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

1lcn realized Tue tTutn anu StaNCluS
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 were
bitter, his handsome face was only kind.
Could he be made Or had recovery
come to him, spite of the PHYSICIANS
hopeless decree?
laughed nervous laugh, as I an
swered, "How conla you so startle me,
Victorl 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. take no
welcome but the old one, Elsie.''
And he stopped as if to kiss me, but I
drew back, shuddcring.
what! no greeting?" he exclaimed;
and slowly there crept into his eyes look
had never seen there before-a look of
cunning and of mortal dread.
He glanced round the room.
II have waited so Iong--waited to find
you alone. We are going on q journey
tonight, you and I, Elsie. But you will
not fear it if you are with me. even if
Death be the boatman to row us across.
Listen, Elsie. I 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 I 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 me in his powerful
srasp.
Once more 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. All
rests with you. Do not let me return to
find desolate home. with your blood
staining its Threshold"
Victor" I said, suddenly, "before we
90 on this journey, tell me of yourself
of all you have been doing"
"Of myself? What is there to teil?' he
questioned, with rising passlonin his voice.
"Of wha. have been doing shall indeed
tell you! Working for this hour, Shaving
for it, enduring for it, with but one ambi-
ton IN the wretched struggle they ca.
life-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 it within
his own--''even to lift so monstrrous
weight; yet you placed it well, not miss
ing single nerve slender, pretty fingers,
but 0 so cruel! Elsie, have you no re-
morse2"
"Victor, you are the cruel one you do
me an injustice unworthy of yourselfw
"Ay. injustice! What do you know of
the wOrd2 You, who sit here in your
beautiful home. and let the world go by
unheeded and uncared for, what memory
had you for the man you had doomed,
whose strugs, les, whose agonies you could
watch as the cat playing with the mouse!
saw him kiss you last night, the man
you call your husband, forgetting my
right to the titie-forgetting, in the sight
of Heaven, that you are my 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 mel' his voice suddenly sink
ing from frenzied anger to its old tender
ness.
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 donel
"Victor," 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 mel" he questioned.
allow dare you, then, give your kisses to
that other-the kisses which belonged to
met Listen. We have no time to spare.
Already they are on my track. Tonight
saw them, but their ewes failed to find
me. Nor do I find it such difficult task.
Yet, if once they seize me, they will bear
me back to the place from which | fled;
but not alive--O, not alive! See, Elsie."
throwing back his coat and disclosing
the long, narrow cleaning blade he had
concealed there. First your heart, then
mine! You grow pale; you tremble. 1t
will soon be over. A moments pang;
eternal happiness"
His arms are thrown tight around me.
am powerless even to struggle in his
iron clasp. His words fall kissing, one
bv one. on the still air. Darkness is
gathering around me--the darkness OF
despair.
The little clock upon the mantel chimes
eleven, and remember. with q thrill of
horror, it is the last tune shall ever hear
1t strike, when outside sounds cherry
whistle, and . step recognize as my
husbands upon the pavement.
Its firm, manly tread is unmistakable.
l can fancy his glancing up at the lighted
windows shining forth their welcome for
him. Another momen: his latch-key
will be in the door.
~victor." I exclaimed, Il hear them
coming. he, the spy, is q your 6ack.
Conceal yourself where you wsse bsfore-