed from v
Dr Macon; but come what would, the 81
young man shorld yet be hers Il
Mrs Blake's housekeeper, Mrs. Muller, u
a German wo nan with an American I
education, was great gossip, and cum t
ming, selfish, evil minded woman. Hester,
at her mothers suggestion, had turned q
the KEY on the outside of Mrs. Mullors S
sleeping room, while their Internal plot {
had been planned; but the suspicious
woman happened to be awake. and she {
risen and emerging through window,
crept around where she could listen TO
all they said. She too, now, meant to
have her profit out of the scheme, the
secret of which sue had obtained
unknown to them.
On the following day Mr.. Landry felt
his end rapidly approaching He had
forbidden peremptonly that Mrs. Blake
should be admitted to his presence but
Mrs. Blake had determined TO see him !
before he died He was very anxious for
a confessor; and was finally told that
although there was no priest accessible,
Sister of Charity might be obtained. This
assurance afforded him great reliet, and
he desired that no time might be lost IN
o sending for her.
Mrs. Blake determined to improve this
= opportunity to see him, without his rec
9 ognizing her, and to visit him in the dis
n guise of Sister.
!, IL was arranged that after night, when
the room was dimly lighted by single
4 candle, she should 60 IN and listen TO
~ such confessions as he wished to make
= In them, if he spoke OF her tender-y, com
a passionately, she would forego the DIRE
I vengeance she had planned 10 intilc; on
10 him when he lay helpless before her,
breathing his soul away in doubt and
a dread. II he judged her hardly and
.. cruelty at the last, she would have nc
II mercy on him.
When Eunice deaf and dumb servant
H., girl at the farmhouse, was safely asleep
Mrs. Blake made such alteration IN hel
dress as WAS ltCtSSAIN. ~ "ulbC uhLA
~ kerchief was drawn low down on her fore
~ head, and folded over her face in such
'af manner as to concea 1.-THE greater portion
Va of. and Nacon's black silk cravat wa
Nv smoothed out and tied over that, in tn
~ form OF the hoods worn by Catholic nun
"a when walking abroad. She then entere
I'd the feebly lighted room, and sat down
nH the chair which Hester resigned at be
IL A. tho HvIn
" man Enclosed his eyes, and in fam
tar voice, SAID
~ How good you were 10 come to me l
Wv, Wv, this extremity. This young girl has e.
~. planned to me that you consented to do s
cor as soon as you heard that a son of Motht
80 Church needed your help; but sou
49, subtle power must have conveyed to IN
So the knowledge that something mimic
i'' had approached him, for he sudden
,.,s seemed 10 struggle with some deadly o.
IS preston. and sinking back, he murmurec
u "Too late fear that l shall die befo
Wy can say what | wished. l must confe
~ must have absolution, for have slime
'DS But have sulFered-how bitter a cup
have drained in atonement of the one a
.a.o of my life which brought unhappiness
49, one who thought she had the right
avenge herselT upon me
Dir In voice scarcely above whisper, NJ
NO. Blake said
ha5 "My son, forgive as you hope to be fl
4 80 given, and all will be well with you
"Ah that is what | cannot do;
,4t,. there is one sin and one sinner that ha
So not forgiven. But for that l could die
peace"
aud WAS the wrong against you so |
go, merited, that you feel thus bitterly
"Unmerited Yes; | assert that, AM
be believe it. She who committed it was {
fsit l did not love though l was trlcked il
,uld marriage with her
, of In falteriDg voice Mrs Blake said
"You did not l0Ue her ! Are you qu
ssb sure of that 2"
nth Landry was too deeply absorbed 10
az own thoughts to notice the menacing t.
A in that thrilled through the mutfled voice
,ord the speaker
"No, / never loved her"
lis il lust to lay the blame upon
woman who rIsked So much to gain lie
t no claim upon you? To those who h
r re loved truly, much should be forgiven;
line. she you say, loved YOU
ing Z" gave her ali that she had right
ie rs claim at my hands-and had sue so vii
ana IL, | would have sent her from me as
: me from reproach as in the hour of our
unfortunate meeting. But she would
cage 90 | was very young. | loved tue cl
not she gave me, and through her the mot
nded hoped, If | were free again, to win
! her back, and-and- | cannot tell you v
she did in return for the torbearance l
shown toward her IL is he secret, al
will not reveal it even in this hour, but
but that which now find il Impossible TO
1er give. If you can give me absolut
viii knowing that l will accept it gladll
Y. your hands, although you are not ont
7 Ar the accredited ministers of our II
lake, Church"
re we The heart of Mrs. Blake hardened
his she listeEed She felt the blood surg
through her veins with fiery swIftI
aud all the passion Of her tropical ma
burst forth.
.UGu She tore the shrouding folds from
head and face, and started to her
Hage standing over him as d menacing fate
er, she mockingly said
ars of "Such consolation as | can give, you
emily welcome to, Armand Landry. Whe
tOyed it will facilitate your entrance to
time; Paradise in which your lost EllinOr DIV
cided or into the Hades in which ] shall i
even. after claim you, leave you to imae
As Look at the woman you cast off so Ii
I the ly, the woman who believed you loved
en-. and cover before her glance as you
wing will shrink before that of the Dunn
ming, tent Being who will Judge between u
# the "You-you here he exclaimed,
lady loud, harsh voice. How dare you
be at proach me How dare you profant
which sacred character you have assumed fol
uired purpose of intruding upon. pres
ler. that was forbidden you Hagar Is
D was you have been the curse of my life, al
e and death you prosecute me still. ca
eeper command you to leave this room unpo
4 the ed by the presence of a murderess."
acct Hagars eyes blazed back defiance
ID the she tauntlngIy said
lance "Gou are IN no position no" 10 GU On,
your will. You are in my power, mol
allied yours, and intend to pay you back
Cor oil the bitterness YOU