Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-09-04

grasp.
Once more l glanced around my pref
ty room.
My husbands eyes looked into mine
from his portrait on the wall, as if 10
spy, For my sake, darling, keep calm.
All rests with you. Do not let me re-
turn 10 find a desolate home, with your
blood staining the threshhold.'
Victor l said suddenly, before we
go on this journey, tell me of yourself
of ali you have been DOING
of myself? What is there to tellY
he questioned, with rising passion in
his voice. 'Of what have been doing
| shall indeed tell you.' Working for
this hour, slaylng for it, enduring for it,
with but one ambition IN the wretched
struggle they call life-to meet you face
to face. to look into your eyes as they
rested on your work, to tell you Of the
burning brain which could find no relief
in tears, the weight of iron breaking the
heart Oh which your hand has placed it.
All. it Is Il little hand, white and fair
--clasping 1t within his own-'even to
lift so monstrous 4 weight; yet you
placed 1t well, not missing single
nerve-slender, pretty fingers, but oh,
so cruel. Elsie, have YOU no remorse"
Victor, you are the cruel one you
DO me injustice unworthy of yours elf!
'Ay, injustice! What do you know Of
the word? You, who sit here in your
beautiful home and let the world go by
unheedcd and uncarod for. What mem-
ory had you for the man you had DOOM
ed. whose struggles, whose agenies you
could watch as the cat plays with the
mouse? | saw him kiss you last night,
the man you call your husband, forget
ting my right TO the tltle-forgetting, in
the sight of heaven that you are my
wife you rested on his arms, you laid
your head upon his shoulder, locking
with adoring eyes into his face. You
whispered words of love in his ear, but
for the last time ! would have killed
him. but that 1 wanted you alone in that
other world to which we are going
Elsie, darling, you Go not fear me?' his
voice suddenly sinking from frenzied
anger to its old tenderness.
At any moment he might draw the
concealed weapon from his pocket-at
any moment plunge the dagger into my
heart.
A scream, struggle, would but make
sure my fate.
What was to be done?
Victor I said, with cunning match
ing his own, let US not die, but live
In death all is uncertainty; in life we
have each other and love-
He glanced with keen suspicion into
my face.
And you love me:' he questioned.
How dare you, then, give your kisses
to that other-the kisses which belong
ed to me? Listen We have no time
to spare. Already they are on my
track. Tonight | saw them, but their
ewes failed 10 find me. They call me
mad, yet I odtwlt them. Nor do l find
il such dificulttask. Yet, ifonce they
seize me they will bear me back to the
place from which | have fled; but not
aliyc-oh. not alive See. Elsiev throw
inc back his coat, and disclosing the
long. narrow, cleaning blade he had
concealed there. FIRST your heart then
mine! You grow pale you tremble.
It will soon be over. A moments
pang; eternal h0ppiness--'
1
His arm is thrown tight around me.
lam powerless even to struggle in his
iron clasp. His words fall Kissing, one
by one, on the still air. Darkness is
gathering around ms-the darkness OF
despair.
The little clock on the mantel chimes
eleven, and remember, with thrill
ofhorror, it is the last time l shall ever
hear 1t strike, when outside sounds a
CHEEKY whistle, and a step 1 recognize
as my husbands upon the pavement
It's firm, manly tread is unmistakabls.
I can fancy his glanclng up at the light
ed windows shining forth their welcome
for him. Another moment his latch
key will be IN the door.
Victor exclaimed, L hear them
coming. He, the spy, is on your track.
Conceal yourself where you were before.
| | will mislead HIM and return to you.
For my sake, be quick
At these last words his hold relaxes.
The old cunning leaps to his eyes.
For your sake,' he whispers.
With sudden spring he is again hid
den behind the folds of the curtain, and
in that moment my husband entered
the room, and rushed TO the shelter
of his arms.
MY darling, what is it? Will youex-
plain. What has happened? l found
these men watching the house, and they
Insist mad man intrusted TO their care
has entered here. 1, of course, have
given them permission to search
l try to speak, but cannot.
The words die in my throat as L
point, tremblingly, 10 the curtain where
| ( can discern. peOring through, Victor's
cleaning eyes.
'Traitress !! heard him exclaim; and
as the men sprang forward, there fol-
|, ILL c,1l