Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-13

hrst unfortunate meeting. 45lJ sac W0a4a
not go. 1 was very young. loved the
child she gave me, and through her tie
mother hoped, if 1 were free again, to win
me back, and-and-I cannot tellyou what
She did in return for the forbearance had
shown toward her. 1t is her secret, and
viii not reveal it even in this hour, but it is
that which now End it impossible to for
give. Ii you can give me absolution, know
ngthat 1 Wiu accept it gladly at your
hands, although yGu are not one of the ac-
credited ministers of our Holy Church"
The heart of Mrs. Blake hardened as she
listened. She felt tie blood surgiDg 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, ald started to her feet,
standing over him as menacing fate, as
she mockingly said:
"Such consolation as I can give, you are
welcome to; Armand Landry. Whether Is
will facilitate your entrance TO the Paradise
in which your lost Ellnor dwells, or into
the Hades in which I shall hereafter claim
you, leave you to imagiRe. Look at the
woman you cast off so Ightly-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 US" 1890 -
" ''You-yOu here" he exclaimed, in a
loud, harsh voice. Chow dare you approach
me? How dare you profane the sacred
character you have assumed for the purpose
Of intruding upon presence that was for
hidden you? Hagar Blake, you have been
the curse of my life, and in death you per-
secute me still. Go l command you to
leave this room unpolluted by the presence
of murderess."
Hagar's eyes blazed back defiance, and
she tauntingly said:
"Yol are in no position llOiU to enforce
your will. You are in my power, not l in
yours, and l intend to pay you back drop for
drop, for all the bitterness you have poured
into my cup and forced me to drink"
The features of Landry were blanched to
the hue of death, and bis black eyes cleaned
fercely from their pallid setting, as he
hoarSely asked:
"By whose connivance were you per-
mitted, to enter here? If Hester or her be-
trothed husband aided you, it viii be the
worse for them, for in that case | will give
her nothing. The paper caused her to
write this morning will be Yaiueless unless
it is signed and witnessed, and now l will
do neither"
ooh, you threaten me with consequences,
do you?" she mockingly asked; "but let me
assure you that it is a matter of indiifer.
enee to me, and also to my daughter,
whether that paperis valueless or not. We
have settled our plans, and rave against
them as you may, you wiz be pOWerless to
prevent them from being carried into eff
feet. Hester will not accept the paltry pro-
vision you have so magnanimously made
for her; she will claim what is hers, in JUS
tice at least-the half of the estate which
is now held by your other children"
''NomaD! what do you mean by that?
All. my God! have l fallen in den of
thieves? Is there no one to help me?
His voice broke suddenly, and he fell
back upon his pillows gaspiDg for breath.
'sNo Onew repeated Mrs. Blake, with
stern emphasis. "You are in this solitary
country house, entirely at my mercy, and
that of those who are willing to do all that
wish. The darling daughter on
whom you have lavished so much
indulgence lies stricken into idiucy
by the inj ITies her head has received. She
Wil never more walk the earth in pride,
looking down in scOrn upon the sister
whom you have bequeathed to her COM
passion. In place Of that, I have decreed
that the two shall change places, and the
child of your adorcd Euinor shall stay with
me, while my daughter assumes the station
of the heiress, AMI wears the honors of her
fathers house. The two sisters are so much
alike that no one will ever be able 70 dis
tinguish the true one from her counter
felt"
The listener felt that the shock of this
announcement had shortened his brief span
CT life; be knew that the death clut CD was
already on his vital5; but he rallied his last
remaining strength, and said, with solemn
emphasis:
"If you consumma,e this wickedn ess, 1
leave to you, and TO the imposter who will
take the place Of my darling, my undying
middleton. God is over all, and he viii
not permit such vilaiCy to go unpu nished,
even in this world"
Mrs. Blake Enclosed her lips TO reply, but
Landry raised his hand apEealinsly, q change
passed over bis sunken face, and with a
prayer on his lips in behalf of his favorite
child be passed away.
Hester arrayed herself in black dress
which she found in Es;elle's trunk, and as
Stunning the name and character OF her half
sister, prepared, on the following day, to &C
company the remains of her father to New
Orleans, for burial, in company with Herbert
Spencer, young man from Boston, cous-
in of Raymond De Lorms's, who had been
sent Oh by the family relations for that pur-
pose. What happened there, and indeed
the whole ofthe thrilling story of the rival
halfsisters, Hester and EstelIe, viii be
found in the New York Ledger, which is
now ready and can be had at all the book
stores and news depots. Ask for the num-
Der dated June o, and in it you will get
the continuation Of the story where it leaves