The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-05-23

by servant As he glanced at it the hot
blood flushed his haggard face. Helen
was the singer, and she was waiting for
him in the conservatory.
You will pardon me for coming here"
she wrote; ''it is for your own sake wish
to speak with YOU. came with an in
vited guest, and as Dulcie De Leon, the
prima donna, no one recognizes me as
one who was once known by anothe.'
name"
Poor heart. poor, broken heart. true
to the last" he murmured, and two great
tears rolled down and smirched the note
he held with quivering fingers.
He went to the conservatory. Bv the
fountain, beside Il tall Egyptian lily, he
saw grant figure in dead-bIack robes,
and noble head with single white
flower IN the golden hair.
''Why are You here, Helen:' ne asked.
kindly.
For moment she looked at him. her
dusky gray eyes full Of trouble and visit
full surprise. She could have flung her
self down among the flowers and sobbed
aloud her grief, when she saw the sad
change those few years had wrought up
on the handsome, spirited man she had
so dearly Ioyed. But she answered him
with quiet gentleness.
II have come to save you, Stephen
she said.
YOU" he returned, in troubled
whisper.
Yes, Stephen" she replied; ''tor the
love you once bore me, tor the sake Of
the old happy DAYS, have come to be-
frieni you, for before Tomorrow sun
goes down there will not be another in
all this great city TO defend or to help
you.
He was too troubled to wonder now she
knew so intimately OF his mistortunes and
of the disgracefuI calamity that threaten
ed him, and he turned Il fearful glance
toward the entrance seen across the par
Tor where Cleiia. IL her rabies and amber
silk, stood among her guests with laugh
on hsr lips.
'You have been suspected OF a mon
stlous fraud" went ON Helen, sadly; Tor
many weeks your accusers have been
searching for proof against you. They
have obtained sufficient tc justify your
arrest. You may be imprisoned within
the hour l could not live ana know that
you were suffering such open shame. For
the sake OF our dear child, impIore you
to do as | shall advise you. Ready funds
l know you have not. have made much
money since began the life of a public
singer. That is placed at your disposal,
and have brought here with me enough
for your present demands. Take it.
Stoy,knp he
Il cannot" he gasped; Helen cannot
Besides | shall never go into prison.
The shock ofarrest would strike me dead.
The old heart trouble, accelerated by the
excitement of recen, events, gives me
warning of the sort of death our good
doctor prophsied for me so long ago. My
mistaken life is nearly ended, Helen
As he spoke. and while HELEN was re-
garding him with mournful anxiety, he
turned aga and gazed across the parlor
toward the entrance. Some person had
just entered whom Celia had approached
with displeasure and imperious impa-
tiecce. Instictively he knew what it
ment.
He took step forward, and saw be-
yond the fash of jew is and the gle I'M Of
flowers three strange forms standing like
grim sentinels outside the parlor door in
the dazzle of light that filled the hall.
He knew they were officers of the law.
He grew deadly pale, and a convulsive
tremor shook him from head to foot. He
gasped. reeled, and as if struck by a
heavy blow, dropped down among the
sheltering lilies.
All the sleepless anxiety, the ceas.ess
agony, the ruthless remorse and dread
that had hacked him for weeks, had cul
minated in the mortal shock he had Just
presaged.
Instantly his repudiated wife ason
her knees beside him holding TIE poor
head to her baeast.
20, Stephen speak to me. she i'm
ploted.
1T is all over. Helen he said. family.
The time that you predicted has come,
and acknowledge YOU my first and last
and best beloved. True heart, dear saint,
in your arms de content.
Stephen Darrell lever spoke again: for
him the tragedy of life was done.
The guests were gone. and Celia sat
Il Que afHpuG kut WltucIiu--
the splendid parior, disdaining svmpa
thy.
Your husband is dead" size was told
Sullen and naughty still. she made no
sign that she heard They thought that
sudden grlef had stunned her.
Mr.. Darrell was kind husban II
said the maid who attended her lady that
night.
lie disgraced me-" was the heartless
answer.
She was susceptible of a keen sense OF
| disgrace. she could bewaii the loss O:
wealth. she could wiring be- hands and
weep tie dereliction of the fashionable
friends who forgot to send condolences.
bu. not one tear did she give TO the mem
orv of the man whom she had lured to
his doom.
1t was Helen who saw the last sod laid
upon the dead mans grave. and who
placed thereon floral tablet OF Amaran;h
and asphoael lettered with snow white
buds NY best beloved"