Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-10-06
The Serpent Bracelet.

Stoneleigh Hall lifted itself a huge
pile of gray, compromising masonry
against a dull sky. On the right, bare
hills arose, their ruggedness scarcely
mellowed by distance; and on the left
a wide stretch of marshy flats, with the
river crawling sluggishly through. For
the rest, there was only the broad turn
pike road, narrowing in gray perspec-
tive, and a smoky cloud with a tongue
of flame visible here and there where
the tallest chimneys pierced it, to indi-
cate the position of the town.
Henry Lawrence, riding slowly along
the road, gazed wistfully towards the
Hall, and half checked his horse a. he
came opposite the avenue gates. Re
turning a few hours later, through the
duskiness of early night, he found the
Hall all aglow with ruddy light. There
was no hesitation in his manner now,
as he rode Immediately 10 the stables,
and himself attended TO the comfort of
his horse. Evidently he was perfectly
at home with the place and its sur
rOundings.
Having accomplished this task, he
turned towards the house, but stopped
midway up the path. A tiny red spark
cleaned AT him from the midst of the
dead leaves strewn in sodden heaps
and, STOPPING, he assured himself of the
actuality of the thing which strnck him
with a sudden chill. Only a cigar, vet
holding its heart of fire, which told that
it had but a moment before left the lips
of the smoker. In an instant he had
received the evidence of this mute wit
ness, and shut his heart against the
reasonings and palpitations less jeal-
Gus nature might have entertained.
Captain Stoneleigh never smoked.
Therefore an intruder had been upon
the grounds; and who so likely as the
man on whom he lavished all the bit
terne>s of his hate, George st. Mark.
Into spacious room, with a great
fire blazing on the hearth, numbered
with heavy old furniture, and occupied
by two persOns-Captain Stoneleigh
DOING in his great chair, and Louise,
his Youngest daughter, crouched upon
an ottoman, building up air-castles and
fancying their outlines pictured ill the
glowing embers. They both started as
Henry Lawrence entered, and gave him
Il cordial welcome.
Where is Eliza?' he asked.
At the instant she appeared upon the
Threshold, rendering reply superflu-
Gus.
Henry, scarcely expected you to-
night The wind has risen almost to
gale, papa. l pity any poor creature
obliged TO be OUT
Necessity, which knows no law, can
not be expected to finch where inclina-
ton delights to venture. Even tins
searching blast does not preclude the
possibility of clandestine amours, l
1ind.'
You are tired and chilled, and con-
Sequently cross, Louise announced
You shall have mulled wine and
sponge cake, to put you in good hu-
mor.' And on hospitable thoughts in
tent, she fitted away.
Captain Stoneleigh was doing again
and Henry drew Eliza imperatively
aside.
Are you deceivins me again' He
has been here tonight, l know.
who has been here, Mr.. Lawrence
and in what manner have L ever de-
ceiyed you?'
George st. Mark he said, ignoring
the latter part of her query. You
will not deny it?'
Il never deny the truth, she said,
coldlv.
And this is woman's faithr he said.
Mans injustice, rather she re-
torted. Henry, Will you never trust
me, Must you always imagine noun
tains of intrigue where not shadow of
actual intercourse exists:
What can L tlink?' he demanded.
You assured me yesterday that you
were scarcely acquainted with that
man, and believed you in the face OF
direct evidence. This evening l have
discovered what a credulous nlnny 4
have BEEN nc. q -
Louise coming in with the wine and
cake put an end to this uncomfortable
tete-a-tete. Almost simultaneously Miss
Gresham entered, and, after passing
situations with Henry took seat near
Eliza. They were cousins, and, IN
point of general resemblance, enough
alike to have been mistaken for twin
sisters. Their forms and features were
almost identical, and both. possessed
abundant blonde hair; but Eliza
waved and glinted, while Miss Gre
sham's was straight and OF a dead,
changeless hue. =a
By-and-by, Henry rose to depart,
and the captain came out of his nap TO
see him drawing on his gloves.
You are not going away to-nlght:
he cried out i'm astonishment. Don
think of it,'
Il regret the necessity which Will not
permit of my encroaching upon your
hospitality this time
Louise followed him to the door.
Have you been quarreling with
Eliza:' she asked.
And If | have, little Lou?'
'She is so sensitive, she will not brook
complaint. Don't toll the death-knel'
to your own happiness. ,
Eliza looked into the hall undecidediy
and then came swiftly toward them. =
Let us part friends she said, ex-
tending her hand. Il could not sleep
tonight if l thought you had gone away
angry
Forgive me if 1 judged you rashlyi
Eliza
This once, yes. But you must trus'
me fully
He stopped over the hand he held
and, doing so, noted the bracelet on heI
wrist. A coiled serpent, with quiverins