The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1880-11-25
only bring you unbappiness. 1t is my
sad fate. Forget me and farewell.
"Yours, with love and regret,


"DRUsInIA STERLING"
1t was hardly the kind of letter to send
q man the worlds width from his hearts
desire No possible combination of
words could have been more certain to
bring him to her side. No pleading, no
tenderness, could have been more potent
than this deeply-desponden dismissal.
What would he not venture for her af-
fectlon Other men might love her
they must love her if they but entered
her presence-but as for Drusilla her.
self, she should be 80 sheltered by his
devotion, SO hedged about by his atten-
tions and tenderness that she could love
no one else.
He would not visit her to. morrow nor
for many days. He would wait until
her mood had changed and she was sub
dued by desire to see him. He had
some power over her that he knew. But
his own Will was weakest. He must see
her. He must hold her in his arms. if
only for O moment. It was evening.
two weeks from his last visit. That very
afternoon Roy Sebert had returned from
fishing excursion, and at o'clock he
found Drusilla alone in the brilliantly
lighted parlor. Never had he
seen her so we'll dressed, she
was careless about her attire in general.
she had put on her one rich dress,
myrtle green silk, bought, 7 think, to
match her emerald ring and necklace.
Drusilla had persuaded herself that Max
we'll would visit her that evening. Oh,
could she but have known on what O.
fatal errand, she would never have let
Roy lift her hand to examine the quaint
device on her ring. Before she could
prevent It, Roy had pressed her hand to
his lips. She snatched it 'angrily away,
and at that instant the words flashed
through her brain, "God help him who
comes between us"
At DrusilIa's command Roy Instantly
left the room. He had been gone but
moment when she heard the report of O
pistol, and, fearing she knew not what,
she rushed into the hall only to find her
worst fears confirmed. Roy Sebert Y
there upon the floor in last agony, the
blood issuing from @ wound in his
heart.
Swift as Drusilla had been Lucrece
was there before her. She was down
upon her knees trying to stanch the
blood. Her face was distorted with hor-
ror and grief. She was still as death
until she found her efforts vain, and.
when her lover fell q ifeless burden
from her arms, such q shrek echoed
through the house as could never be for
gotten by those who heard it. Father
and mother knew in that instant that
their beloved only daughter was hope
less maniac. Glaring wildly around,
hor glance fell upon Drusilla, and, re-
gardng her cousin as the murderer of
her lover, she sprang toward her with
h.
strength of Mr.. Sterling and his farm
hand to loosen her hold Of Drusilla's
throat! O whatanight of horror was that!
Drusilla lying between life and death,
Lucrece raving of her lover, and accus.
ing Drusilla as his murderer.
Only one person knew the truth of
the affair that was John Miller. the
hired man. He had been to the village.
and, on his return, he saw Maxwell St.
Ives standing by the gate, looking
toward the house. The man glanced up
to find what attracted his attention, and
there, plain as day, saw Roy Sebert kiss
Drusillas hand. The next instant Max
well went rapidly up the walk, entered
the house without announcement, and.
almost Immediately afterward, retraced
his steps, mounted his horse, and rode
rapidly away.
All this was elected the following day
at the Coroner's inquest, and the fact
that Maxwell st. Ives was missing was
all that was needed to confirm the YER
dict, and free Drls1IIa nom any sus-
plclon OF direct completely in the muir
der. Yet when, after weeks of illness,
she came back to reason and life, she
felt that she could no longer remain
under her uncle's roof
must live by myself" she said,
sadly 81 bring sorrow and death into
every household enter"
So it was planned that n cottage
should be bought, and Jeanette should
be sent for as companion and servant.
I was visiting q friend in the country
who told me the story. She said to me,
one afternoon when we were out driving,
" Would you like to call on Drusilla
Sterling? there is the cottage.
1t was q beautiful place. There were
English roses trained about the low
porch. A woman in French cap met us
at the door and conducted us into the
room where her mistress sat reading. A
stately woman, wearing n black dress
and small black cap, that, with its cor
onet outline marked by tiny pearls,
looked like small royal crown. The
eyes were clear and dark, but infinitely
sad. Of late years Jeanette had read
to her mistress until Drusilla's over.
taxed eyes had, by rest and carefulness,
become as bright as in youth. Her
mouth was large, but curved and sweet.
She was so grateful to us for coming;
she admitted that her life was lonely at
times.
When my friend said, ct have told
Miss Brookner your story, and she gives
you her love and sympathy" she reached
her right hand out to me. I can never
forget the clasp of those soft. caressillr