Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-06-28
= 2leasamt Storp.
ONE, FIVE AND NINE.

81 say again, Edmund, l will not
read it. Keep it and gloat over it as the
evidence of your ingratitude, and my mis-
cry, if you will but put it out of my
sight, or will not answer for my ac-
tons"
Still he held the letter toward me,
silently, with the same strange smile
lighting up his boyish face.
"Why do you torture me?' l cried,
restraining myself with an effort ,'You
have robbed me of my treasure. You
have destroyed the sole aim of my life
Let that content you"
"You are mad" he said, with an ir-
ritating calmness. eff you would read
the letter you might better understand
the full extent of the wrong | have done
you"
| tore the letter from his hand and
flung it upon the glowing CRATE. 1t
sprang into fame and rolled off upon
the floor in three heaps of ashes. Then
| turned and confronted him. The quiet,
Multiplying dsdain in his face acted upon
me as the fire had acted upon the paper.
Every foul and dangerous impulse of
my nature burst into fierce flames. But
| controlled all outward signs and stood
looking at him in breathless silence.
He was leaning against the open door
Of the roomy steel safe which was built
into the wall. Whether something in
his attitude, or some whisper from my evil
heart, suggested it, | know not, but a
cold, terrible thought crept upon me as l
gazed at him. The safe was empty; for
[ had removed its contents earlier in the
afternoon, and saw with shudder that
it would be possible for it to contain his
body. In the delirium of my rage and
jealousy, the temptation of an awful re-
venge took firm hold upon me. For
moment, however, | resisted it.
Edmund" | said, calmly, "leave
me. As you hope to live another hour,
get out Of my sight"
"No 1 will not" he returned firmly,
"until you know the contents Of the let
ter you have SO fooishly destroyed"
l struggled no longer against the
temptation but | waited to have one
doubt confirmed.
"Do you love her, Edmund p asked
in asmothered voice.
eyes, dearly" he replied, with the
old strange smile crossing his lips.
"And does" the words stuck in my
throat--"doeS she love you p
Given as | do her." he answered as
before.
"Then love each other in the next
world, for you shall never meet again in
this" | cried, Selling him in my arms
and forcing him towards the safe.
For moment he struggled wildly,
but in vain. His boyish frame was like
an infants beside my maturer strength.
Then he desisted and looked up at me
Would you murder me, Arthur p
ne said, hoarsely. "Madman! YOU
Snow not what you are doing. In Heav-
ms name let me explain p
"Too late Z" | muttered las | savagcly
orced him into the safe and crushed the
,iant door upon him. With scarce
lance at the dial plate which regulated
he lock ] whirled the combination around |
nd the heavy bolt slid into its sockets
With dull thud. lie was buried alive
D tomb more impenctrable than the
eepcst grave ever dug.
-lnsanely exulting over my detcstable
rhine, | sat down to reflect. Surely, I |
aid, / have administered a welI-merited
enlistment with my own hands. The
udas who betrays bis friend and bene-
actor deserves no better fate. For did
ot Edmund owe his very life 10 me |
Did not take him in a homeless, name
sss orphan, and make bin as a younger
roiher 70 me Had not, when young