The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-05-17

she, perhaps, might see from some spirit
ual post of observation.
50 having put a on hat, and thick veil,
Eve betook herself down the streets and
around the corner, to the nearest drug
gist's.
The druggist was an old man, a be-
nevolent looking one, with red cheeks
and smiling mouth, and when sne asked
for poison for rats, he said, 49," and
beamed mildly upon her.
81 want it very strong" said Eve.
80" said the druggist.
"But not to give more pain than is
necessary" said Eve.
"To the rats ?' asked the druggist.
Yes, said Eve, of course, and it must
be quick, and not make one black in the
face"
go" said the druggist, slowly.
"Well, what shall give you shall not
make de rat black in de face"
And with grave countenance he com
pounded powder and handed it across
the counter.
Eve took it, paid the few pence he
asked, and walked away.
Once home she went at once to her
room and undressed herself, and retired
to bed taking her powder with her Once
or twice she tasted it with the tip of her
tongue, hoping it was not very disagree
able. Then, finding it sweet, she bravely
swallowed it.
at is over" she said. "Oh, Heaven
forgive me, and forgive Tom"
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 never came homo
at that hour-but there he was now; ne
one else but Tom would walk in, in
that cool way, and now he was calling her.
Eve-Eve-Eve-where are your
Never before had she refused to an
swer that voice. Why had he come to
torture her dying moments? Hark--
Now he was bouncing upstairs. He
was in the room.
"What is the matter? Are you i'll,
Ever cried ne.
"No, only tired" she said family
"Ah, you look tired, little one," said
he. 81 came home to get the overcoat.
1 suppose you've found out by this time
that that in the hall is not mine. l wore
Johnson's overcoat home from the Office
last night by mistake, and he is anxious
about it. He asked me if there was
any one in the house who would be
likely to meddle with papers or any
thing in the pockets. l said no, de-
cidedly mol hadn't Jealous wife--eh
What's the matter, Eve ?'
ooh, Tom l' cried Eve, Historically
"Oh, say itagain Not your coat Z! Oh,
Tom, kiss me-"
"Why, what is the matter, Eve? ?''
cried Tom. "Yeu must be ILL.,"
Then Eve remembered all.
ooh, / am wicked woman, Tom p
she cried. "There were letters in the
pocket-love letters. 1 read them.
though you were false to me. 1 took
poison, Tom. Pm going to die, and !
long to live so. Oh, Tom, save mel"
eyes, yes" cried Tom. "Oh, good
heavensl what poison ?"
"Mr. Hoffman will know. l bought
it of him. Perhaps he can save me p
cried Eve.
And away went Tom, as white as death
to the chemists.
He burst into the shop like a whirl
wind.
"The lady," he gasped. "The lady
who bought poison here an hour ago
She took it by mistake! Can you saw
her? Have you an antidote? She i
dyingP
"No, no !" said the old German. "B
calm-be at rest. No, mol she canno
die of dat. When lady ask me fo
poison dat will not turn a rat black il
de face, l say to myself SO: L smell
someting;' and gives her in de pape
shust little sugar and something's. Sh
could take pound. Go home and tel
her SO. never sells poison to women
dat cry a I'd do not wish de rat to tur
black in de face. So, be calm"
So Tom few home again, and Eve re
ioiced and hearing that johnson was
single man, who admitted himself to bs
engaged, she did not rip the patch off hi
coat as she had at first intended.