The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-06-14

All! bldb 10 WIldb uO lOT Gucfc Is
one sin and one sinner that l have not for
given. But for that could die in peace"
''Was the wrong against you so unmerited,
that you feel thus bitterly?''
'Unmerited! Yes; l assert that, and 1 be-
lieve it. She who committed it was oneI did
not love, though Twas tricked into marriage
with her.
In faltering voice Mrs. Blake said:
You did not toue her! Are you quite sure
of that ?'' rF1
Landry was too deeply absorbed in his own
thoughts to notice the menacing tone that
thrilled through the muffled voice of the
speaker.
''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
say, loved you"
'I'gave her all that she had right to claim
at my hands-and had she so willed it, /
would have sent her from me as free from re-
proach as in the hour of our first unfortunate
meeting. But she would not go. l 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 l had shown toward her. 1t is
her secret, and will not reveal it even in
this hour, but it is that which l now find it
impossible to forgive. If you can give me alb
solution, knowing that, Will acceptit gladly
at your hands, although you are not one of
the accredited 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 pas
sion OF her tropical nature burst forth
she tore the shrouding folds from her head
and face, and started to her feet, standing ov-
er hlm as menacing fate, as she mockingly
said
"Such consolation as L can give Won 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 1 shall hereafter claim Won. I
leave YOU to imagine. Look at the woman
YOU cast off so lightly-the woman who be-
| iieved that YOU loved her-and COVER before
her glance as you soon will shrink before that
of the Omnipotent Being who will judge be-
tween u.s."
''You-you herep' he exclaimed, in loud,
harsh voice. "How dare you approach me
GLOW dare you profane the sacred character
you have assumed for the purpose of intrud-
ing upon presence that was forbidden you
Hagar Blake, you have been the curse of my
life, and in death you prosecute me still. 60!
l command you to leave this room unpolluted
by the presence of q murderess.'
Hagar's eyes blazed back defiance, and she
tauntingly said:
You are in no position nOw to enforce
your will. You are in my power not 1 in
yours, and 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 his black eyes cleaned
I fiercely from their pallid setting as he
hoarsely asked:
by whose connivance were you permittel
to enter here? If Hester or her betrothed
husband aided you, it will be the worse fol
! them, for in that case will give you nothing