Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-01-10

that she was visibly embarrassed and at
a loss how to proceed. Her hands moved
restlessly from place to place, and l
could see the color fading out of her
perfect face, and she at last summoned
courage to address me.
Her brother had been my friend, she
told me, and when she mentioned that
brothers name l started, for it was in
deed that of one of my most valued
friends, who had lately died very sud-
denly.
My poor brother begged me, with
almost his last breath, to GO to you, and
ask you to take my case in hand for the
sake of your old frisndship." The
beautiful woman filtered; and It is
needless to say that I answered her she
had but to state her case, and'count on
a willing champion.
She thanked me with a simple grace
that was infinitely charming, and then
told me the story of her life.
She was utterly alone in the world
since her brother died, and tied to a
man whose cruelty was killing her.
Charles Herbert was a strange char
acter, thought peculiar by his friends,
but believed by those who knew him
best to be developing traits of mad.
ness.
In the presence of strangers he was
remarkably kind and devoted to his
beautiful young wife, but in the sanct-
uary of home he was actually brutal
in his cruelty to the unfortunate girl,
as was evident from the livid marks
upon her white arms and shoulders.
81 want to be freed from him-I am
in actual terror of my lifel Oh. Mr..
Reavey, can the fetters which bind me
to this terrible man be broken? Give
me some hope, or l will no longer live in
this agonizing suspense" she cried,
and was frightened at the expression
OF her face as she stood before me, with
her small hands clssped in an agony Of
supplication and her beautiful eyes
glancing hastily around her every min.
ute, rs if dreading the approach of hei
tormentcr.
Twas at loss for words to answer her
appeal.
She wanted to be freed from the hus-
hand who was cruel to her, and she evil
IDENTIFY believed that had but to write
out a couple of sheets of fOOlscap, and
pronounce her the divorced wife of
Charles Herbert. How was l to un-
deceive herr: How was to tell her
what work of time and trouble it
would be to obtain a legal bill of di-
vorce? told her 1 would exert every
means in my power to aid her, and l
resolved to watch the movements of
Herbert closely, while t he lady prom
ised to communicate with me should he
attemp: any further violence.
l left that house liRe one in a dream,
my heart filled with pity for her hope
less condition, and my brain puzzling
itself over innumerable ways and means
of obtaining for her the release she
sought.
True to my first resolve, l sought out
Charles Herbert in his usual haunts
about town, and studied him in secret.
He was a polished gentleman, dark.
faced and handsome; but did not like
the glitter in his dark eyes, or the
treacherous and oft-recnrring smile
that played about his full, sensual
lips.
I met him in society, where he was all
attention to his beautiful young wife,
and apparently devoted as the fondest
lover.
Ishuddered as thought of the life to
which beautiful Elenore Herbert
seemed hopelessly doomed, for with the
cunning Of fend, her husband wore
his mask of smiles, and gave no chance
to the most suspicious observer by
which he might have been condemned.
Inoticed, with an inexplicable feeling
of pain, that my beautiful client was
growing more fragile and worn-looking
every day, and the look of haunting
terror was deepening in her dark blue
eyes.
One night saw her wandering alone
through the fragrant aisles of con
servatOry, having stolen from the bril-.
Manipulated parlors and from the
midst of the gay throng in whose 80.
ciety her husband fingered.
Watching favorable opportunity, ]
Joined her unobserved, and had the
satisfaction of seeing momentary look
of gladness sweep across her beautiful
face at my approach.
She questioned me eagerly as to the
progress l was making; but something
in myface must have told her how lit
tie 1 could do for her, for she threw ou
her tiny hand with gesture supreme il
its agony, and l could see the quicl
shudder that ran through her frame.
"What is it? Has he repeated hi
crueltyf' ! asked, huskily; for some
how the indignant blood seemed to ris'
in my throat and choke me. and fel
like strangling the wretch whose Gun
ming baffled me.
She did not speak again, but looking
into her pale face, could See her lip
forming the word "HushW and lookin,
up quickly, 1 saw Herbert saunterin
toward us through the avenue of fern
with that disagreeable smile on his lips
and that strange, glittering light in hi
black eyes.
"My dear Nellie, I have been search
ing for YOU how imprudent of you {