The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-11-12

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, think, to
match her emerald ring and necklace,
Drusilla had persuaded herself that Max
well would visit her that evening. Oh,
could she but have known on what a
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 Drusilla's command Roy instantly
left the room. He had been gone but q
moment when she heard the report OF q
pistol, and, fearing she knew not what,
she rushed into the hall only to find her
worst fears confirmed. Roy Sebert lay
there upon the floor in a last agony, the
blood issuing from wound in his
heart.
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 lifeless burden
from her arms. such 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. CLEARING wildly around,
her glance fell upon Drusilla, and, re-
garding her COUSIN as the murderer OF
her lover. she sprang toward her with
s strensth Of Mr. Sterling and In his farm
| hand to loosen her hold of Drusilla's
throat! o what anight of horror was thatl
Drusilla lying between life and death,
Lucrece raving'O her lover, and accus'
ing Drlsilla as his murderer. olH
Only one person knew the truth 4of
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, apo
there, plain as day, saw Roy Sebert kiss
Drusilla's.hand. The next instant Max
7 we'll went rapidly up the walk, entered
/ the house without aDnouncements ind
almost immediately afterward, !. retraoed
his steps, mounted his horse, and rode
rapidly away. 80 - &c.. ,.,r
All this was elected the following day
at the Coroner's inquest, and the fac
! 'tliat Maxwell st. Ives was missing wa.
all that was needed to confirm the YER
dict, and. free, Drusilla from any sus
picion of direct completely in the muir
der. Yet when, after weeks of Illness
she came back to reason and life, sh'
felt that she could no longer remain
under her uncle's roof. sosv .s
81 must live by myself" she said
sadly " bring sorrow and death int
every household enter.
SO it was planned that cottag,
should be bought, and Jeanette SHOULD
be sent for as companion and servant.
l was visiting friend in the countr,
who told me the story. She said to me
one afternoon when we were out driving
Would you like to call on Drusill,
Sterling? there is the cottage.
1t was beautiful place. There were
English roses trained about the low
porch. A woman III French cap met III
at the door and conducted us into the
room where her mistress sat reading. 4
stately woman, wearing o black dres:
and a 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 reac
to her mistress until Drusilla's over
taxed eyes had, by rest and carefulness
become as bright as in youth. Hel
mouth was large, but curved and sweet
She was so grateful to us for coming
she admitted that her life was lonely a
times.
When my friend said, 81 have tolc
Miss Brookner your story, and she gives
you her love and sympathy, she reached
her right hand out TO me. L can never
forget the clasp of those soft, caressinl
fingers. By-and-by she was led to tall
of the past and of Maxwell ST. Ives.
nan answering TO the advertised descrip
ton of him had died of yellow fever IL
New Orleans one year after that sum
| rner-nioht traOe1v ..'.i '