New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-07-05

have fallen by Decker's pistol, and not
yours" 1.ot,s cheek.
and be would have risen, but Hamu'on hoiu
him fast. -, ia +xvo
"Listen in my pocket you will ma Two
Letters. Take them-there You VIII Kaow
the handwriting. But promise you VIII nos
read them until you are in place OF safety
Jack did not speak, but held the letters
between his fingers as if they had oeen
burning Goals. e...,u
"Wby 3" asked Oskhurst, dropping his
| friends hand cOldly.
because" said the dying man with 2
hitter smil, "Because-when you have READ
them-you-will-g0 back-to capture
and Death"
They we're his last words. He pressed
Jacks hand faulty. Then his grasp re-
laxed, and ne fell back corpse.
Mrs. Decker reclined languidly upon the
sofa with a novel in her hand, While her
husband discussed the politics Of the coun'
try in the bar-room Of the hotel. 1t was a
warm night. and the French window LOOK
ing out upon a little balcony was parIiy
open. Suddenly she heard foot upon me
balcony, and she raised her eyes from tne
book with slight start; The next memen d
the window war hurreuly thrust "loo "nu
a man entered.
Mrs. Decker rose to her feet with little
!For heavens sake. Jack, are you mad
He has only gone for little while-he may
return at any moment. Come an hour
ater-to-morrow-any time when l can
get rid of him-but 60, now' GEAR az
once"
Mr.. Oakhurst walked toward the door,
bolted it. and then faced her without
word. His face was haggard, his coat
sleeve hung loosely over an arm that was
Dandaged and bloody.
Nevertheless her voice did not falter as
she turned again toward him. What has
happened, jack Why are you mere ,s -
in her lap. -,
ITO return your lovers lettess-to kill
you-and then myself" be said in voice
SO low as to be almost inandible.
Among the many virtues OF this admlra-
bic woman was invincible courage. She did
not faint, she did not cry out. She sat
quietly down again, folded ner hands IN her
lap, and said calmly:
..And why should you not!"
Had she recoiled, had she shown any fear
or contrition, had she essayed an explana-
ton or apology, Mr.. Oakhurst would have
looked upon it as an evidence of guilt But
there is no quality that courage recognizes
SO quickly as courage; there is no condition
that desperation bows before but despera-
tor; and Mr.. Oakhurst's power of analasis
was not SO keen as to prevent him from
confoundiug her courage with moral
quality. Even in his fury he could not Eeip
ad,niring this dauntless invalid.
why should you not" she repeated with
smile. You gave me life, health, and
happiness, Jack. You gave me your love.
Why should you not take what you have
given. Go or. l am ready"
She held out her hands with that same
infinite grace of yielding with which she
had taken his own on tie first day of their
meeting at the hotel. Jack raised his
head, looked at her for one wild moment.
dropped upon his knees beside her and
raised the folds of her dress to his feverish
lips. But she was too clever not to instant
~ see her victory; she was too much of
woman. with all her cleverness to refrain
from pressing that victory home. At the
same moment, as with the impulse of an
outraged and wounded woman, she rose
and, with an imperiOus gesture, pointed to
the window Mr.. Oakhurst rose in his turn.
cast one glance upon her, and without an
other word passed out of her presence for
ever.
When he had gone she closed the window
and bolted it, and going to the chimney
fame of the candle until they were con-
sumed. l would not have the reader think
that during this painful operation she was
unmoved. Her hand trembled and-not
being a brute-for some minutes perhaps
longer she felt very badly, and the corners
of her sensitive mouth were depressed.
When her husband arrived it was with
genuine Joy that she ran to him and nestled
against his broad breast with a feeling of
security that thrilled the honest fellow to
the core.
But I've heard dreadful news tonight,
Elsie" said Mr.. Decker, after few endear-
ments were exchanged.
Don't tell me anything dreadful, dear;
I'm not well tonight" she pleaded sweetly.
tom
.'Please.' Mr.. Decker could not resist the
petitionarv grace of those white hands and
that sensitive mouth, and took her to his
arms. Suddenly he said, What's that"
He was pointing to the bosom of her white !
dress. Where Mr.. Oakhurst had touched
her there was spot OF blood.
1t was nothing; she had slightly cut her |
hand in closing the window; it shut so hard! |
If Mr. Decker had remem bered to close and |
oolt the shutter before he went out, he |
might have saved her this. There was such |
a genuine irritability and force in this re-
mark that Mr. Decker was quite overcome |
by re 0ree. but Mis-. DtchcI lorgdNe HlIH
with that graciousness which l have before |
pointed out in these pages, and with the |
halo of that forgiveness and marital conf
dence still lingering above the pair, with |
the readers permission we will leave them |
and return to Mr.. Oakhurst
But not for two weeks. At the end of !
thar time he walked into his rooms in Sac |
remento. and in his old manner took his |
seat at The faro table.
"Hows your arm, Jack!' asked an in
cautious player.
There was smile followed the question, |
which, however. ceased as Jack looked up |
quietly at the speaker.
at bothers my dealing little, bat can |
shoot as we'll with my left"
The game was continued in that decorous |
silence which usually distinguished the |
table at which Mr.. John Oakhurst presided. |
POmpeii. |