Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-23

dreamed of, and by its aid agents have
been working for me in the old land,
leading me to the discovery Of Clarice, who
was brought 20 the isle two days since. and
is now with her sister Margaret and her
child. Evangeline IN the house built for
them in the Valley Of Lilies. There is no
more TO tell.
"And no time to tell it, said Mauvain.
his voice growing fainter and fainter.
Harold, when you see Clarice say that I
am dead, and ask her to think kindly of
me if she can. And for my ehild-what
can have to say to her? she owes me
nothing that I would wish her to repay.
She is beautiful, you tell me, Harold-so
was Clarce, the faireat and most beautiful
Hunchback, you have Won the game
Evangeline will hold you in kinder re-
nembrance than she viii the man who
betrayed that is the word, is it not her
mother. There is strange haze
over the sky. Harold, give me
your hand
1T is in yours, Msuvain, > said Harold,
lowering his head so that he might catch
Mauvain's last words.
"Inoticed that your left arm was hurt,
Harold-does it pain your
mot much, Mauvain
! You were right when you said that our
life on the isle was likely to be attended
with excitement and amusement.
This blood chokes me. 1 really be-
lieve, if Clarice were here, that should
ask her to kiss me. should like to see
Evangeline, too-what trick you played
me 1t is growing dark, is it
not? Do you know, Harold,
that there is nota beng on earth cling to as
1 cling to you-for love you-in my way
Nothing very desirable, but it is so. When +
you left me yesterday morning, felt as if !
the best part of my life had gone from me.
Harold, who is it. standing be- (.
fore me, looking downwagds to the val.
ley?"
at is Rant.
"He stands between me and the light. I
Go to his side, and tell me if you can see
the house which contains Clarice and
Margaret and lny-my daughter, Evange-
line. Go-quickly! ?
Harold obeyed him, and moved TO RANTS
side. He was gone for but moment
and when he set his face towards the spot |
upon which his friend had been lying, !
MauvaiD had disappeared
Z" Rant p cried Harold.
The hunchback turned, and OWNED
what had occurred He leant over the
eastern edge of the peak, and saw the life
less body of Mauvain falling IRON rock to
rock Stewards.
I" Farewell, Mauyain,9 he murmured
g SO ends the comedy of your life"
Harold shuddered as he gazed upon the
snow, stained with Mauvain's life-blood.
God have mercy upon him." he said,
" and upon me /
Fascinated by the stains of blood and by
the events of the night, he stood for many
minutes in silence, until Rant gently touched
his arm.
f' Come, said Rant.
" Where? " asked Harold
"To my hut Did you not say that had
robbed you of the sweetest comfort that
was ever offered to the heart of an unhappy
MANI"
:" All, true. Margaret Sylvester. Yet
I cannot go to her to vindicate myself, for
I have duty here to perform which must |
be done tonight, at all hazards"
(" What duty"
' Do you think that shall allow Mau-
vain's body to lie unburied on the beach |
below 1t would weigh as a sin upon my |
soul through all my days"
How do you propose TO reach the
beach ?"
&c 1 shall ind a way"
g Certain death is yours, if yon attempt
it.
That viii not deter me, said Harold,
scornfully. 81 know what is right for
man to do.
"only one man on the isle can show you
the way to its accomplishment.
That man is yourself. I am prepared |
for your answer"
g You are right that man is myself |
sculptor Harold, from whose grave did you
obtain those flowers in your breast, Of
which you are so tenderg'
From the grave of Bertha's child. I |
went last night to your house in the valley, |
on the chance of finding you there, and |
compelling you to do me justice in Mar
garet Sylvester's eyes. l did not enter,
but waited until heard a human sound.
saw Bertha, and spoke with her. She |
told me you were here. Before left her
asked her for these flowers, as a kind of |
comfort to nae on my way. She gave them
to me, willingly. Nay, more she gave
me her hand, aud held it in mine. You
see, RAM, was not entirely forsaken. T"
81 have done you great wrong. VIII
You take my hand z
Willingly. The wrong you did was
unintentional. From this moment We are
friends"
1T is said, and sealed. The two men
gasped each other firmly by the hand. q
viii help you to your wish. ! know way |
down the mountain, and viii show you
cave of wonders, cave paved with golden
sand, by means of which | have been
enabled to restored Clarice to her sisters |
arms"
Nothing will surprise me, Rant. am
curious to know why you choose to remain |
here, alone, instead of being present at the
meeting of the sisters"
,, . / should have been but clog on their
happiness. 1t would have been as if !