The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-08-29

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Then l realized the truth and glancing
up, saw Victor Struthers standin before
me.
My first sensation was of relief His
eyes, peering into mine, were lit by the
Old softness; around his mouth was the
old smile; and, though his words We're
bitter, his handsome face was only kind.
Could he be mad! Or had recovery
come to him, spite of the physician 5
hopeless decree.
| laughed a nervous laugh, as I an
swered, 'How conla you so startle me,
Victor. What strange way to pay me
visit. Surely you could not doubt your
welcomed"
II have not received it" he replied,
though have walked one hundred miles
that you might give it to me. I take 10
welcome but the old one, Elsie
And he stopped as if to kiss me. but
drew back, shuddering.
What. no greeting!" he exclaimed
and slowly there crept into his eyes a look
had never seen there befOre-a look of
cunning and Of morta! dread.
He glanced round the room.
hoNO W cAt1i 81 1cllS--N lltSO ~ lILtll
you alone. We are going on q journey
tonight, you and I, Elsie. But you will
not lear it if you are with me- even if
Death be the boatman to row us across.
Listen, Elsie. l am tired OF life But
one thing only has made me cling to it
SO long, and that is, the gates of heaven
would not open to receive me unles you
were by my side; so / have come for you.
In that moment [ knew the truth
knew that this man by my side, quiet as
he was, was indeed mad, ready at any
moment to throw off even This mask OF
sanity, and seize HE in his powerful
srasp.
Once more l glanced around my pretty
room.
My husbands eye looked into mine
from his portrait on the wall, as if to say,
For my sake, darling, keep calm. al!
rests with you. Do not let me return to
find desolate home. with your blood
staining its threshold"
Victor" l said, suddenly, 'before we
90 on this journey, tell me of yourself
of all you have been doing
"Of myself? What is there to tell" he
questioned, with rising passlonin his voice
"Of wha. l have been doing l shall indeed
tell you, Working for this hour, shaving
for it, enduring for it, with but one an.b
ton IN the wretched struggle they Ca.
llte-tO meet you face TO face, TO look in
to 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 on which your
hand has placed it, All it is little
hand, white and fair clasping il within
his own-'even to lift so monstlrous
weight; yet you placed it vel, not miss
ing single nerve slender, pretty fingers,
but o so cruel. Elsie, have you no re-
morse2"
Victor, you are the cruel ono; you do |
ne an injustice unworthy Of yourself"
"Ay. injustice What do you know OF |
the word You, who sit here in your
beautiful home. and let the world 90 by |
and uncared for, what memory |
lad you for the man YOU had doomed, |
whose strug. les, whose agonies you could |
watch as the cat playing with the mouse |
saw him kiss you las; night, the man |
you call your husband, forgetting my /
t-ht ~ Aiie tttAt Api < sim III AlAS So III |
Of Heaven, that YOU are NV wife. You |
rested in his arms, you laid your head |
upon his shoulder. looking 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 wanted you alone in the world to |
which We are gong. Elsie, darling. YOU |
do not fear me.' his voice suddenly sink
ing from trenzied anger 10 its old tender |
ness.
At any moment he might draw the !
weapon from his pocket al
any moment plunge the dagger into my |
heart. A scream. a struggle, would but |
make sure my fate. What was to be done |
Victor" | said, with cunning match |
nr his own. "let Us not die, but live In |
Heath all is uncertainty; in life w have
ZACH other and love
He glanced with keen suspicion into
ny face.
And YOU love me-" he questioned
How dare you, then, give your kisses TO
hat other-the kisses which belonged TO
ae2 Listen, We have no time TO spare.
Already they are on my track. Tonight
saw them, but their ewes failed to find
ne. Nor do find it such a difficult task.
ct. if once they seize me, they will bear
ne back to the place from which | fled;
,ut not alive--O. not alive. See, Elsie"
hrcwing back his coat. and disclosing
he long, narrow cleaning blade he had
oncealed there. First your heart, then
nine. You grow pale; you tremble. 1t
will soon be over. A moments pang;
ternal happiness"
His arms are thrown tight around me.
l am powerless even to struggle in his |
ron clasp. His words fall kissing, one /
" one. on the still air. Darkness is /
gathering around me--;he darkness OF !
despair.
The little clock upon the Uanscl chimes !
eleven, and l rememb Der. with a thrill of I
horror, it is the last time | shall ever hear /
1 strike. when outside sounds q cherry !
and 3 step l recognize as my !
husbands upon the pavement.
Its firm. manly tread is unnistakable. |
can fancy his glancing up at the lighted |
windows shining forth their welcome for /
,im. Another momen: his latch-key |
will DE in the door.
~Vic,or." exclaimed, Il hear them /
,oming He, the spy, is on your track.
Conceal yourself where you were before
A. -1v,