The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-10-08
SOMERSET. PA, WEDNESDAY. OCT. s. 1879.


mother in slow tone of profound
amszsment, the next instant adding
impetuously, "You look ike q beau
tiful spirit from Hades y
/ shrugged my shoulders with
another harsh laugh
"Come I" I said imperiousIy.
Come, will chow you my Hades p
She started at me wonderingly.
and half shruuk as my icy little hand
ciasped hers.
Softly, Madame p l Whispered, as
we left the room.
Directly she was standing at the
slightly open door. at which / had SO
often stood.
felt her nails sink deep in the
palm of my hand as her blazing eyes
rested on the scene beyond. / heard
her breath come in angry gusts.
For full minute she stood thus
Then, dropping my hand, she flung
back the door and swept into the
utmiy hS utcu fOom
The pair sitting so lovingly before
the fire started to their feet, Peri
with sharp cry Of anguish. AL
bert's FIRST words were given to her !:
"Be brave nv loye,p be smiled
down upon ber in accents of melting
tenderness.
Bet his lips were white and his
eyes glowing.
What means all this ?n demanded
Madame Viele, in awfully hushed
tones, gazing from one to the other
With an anger before which even my
fierce spirit quailed.
"It means this, my mother" repli-
ed Albert, unfslteringly, as he paced
forward and circled more closely the
slender form of the pallid girl beside
him. at means that for three
months Peri has been my lovely wife.
wife J" gasped my stepmother,
staggering back as if she had receiv-
ed blow. And then she screamed,
pleadingly Not your wife, Albert ?"
'Yes mother, my wife," he return
ed sadly and firmly, while great
tears roliei over Peri's white face.
1--WE grieved to do it secretly, moth
er, butt
My stepmother lifted her hand.
She bad quite recovered herself now.
"Silence - she commanded in
those swfnlly hushed tones. "Ask
no forgivness? Ask no blessing
Peri, go! Leave this house now and
forever. G1 or stay, as you will !;
but know that from this hour | new
er speak to you again. From this
hour know your blessing my bitterest
curse."
"Mothern-
'Silence." again commanded my
stepmother, 10 fearfnlly concentrated
tones. go! Not a word Put that
creature forth at once !" pointing her
white finger at Peri's bowed head.
"Say you forgive, mother" pleaded
Albert. Say
"Silence!" almost thundered Mad
anne yiele, her face ghastly as the
dead.
He turned away then
Come. my darling, we will 60"
be murmured with Infinite tenderness
to Peri.
And catching up cloak and hood
she had cast there only few hours
before, be wrapped her tenderly in
them and led her to the door.
There they paused and look back
at Madame Viele.
Farewell, mother they said, soft
ly, "and Heaven forgive US and
you J"
Madame gazed stunily at them
without word or gesture, and they
sighed and turned away.
Directly the hall door changed
heavily after them. As it did so my
stepmother turned calmly to me:
Il am sorry for you, vi" she said
briefly, in stern, even tones "Let
us go to bed.n
And with firm step and form
erect she led me to my room There
she kissed me good night, saying
calmly as she closed the door:
"From this moment they are dead
to Us. Never mention their names
again !"
"It is al over now. | had reaped
my vengeance"
at is well!" said. az my head
touched the pillow.
The days came aud went. Ny
was erect, cold and i'm
perious as ever. Not by word, look
or tone did she betray her secret suf-
iering. But at the end of year she
had lost every vestage of youth and
health. A pale. gaunt old woman,
she sat in her chair now.
One morning she called me to her
side II was on my nineteenth birth
day.
wi, she said, curtly, tits all Dead
Sea fruit
l gazed at her, dimly comprehend
ing her meaning. Then she said:
They have little daughter, Vi.
and they have named her after me-
Ray Lalor, vi. Shall we have them
back, Viz"
She looked at me wistfully.
There was brief strife between the
good and the evil, and then | re-
piled:
at is Dead Sea fruit, mamma
We will nave them back / can
Iook upon Albert as my brother
now"
Thank Heayen.r exclaimed Mad
anne Viele.
And three days later Albert Peri
and the little Ray were established
1t Gray Fell.
The Rite Of the skunk.