St. Landry democrat., 1879-08-02

thought of hearing the truth from the
dying mans lips.
On entering the Priory, I expected to
be taken up stairs to the upper floor,
where | knew were the bedrooms but
instead, my conductor, crossing the
spacious hall, opened the library door,
and ushered me into Sir Leicester's
presence, where 1 stood surprised, mo-
tic Mess, contemplating the "dying"
man.
Dressed as was his wont, looking as
usual, pale and sad, and careworn, the
baronet sat writing at the table, as
unlike a dying man as any had ever
seen.
On hearing my name: he arose, and,
with a grateful expression, advancing,
took my hand. He was tall, well
made man, gentlemanly in the extreme,
and l now saw was not only good looking
but remarkably handsome-while the
dark eyes, piercing at distance, /
found were sad, soft, and gentle ss q
woman's.
"It is very good OF you to come thus
speedily, Mr.. Hartop," he remarked. "I
thank you much"
"My time is ever at the service of my
parishioners, Sir Leicester" I said, tax
ing the seat he himself placed for me.
81 all glad, however, to find that your
need is not SO grave as was led by your
steward to believe.
He regarded me, as he laid back in his
chair opposite, with q faint, transient
smile.
"It is quite as grave, I can assure
you |" he answered. Morrison did not
exsggerate. I am dying, as he stated.
In less than two hours l shall have
ceased to live"
81 started in amazement, while my
wife's assertion seemed to gain confrma-
tion. To me, Sir Leicester had seldom
looked better.
"It is scarcely to clergyman should
make the confession am about to-" he
proceeded. "But the name you bear,
for all that is good and charitable, tells
me I may trust to your secrecy. I am
dying, Mr.. Hartop, because I am pois
soned, the poison being self-administered.
Yes, you behold one who has just taken
his own life"
"Sir Leicester " I cried: leaping up,
"what are you saying? You are either
mocking me and my calling, or, if true,
medical aid must be instantly obtained"
As I moved towards the door, he
caught my arm gently bue firmly, and
forced me back into my chair, while
with an earnestness almost painful he
exclaimed, cit IS no mockeay! 1t is
true, and the most skillfH doctor could
find no antidote for the Eastern drug I
have swallowed, which two hours after it
is taken generally produces a painless
death. If you, Mr.. Hartop, feel any
compassion for me, don't let these two
hours be lost. I have trusted in you.
l beg you will not disappoint me, for
you see before you the most wretched
man on earth"
"I can not comprehend" began,
confusedly.
"Listen to my story, and you WILL"
he said.
"He is mad, surely" I reflected,
locking into his face, There is no trace
OF death there. will humor him."
Perceiving me quiet, he proceeded.
'Mr. Hartop, I have great favor to
ask of you, but before that my narrative
must be told, and briefly, for quarter of
an hour is already gone. Left an orphan
at an early age, I was brought up under
a maternal uncles's guardianship, and
with his only daughter, Gertrude, my
cousin. To describe her is impossible.
Did I do so actually, you would attrib"
ute my words to lovers exaggeration,
therefore, Judge yourself" Taking
miniature from his bosom, he handed it to
me. Itrepresented young girl of scarcely
eighteen, and with one of the sweet
est, loveliest countenances I had ever
beheld. Even the eyes of the picture
seemed to thrill the observers very soul.
" "Seeing her." proceeded Sir Leicester,
"you will not wonder when 1 say I loved
Gertrude better than life. She-capable
of the purest and truest affection-re-
turned my passion; and I being then
the presumptive heir, my uncle fostered
my suit. Gertrude and I were conse.
quently looking forward for the confilm-
alton of our happiness when my grand.
father died, and it was found that, owing
to personal animosity to my uncle, an
other grandson had been put in my place.
cat the same period, Lord Worth,
elderly, but immensely rich, paid mark
ed attention to Gertrude. Secure in
the knowledge of our mutual love, no
fear assailed us, until one day, to our
horror, my uncle informed us that was
comparatively a beggar, our engagement
must be broken, and that Gertrude must
accept the addresses of Lord Worth. r
shall not describe our agony, our useless
supplications. I was banished from the
heuse-my cousin was kept a prisoner in
her room. Yet by her maids assistance
we managed to meet, when we decided
To alma