Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-03-24


The druggis, sas an old man, benevolent
looking one, with red cheeks and smiling
mouth, and when size asked for "poson for
rats" be said "Sol' and besmei mildly up
on her.
al want it very strong, said Eve.
49, said the druggist.
"But mol to give more pain than is neces-
sary," said Eve.
"To the rats ?" asked the druggist.
"Yes, saie Eve, "of course; aud it must
be quick, and n't make one llack in the face
80" said the druggist, slowly. "Well,
what shall give you shall not make de rats
black in de face
And with grave countenance he compound
ed powler aud handed j, across the counter.
Eve took it, paid the few cents he asked,
and walked away Once home she went a.
once TO her room and undressed herself and
retired to bed, taking the powder with her,
Oace or twice she tasted it with the tip Of her
tongue, hoping it was not very disagreeable.--
Then, finding it sweet, she bravely swallowed
it.
at is over4 she said. "ob. Heavens, for
give me, and forgive Tom y
And then she laid herself down upon her
pillow. Just as she did SO, the familiar sound
of latch-key in the door below startled her.
Tom had never come at noon-but there be
was now no one else but Tom would walk
in. in that cool way, and how he was calling
her.
ve-Eve-Eyc-where are you ~
Never before had she refused to answer that
voice Why had he come to torture her dying
moments? Hnk
Now be was bouncing up stairs. He was in
the room.
"What is the matter? Are you i'll, Ese3'
he cried.
"No, said she, faintly-"only tired"
"Ah! You look tired, little one, sal he.
81 came home to get the overcoat. Isupposc
you found out by this time that that in the
hall is not mine? wore Johnson's overcoat
home from the Office last night by mistake,
and he is anxious about il. lie asked ne if
there was any one in the house who would DO
apt to NEEDLE with papers or anything in tho
pockets.
." said thought not; balnt a icalons
wiie-eh2 What's The matter, Eve ~
"Oh, Tom !" cried Eve, hysiercally. ooh,
Tom, say it, again 1t was not your coat?
Oh, Tom, kiss me y
"Wby, what's the matter, Eve" cried
Tom. "You must be i'll l."
Then Eve remembered all
"Oh, I'm a wicked woman, Tom y sho
cried. "There were letters in the pocket
love letters r, g Fqcn. / thought YOU
false to me. II took poison, Tom. Tn
going to die-and long to live so. Oh, Tom,
save me ~
"Yes yes" cried Tom. lob, good IIeay-
en- what poison ?"
Mr. Hoffman will know. | bought it Of
him. Perhaps he can save ne (" cried Eve.
And away went Tom, white as death, to Tho
/ druggists around the corner
lie burst into the shop like wbirlwind.
"Tho lady he gasped. "The lady who
/ bought poison here an hour ago She took
it by mistake Cany save herr Haycy you
an autidote2 She is dying I"
"No, no p said tho old German. BE
calm be a. rest No, no she cannot die Of
dat. When lady ask rne for poison dat will
not turn rat plack in dc face, say to myself:
80, smell something's and gives her in do
paper shust leetle sugar and something's
She could take pound. Go home aud tell
her so. I.pever sells poison to yomens datery
and do not wish Dc rat to become plack in do
face. So-be calm :"
So Tom few home again, anl Eve rejoicei
and that johnson was a single man. who at-
mitted himself to be engaged, she did not rip
the patch OF bis coat as she bad at first in
tended