The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1876-08-04


room. Twenty minutes passed, and she
was back again, bearing steamlng cup
of fragrant Mocha.
Snow, drink this, dearest, to please
me-"
He could not resist her, and drank it
to the dregs.
ssYou did make it strong, Maggie"
he said, s'for it was almost bitter, but
feel that it will do me good"
A queer expression curled his wife's
lip, at this remark, and the quick color
for moment flushed her delicate cheek.
But, settmS the cup aside, she gently
smoothed his head, until, beneath her
light touch, he fell asleep.
Then up she sprang, all strength and
nerve; gave hasty glance at her watch,
and began hastily to array herself in a
dark travelling robe Her next move
was to unlock an elegant casket which
stood upon her dressing table, from
which she took set after set OF costly
jewels. These she fastened about her
person and clothing, and then rang her
bell.
Soon light tap upon the door an
swered her summons, and going out
side the door, she found, as she expect
ed, her maid.
"Mary," she began, in low, hurried
tones, lean trust you to follow i'm
plicitly the directions | am about to give
you 2"
Eyes, ma'am,' answered the girl
quietly.
81 thought 1 might. I am going
away. 1t is now eight O'Clock. and |
shall be just in time to catch the New
York train. want you to tell your
master, when he awakes, that am out,
but that | will soon be back, and that |
told-you to bring him cup of tea
Aud, Mary, want you to put tea
spoonful from this vial into the tea
He is SO exhausted that he will be sick
unless he sleeps along time. Will you
remember ?"
''Yes, ma'am."
81 shall be back tomorrow evening""
she went on. 81 do not wish Mr.. Man
ming under any circumstances to know
where | have gone. Are you sure You
understand 20
''Yes, ma'am."
"Well, send James around at once
with the carnage, for have no time to
lose -
Another hour. and Maggie Manning,
the devoted wife, was speeding rapidly
toward New York. The brave little
woman did not sleep until her goal was
reached, her business transacted, and
she had returned homo again Then
hearing that, although her husband had
twice aroused and asked for her, lie was
now sleeping again, she threw herself
upon her bed and snatched an hour or
two of rest
She was at length awakened by her
maid, who said that Mr.. Manning had
woke again aid was anxiously asking
for her.
She rose, batl.ed her wan face, and
hastened to him.
s'AIaggie, think-I am sure-I have
been drugged," were his first words.
"Did you do it 20
eyes, dear, 1 did, she answered
bravely, 'Efor you sadly needed rest, AID
your nerves were SO wrought up, that
sleep, without an anodyne, was next to
sn impossibility. BESIDES | could not
accomplish what | wished to do unless
had you obedlently under this little
thumb of mine," she added laughing Y,
with spice of the old mischief that had
attracted linn so when she was girl.
"What do YOU mean ?'' he asked, as
tonished.
s'l mean that | have been to New
York and back since | saw you last''
s''Fo New York and back! Are you
crazy ?''
ssI think not Now listen, dear, aud
T L.,
be inexpressibly comforted if You could
only pay your help, and that it would
take from five to eight thousand dollars
to do it. knew that my jewels were
very valuable, for own that | have
| been fond of jewels. When we could
afford it, it was all very well. But
Hn0w-f
She stopped moment, and then went
on.
$50 / determined to take them to
New York, where most of them were
purchased, aud sell them. There would
be no chance OF selling item here, Just
now. you know / have been very snc
cessful. Brother Walter transacted all
the business for me Here, dear, are
ten thousand dollars, and You can lit
that heavy burden from your heart.
She drew q package from her bosom,
and put it into bis hands.
"Alaggie, Maggie! You have sacri-
feed all those for me-
He could say no more, but drew her
to him, ana for awhile there was holy
| silence in that room, each heart being
too full for words.
ssSacrifice !'' at length Maggie ans
| wered. ssIt was no sacrifice, Horace
I remember, five years ago, when you
gave me that necklace. was nearly,
yes, entirely, overcome by your lavish
ness; and / kissed the gems, and said to
myself that you were more precious to
me than jewels; and God knows / would
rather never wear another ornament, or
bit OF lace, my two especial weaknesses.
you know she added smiling, "than
see you suffer as you have these last few
davs. Believe me, have been truly
happy in doing this"
Her looks did not belle her words,
for her beautiful face glowed with light