The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-07-17
poison being self-administered. Yes, you
behold one who has just taken his own

"what are you saying? You are either
hooking me and my calling, or, II true,
medical aid must be instantly Obtained
;, As moved towards the door, he caught
my arm gently but firmly, and forced me
back into my chair, while with an earn
cstness almost painful he exclaimed, ut
is no mockery! 1t is true, and the most
skiIlful could find no antidote for the
Eastern drug have swallowcu, which two
hours after it is taken generally produces
a painless death. If you, Mr.. Han rop
feel any compassion tor me, don't lc.
these two hours be lost. have trusted
in you. l beg you will not disappoint
ME, for you see before you the most
wretched man on calth."
Il can not comprehend" I began,
confusedly.
Listen to my story, and you WILL" he
said.
"Hc Is mad, surcly" reflected, look
ing into his face, ''Thcrc is no trace Of
death there. will humor him.
Pcrcciving 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 a quarter OF
IN hour is ready gone. Left an orphan
at an early age, vas brought up under a
maternal uncle's guardianship, and with
his only daughter, Gertrude, my cousin
To describe her is impossible. Did do
so actually, you would attribute my words
| to a lovers exaSggcration, therefore, judge
yourself Taking a miniature from Ills
bosom, he handed it to me. 1t represented
a young girl Of scarcely eighteen, and
one Of the Sweetest, loveliest coun-
tcnances I had ever bchcld. Even the
eyes Of the picture seemed to thrill the
observers very soul.
"Scc1ng her" proceeded Sir Leicester,
you will not wonder when say l loved
Gertrude better than life. She capable
Of the purcst and trucst affccuon-re-
turned my passion; and being then the
prcsumptive heir, my uncle tostered my
suit. Gertrude and we're consequently
looking forward for the confirmation OF
our happiness when my grandfather died
and it was found that, owing to personal
luminosity to my uncle, another grandson
had been put in my place.
Sat the same period, a Lord Worth
elderly, but immensely rich, paid mar ed
attention to Gertrude. Secure in the
knowledge Of our mutual love, no tr;,,
assailed us, until one day, to our horror
my uncle informed lis that was com.
parativcly bcgyar, our engagement
must he broken, and that Gertrude must
accept the addresses Of Lord Worth.
shall not describe our agony, our useless
supplications. was banishtd from tho
housc-my cousin was kept a prisoner in
her room. Yet by her maids assistance
VIC managed to meet, ~hcn we decided
to elopc.
"Ah, why did not mistrust that WON
an? Why did not the fatality which at
tended all my plans put me on my guard
l thought Of noting but the joy OF soon
calling Gertrude mine.
'sThc night arrived. Gertrude, accom-
panied by her servant, met me, and i. thu
postchaise had provided we started tol
Tie cottage Of the maids mother, where
the former assured us there would DC
clergyman waiting to unite us.
"On our meeting III the dwelling. sit
uated in {, lonely part Of the country, w
found no minister there. The nl:,it
assured us the falling rain might have
prevented him, but that certainly he
would be here before n,olning. We wait
cd. The night went by spent 1t OUT
side the cottage. would not pass it eve,
beneath the same roof that covered m,
poor Gertrude. My anxiety was all to1
her; and at daydawn,I would have started
tor another clergyman, when the maid
cntrcatlng me to forgive her, stated tina
in the confusion she must have made ;
mistake in the date, for the clergyman
reply came the 9th, not the Sth. Sll,
showed me the letter and believed her
We yet waited, the night came, and st
did the clergyman.
"Wc had already taken our places be
fore him when the door was burst ope1
and my uncle, Lord Worth and tire,
serving men rushed IN. Instantly I wa
borne from Gertrude, firmly held by tn,
servants, and moe cd by my uncle, while
Lord Worth grinning and grlmacing tool
my place opposite my beloved as he
bridegroom. In vain the poor girl rcsis
ted; her father threatened her with public
exposure. He confessed that the cottag
was one of ill reputc, and that her stay a
it in my company had ruined her nam
Fl revcr were the circumstances known
adding that she would not find anothc
with love like Lord Worth's.
Il saw all then; we had been cruel,
trapped. With shrek, Gertrude faint
ed, and verify believe that she was no
conscious during the ceremony which
took place. Yes; l saw her welded t.
another! saw her grayheaded HUSBAND
take kcr in his arms and carry her to tn
carriage waiting. At that moment, how
ever, breaking away, she flung herself O,
my breast, that beat wildly against hers
while my lips passionately pressed he
check. I could not embrace her, for M.
arms were pinioned.
"When they dragged her away, fount
she had left i'll my bosom this tiny buncl
Of forget-me nots preserved here" ant
Sir Leicester held up crystal vial. s
entreat that it may be buried with me ;:
/ bent my head, and he went on:
''When she was out Of my sight, bliss
full oblivion ensued. a year after by til,
unexpected death Of my cousin, became
Sir Leicester Connington, and the owne
' OF wealth; but no riches could b ing M,
happiness, fer had learned Gertrud,
was an unhappy and ill used wife, be
cause she could not bestow that love sht
had not to give, it being Nine Her uncl,
had sold her and broken her heart. W,
had one consolation--th knowledge tina
each was faithful to the other, and though
here parted, in the world to come ",
should be reunited.
"This morning." proceeded Sir Lei
ccstcr, II received intelligence of he
death, upon which having arranged III,
affairs, | instantly prepared to follow her
She waits me, in few moments We shall
be together!"
! l made movement, but he checked
me.
''Help Is uselcss!" he said land have
one favor yet to ask. Next Thursda,
Gertrude will be buried, you will SCI
written on that paper. have made ar
| re hat J..