The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-08-20

the Drl9nC, warm VISION VanlSneQ ana the
scene was changed.
In beautifully appointed and luxuri-
Gus room lady was reading-the same
lovely, bancful woman who had danced
with my brother. She was dressed in
cool, loose muslin, and the lazy languor
of her attitude and expression were be-
witching as she half-reclined on low
sofa and listlessly turned over the leaves
Of her book. The full outline of her fig
ure and the dainty, clean poise of her
shapely head were apparent.
The door opened to admit man, my
brother Charley; but, oh, so wonderfully
changed-so pale and haggard and care
worn. He strobe across the room and
flung himself on his knees before the wo
man on the sofa. who looked up with an
impatient, displeased expression.
20, my darling my queen" he cried,
and his voice sounded hoarse and broken;
you will not cast mo off; you will not
give me up. You are all to me-this
world and the next-and you cannot be
so cruel .,. -.....
Her face gave token of no love or pity,
only Of eaui and Indifference as she re-
piled coldly: ,. w.
II thought I told you that our connec-
ton must end, Mr.. Gordon; that I mis-
took my feelings, or rather that / had no
particular feeling for you except tnat Of
liking. You were not content with that,
and anything else bores me. Good day.
He rose with a groan and clenched hands
on his brow as if he were striving to stihe
or crush down unbearable agony.
care you in earnest?" he Grind. 'tHaye
you led me on and tempted me, ruined
my soul and body for this? Have been
nothing more to you than an idle hours
toy? Then, surely, they are right who say
that midas must have been woman in
disguise. But stay; even if you trample
on me cannot revile or curse you. God
help me; love you too madly for that. I
forgot myself; I am mad"
She had raised herself with frown dur
ing the words, and now interrupted HIM
haughtily:
II should think so, Mr.: Gordon.:'
"And I, too," put in another voice, and
| saw Temple appear at the door with a
lcok of triumph in his evil eyes.
Charley turned and saw that look.
With hoarse cry of ''Devil'' he sprang
at HIM, and in second had him by the
throat and
Again the clammy hand touched me
and again the scene changed.
An East India steamer had just landed
at Southampton. AS the passengers left
it-some to be greeted by half laughing,
half fearful friends, some to start forth in
quest of the places and people that knew
them of yore-I noticed two come down
the gangway together-a lady and gen
tleman.
They were Temple and the woman
who had betrayed my brother.
It was no surprise to me to see them,
nor shortly after to notice stealthy muf-
fled form emerge from the Storage of the.
ship and follow them. I knew it was
Charley before I got a glimpse of his face.
The lady and gentleman entered first
class carriage for London, and my 9,roth-,
er standing in the shadow close by, saw,
us l did, that Temple tipped the guard
halt sovereign to insure that no one
else should come into their compartment.
Then, just as the last bell rang he took
bis seat in the next empty carriage and
the train started. .Qs
Time passed on and I saw nothing.
more until they came within about forty
miles of London. Then I saw Charley
issue from the door of the carriage and
crawl along the ledge till he reached
theirs. He raised himself and peered in.
Both we're sound asleep at the far end of
the compartment, the woman's blonde
head resting on Temples shoulder.
Charley took railway key from his pock-
ct and softly tried the door. =
1t opened and he entered with a mad
glare and hoarse chuckle From his
pocket he drew forth two pistols and
with the greatest deliberation cooked
them, pointed one at each of the sleepers
and fired.
The cold clammy hand touched me.
but 1 shook it off with cry and in a
moment found myself struggling on the
floor with a sensation as though were
being strangled with one hand while
another grasped at my heart 20,
Charleyr' managed to gasp, and by a
violent effort opened my eyes.
What! There was woman bending
over me, golden-haired, but oh, how I'M,
utterably tender and womanly was her
face, not hard and cruel like the other.
And beside her stood man, brown and
bearded, looking down on me out of ewes
that were surely my brother Charley's.
|'What's wrong, Alan, dear bow"
some one said, and as one half in a.
dream yet, knew that had been in a
dream before, and I sobbed in my weak
ness, hardly knowing what I said,
"Charley, save me-"
1 felt his strong arms around me. 1
heard his voice and another voice, very
sweet and gentle. mingle in an indistin-
guishable murmur; but above that sound
l heard the chimes pealing across the
dark city: and 1 felt in my heart that it
was already the day on which Christ
was born.
Then for a time I heard or felt no
more. When recovered consciousness
it was Christmas morning, and a bright,
cheerful, sunlit morning at that; but
how much enjoyed that day despite
my weakness and prostration can never
tell.
soon learned Charley's story. He
had, shortly after his arrival in India,
met and fallen in love with Helen Ash
ley, who returned his love. much to the
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