The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-05-07

haunting eyes and quivering lips ever
came, he never gave sign, but dellber-
ately wooed and won Laura st. John.
Laura st. John herself? In the desert
sileAce of her chamber, as she stood
drawing on her gloves-for, with q
pretty wilfulness that was irresistible,
she had driven her maids from her-a
graceful, ebon-robed woman suddenly,
silently, swiftly glided across the glaring
carpet and confronted her, with upraised
veil, and cold, clear eyes.
at is even L, Miss st. John. Surely
you will not despise my congratula-
tions2 2"
Ethel's sweet, low voice it was, and
Laura, after one slight start of great
surprise, bowed constrainedly, and wait
ed.
"I will not detain you more than q
moment, as Mr.. Vivian, doubtless, is
impatient for the moment when he may
call you his wife. Under the peculiar
circumstances, Miss st. John, and to
assure you that bear You no malice,
may L present you with this 2"
She quietly reached out a small rose
wood box that was mounted with silver.
"The key is in the lock, you see, Miss
st. John. Have l the pleasure of know
ing you accept it9"
Ethel sat the box on the marble bu-
reau-top, and then awaited an answer.
Laura's cheeks were flushing slightly
her hands trembled as she essayed to
button her glove, and busy thoughts
were speeding through her brain.
hot Ion
ance of Ethel9 Did it anger i'll or peace
as Ethel declared! Dared this stately,
calm woman in black attack her there
alone, and wreak discarded wife's just
vengeance9 The thought was natural,
and Laura's heart beat in tempestuous
throbs.
"I will accept it, Miss Elmore, and
thank you. And may 1 beg that you
will allow me to finish my toilettteG
would not care to be too late"
This, with wonder in her heart if
Ethel observed her cowardice.
But Mrs. Ethel-Miss Elmore the law
called her-smiled.
Assuredly l would not have you toe
late. / dislike those words, too late.
To the superstitious they sound omin-
Gus. Adieu, Miss st. John; you will be
detained no longer by me, or you might
possibly be too late.
She bowed regally, and left Laura
shivering with vague unrest at the re-
peated words. A moment later and from
her window she saw Ethel going rapidly
down the street, her black veil futtering
like death penant in the brisk breeze.
She drew long breath of relief, and
then turned to the beautiful little rose
wood box with joyous laugh.
Natural curiosity tempts me to see
what her present can be. Possibly some
horrid snake bracelet, or dagger for
my shawl, or something equally delight
full"
She lightly turned the little silver key,
and bent her radiant face over the lid.
She saw tiny, vaporous smoke wreath
roll upward for an instant, and then
The terrible noise of the explosion
brought the Mortified guests to her door,
and they found her lying in her burial
robes, fresh in her goodness-ike beauty,
dead,
On the pink velvet carpet, her eyes
fixed in a stare that was frozen horror,
Edward Vivian bent over her, and knew
for surety what had wrought it, though
no lip then, or afterward, ever uttered
a name in connection with the diabolical
engine whose silver key had unlocked
the portals of deaths domains to Laura
st. John.