The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-06-11

die, she should go in and listen to such con-
LESSONS as he wished to make. In them, if
ne spoke Of her tenderly, compassonately,
she'd forego the dire vengeance she had
planned to inflict on him when he lay help
less 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. she would
have no mercy on him. At1 e.
When Eunicc, deaf and dumb servant
gill at the farmhouse, was safely asleep,
Mrs. Blake made such alteration in her
dress as was necessary. white handker-
chief was drawn low down on her forehead,
and folded over her face in such manner
as to conceal the greater portion of it, and
| Macon's black silk cravat was smoothed
| out and tied over that, in the form of the
| hoods worn by the Catholic nuns when
| walking abroad. She then entered the fee
bly, lighted room, and sat down in the chair
which Hester resigned at her approrch. At
the movement, the dying man Enclosed his
eyes. and in a faint voice, said: f
''How good you were to come to me i'll
this extremity. This young girl has ex
planned to me that you consented to do so
as soon as you heard that son of Mother
Church needed your help;", but some sub
| tie power must have conveyed to him the
| knowledge that something inimical had APP
preached 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 have suffered-how bitter cup
have drained inatoncment of the one act of
my life which brought unhappiness to one
who thought she had the right to ayenge
herself upon me.''
In voice scarcely above whisper, Mrs.
Blake said:
"My son, forgive as you hope to be for
given, and all will be well 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.D @ yTf fHt-SrE
"Was the wrong against you so unmcrit-
ed, that you feel thus bitterly ?"
| "Unmerited Yes; / assert that, and
believe it. She who committed it was one
| did not love, though / was tricked into a
marriage with her, <
In d faltering voice Mrs. Blake said:
"You did not love her! are you quite
sure of that?n
Landry was too deeply absorbed in his
own thoughts to notice the menacing tone
that thrilled through the muffled voice of
! the speaker. @ <aEA
"No, never loved her,"
SIS it Just to lay all the blame upon the
woman who risked SO much to gain legal
claim upon you? To those who have loved
| truly much should be forgiven; and she, you
saw. loved you.D a. ~ $500
] I gave her all that she had a right to
claim at my hands-and had she so wiled
it, would have sent her from me as free
from reproach as in the hour 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. if | were free again. to win me
back. and-and-I can not tell YOU what
she did in return for the forbearance had
shown toward her. 1t is her secret, and /
will not reveal it even in this hour, but it is
that which / now find it impossible to for
give. If YOU can give me absolution.
knowing that. / will accept it gladly at youI,
hands. although YOU are not one of the ac-
credited ministers of our holy church,
The heart of Mrs, Blake hardened as
she listened. She felt the blood surging
through her veins with fiery swiftness. and
all the passion of her tropical nature burst
forth,
She tore the shrouding folds from her
head and face, and started to her feet,
standing over him as a menacing fate. she
mockjngly said:
.sSuch consolation as can rive, YOU are
welcome to. Armand Landry. Whether it
will facilitate your entrance to the Paradise
in which your lost Ellinor dwells, or into
the Hades in which | shall hereafter claim
you, leave you to imagine. Look at the
woman you cast off so lightly-the woman
who believed that you loved her--and cover
before her glance as you soon will shrink
before that of the Omnipotent Being who
/ will Judge between u.s."
fou-you mere r. ne exclaimed, III q
loud, harsh voice. HOW dare you APP
proacn me How dare you proiane the
sacred character you nave assumed iof the
purpose OF lntruding upon a presence that
was forbidden you! Hagar blake, you
have been the curse o.. Of my ne, ana IN death
you persecute me sun. 70 /! l command
you TO leave 'e TINS room s,npoiiu'edl by the
presence OF amuraeress. e
hagars eyes oiazed oack deiiance, ana
she saulltilsly saiu
You are IN no positioh moto 70 enforce
your WIN. gu are N my power, not IN
| /