Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-17
cr' that the hsttsissef, VINO was still IN.

becilitv BY drugs which the Doctor Should
skilfuiiy administer to her for that pur-
pose. and Hester-whose resemblance to
her was 50 close as to defy detection
should usurp her place as heiress Of the
immense estates entailed upon the half
sister through her mother.
The inducement to DR.. Macon was Hes.
ter's promise, on the Accomplishment ofthe
scheme, to become his wife. 4
But when Hester came to read over the
letters which lay concealed in the bottom
of her half-sister' trunk, she found among
them several from Raymond De Lorme, q
handsome young man whom she remern-
bered as her own first lover at the South,
when she was little more than child.
These letters were written in most i'm
passioned strain, and showed that between
him and his fair OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Landry, Hester's now stricken half-slster
"A marriage engagement existed.
No sooner had Hester discovered this
fact than her old love for De Lorme was
rekinded. and she resolved at once to
have him also, as well as Estelle's fortune,
let whatever obstacles might be in the
way. He was now absent in Europe, to
remain year or two, and her purpose
must be most carefully concealed from
DR.. Macon but, come what would, the
Young man should yet be hers.
Mrs. Blake's housekceper, Mrs. Muller,
a German woman with an American edu-
cation. was great gossip, and cunning.
selfish, evil-minded woman. Hester, at
her mothers suggestion, had turned the
kew on the outside of Mrs. Muller's sleep
ing room. while their Internal plot had
been planned; but the suspicious woman
happened to be awake, and she had 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 she had obtained unknown to them.
On the following day Mr.. Landry felt
h:s end rapidly approaching He had for
hidden peremptorly thar Mrs Blake
should be admitted to his presence; but
Mrs. Blake had determined to see him be-
fore he died lie was yery anxious for a
oonfessor and was finally told that al
though there was no priest accessible. a
Sister of Charity might be obtained.
This assurance afforded him great relief,
and he desired that no time might be lost
in sending for her.
Mrs. Blake determined to improve this
opportunity to see him, without his recog-
nizing her, and to visit him in the disguise
of O Sister.
1t was arranged that after night when
the room was dim)y lighted by single can
die, she should go in and listen to snch
confessions az he wished to make. In
them. ifhe spoke Of her tenderly, compass
sionateiy, she would forego the dire ven-
geance she had planned TO inflict on him
when he lay helpless before her. breathing
his soul away in doubt and dread of what
the future life might bring to him. If he
Judged her hardly and cruelty at the last g,
she would have no mercy on him.
When Eunice. deaf and dnmh servant
girl at the farmhouse, was safely asleep,
Mrs. Blake made such alteration in her
dress as was necessary. A white hand
kerchief was drawn low down on her fore
head, and folded over her face in such 4
manner as to conceal the portion OF it, and
Alacon's black crayat was smOothed Out
and tied over that, in the form OF the hood
worn by the Catholic nuns when walking
abroad She then entered the feebly light
ed room, and sat down in the chair which
Hester resigned at her approach. AT thu
movement, the dying man Enclosed hi
eyes, and in a faint voice, said:
.How good you were to come to me il
this extremity. This young girl has ex
planned to me that you consented to do 5,
AS soon as you heard that son of Mothe
Church needed your help; but some sub
tie power must have conveyed to him the
knowledge that something inimical hat
approached him, for he suddenly seemed
to struggle with some deadly oppression,
and sinking back, he murmured:
.Too late fear that shall die before
can say what wished. must confess
must have dissolution. for have sinned.
But i have suffered-how bitter cup
have drained in atonement of the one act
of my life which brought unhappiness to
one who thought she had the right to
avenge herself upon me-
In voice scarcely above "A whisper
Mr.. Blake said:
my son, forgive as you hope to he for
given. and all will be we'll with YOU"
''Ah that is what cannot do for there
is one sin and one sinner that | have not
forgiven. But for that could die in
peace"
WAS the wrong against you so nnmelt-
ed. that you feel thus bitterly"
''Unmeritedi Yes assert that, and
believe it. She who committed it was one
| did not love, though was tricked into a
marriage with her
In a faltering voice Mrs. Blake said:
You did not love her. Are Won quite
sure of that?"
Landry was too deeply absorbed in his
own thoughts to notice the menacing tone
that thrilled through the mulled voice of
the speaker.
mo, | never loved her
''Is it just to lay all the blame upon the
woman who risked so much 10 gain legal
claim upon you? To those who have
loved truly, much should be forgiven
and she, you say, loved YOU.
II gave her all that she had right 10
claim at my hands--and had she so willed
it, | would have sent her from me rs free
from reproach as in the honr of our first
unfortunate meeting. But she would not
GO. was very young. | loved the child
she gave me, and through her the mother
hoped, il were free again, to win me
back, and-and-l cannot tell You what
she did in return for the forbearance had
shown toward her. Ii is her secret and
VIII not reveal ii even in this hour. bur il