The Newtown bee., 1878-01-24

with hook and glillering bait, and made it's escape for lack of the anglers skilful hand.
 "Our poor friend is dead, Alma To think otherwise is only to hope against hope. You know as well as l how the dread of some impending evil hung over him; you kuow it droyo him to what is q strange step for so young q man to take --t the making of his will, and set, ting of all his worldly affairs You know, also, what am forced to believe, that in one of his despouding moods he destroyed himself What else could his solemn charge to me have meant P
 You have told me what that was, Mr Ralh If anything happens, see that Alma's future is assured as have Droyi- dcd for il, Felix. Tell her not To gricvc too much, and may heaven bless her when she makes another and better .choicc, as 1 would wish her to do soon.' lhOae were HIS very "oIus'
 "lIis very words" asscnted Rath "It was the misfortune of his gloomy nature 10 be always assailed by doubts It would be useless to follow the course Of reasoning which may have driven him to his unhappy fate. As his cXecutor ] am bound to carry out the conditions of his will, and at the same lime obey his laiesl charge. And Alma, Alma i listen tu:my love, hopeless while he lived Your grief is my grief too, my love, and all my life will be too short to show you the depth of my devotion" ."
 He rose from his chair and came to- wards her as he uttered that passionate appeal, but. with d sudden uplifting of her hand. Alma waved him back. She, too. arose.
 For the first time he observed the gilt fer of excitement, strongly oppressed, which Was in her eyes, it's glow staining her checks brilliant carnine, and a hint of it breaking her smooth low I0nes.
 "1 his is not the first time you have spoken of your love, premature as you doubtless know such declaration must be. Instead of blessing my choice, should it fall upon you, do you think Elmer would have cause to pray, if he knew of this, Heaven preserve her from such q late r"
 The words struck Roth like galvanic shock, and before he could recover him self to reply, she went on passionately--
 "Once and for all you shall have your answer, Felix Rath. You shall learn all that your pegfdy has ayailed you " She turned her face, radiant now with look he could not understand, and called softly, "Elmer, love" And, as if her voice had power to pierce beyond ihe grave, Elmer Noble stood before them.
 Was it Elmer What did this mean |? Rath drew his breath hard, ice-coll drops started out upon his forehead as he stared in terror and doubt that re- solved itself into certainty as the other spoke.
 "Do you need any further answer, Fe- lix? Need 1 say that while live l will relieve you of all farther trouble regard ing either my future bride or the disp3s- al of my wcalth be assured.'
 Rath, with a cry of rage and disap- poinlment. started forward.
 "Who are you ?' ne demanded. Not Elmer Noble; that know. Alma. you cannot be so deceived. This fellow is an imposlor, like him, indeed, but no more Noble than am."
 Then l would be reft of all nobility indeed, responded the other With pro- yokirg coolncss. Then, sternly, 60 your way, and remember that a blow upon the E cad and plunge in the river do not always kill, my friend"
 Livid, gaeping, hatficd, yet uncor- yipccd, Ralh male final appeal.
 Alma, can you acknowledge this fcl- low in Elmer's stead ?"
 Her calm gaze met his steadily.
 II know him 10 he Elmer. As if could be deceived !"
 And one might not think it wise of you, Of all men, to doubt my identity" cut in Ter companion. grimly.
 But doubt il Raih dId. and in the long watches of the night which followed. he studied oul the explanations ot all which seemed most mysterious to him This man VI hn called himself by Noble's name knew ali that had lranspircd at lhe mill on that fatal night; he had bern lh.re, an unsuspccttd witness of his crime. He WAS making use of this knowledge for his own ends, but he. Rnta, would nor I'e out-d0ne by scheuIing yillhiu like himself. The same means which had proved successful in the others hands might win for hi;n yet.
 When he presented himself al Miss ETuth's house again he WAS refused ad- mission. A week had EoI gone by until he learned thai 6 qu'et marriage was nu the tapis lhere.and will all lhe bitterness Of his yin lictivr uaiuge he followed the course he had already decided upon.