The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-01-07

! ReaVey, can Ln6 16IGSf5 WHICH DInO ue
to this terrible man be broken? Give
! me some hope, or l will no longer live in
this agonizing suspenseP she cried,
and l was frightened at the expression
Of her face as she stood before me, with
| her small hands clasped in an agony of
supplication, and her beautiful eyes
glancing hastily around her every min
ute, as if dreading the approach of hel
tormentcr.
Twas at loss for words to answer her
appeal,
! She wanted 10 be freed from the hus-
band who was cruel to her, and she evil
IDENTIFY believed that l had but to write
out couple Of sheets of foelseap, and
pronounce her the divorced wife of
| Charles Herbert. How was I to un-
| deceive her?ss How was I to tell her
what a work of time and trouble it
would be to obtain a legal bill of di-
vorce? told her would exert every
means in my power to aid her, and I
| resolved to watch the movements of
Herbert closely, while t he lady prom
ised to communicate with me sheUld he
attempt any further violence.
left that house liRe one in dream,
my heart filed 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-recurring 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 1 thought of the life to
which beautiful Elenore Herbert
seemed hopelessly doomed, fer 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.
Noticed, 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 I saw her wandering alone
through the fragrant aisles of a con.
servatOry, having stolen from the bril-
Iiantly-lighted parlOrs and from the
midst of the gay throng in whose So
ciety her husband fingered.
Watching a favorable opportunity, I
Joined her unObserved, and had the
satisfaction Of seeing a 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 could do for her, for she threw out
her tiny hand with 6 gesture supreme in
its agony, and 1 could see the quick
shudder that ran through her frame.
What is it? Has he repeated his
cruelty? | asked, huskily; for some
how the indignant blood seemed to rise !
in my throat and choke me, and [ felt |
like strangling the wretch whose cum
ming baff1ed me.
She did not speak again, but looking
into her pale face, I could see her lips |
forming the word " Hush +" and looking |
up quickly, I saw Herbert sauntering /
toward us through the avenue of ferns |
with that disagreeable smile on his lips, |
and that strange, glittering light in his
black eyes.
My dear Nellie, I have been search
ing for you; how imprudent of you to
stay out in this chilly place without
your wraps. All, Mr.. Reavey, I shall
question your gallantry; see how my
little wife shivers. Come, darling, I
5hink we had best return home.
He spoke lightly, and with his arm
around his wife's waist; but could not
Danish the impression that he had been
playing the SOY; and to confirm the i'm
,ression, L caught the gIeam of abso-
ute terror that Elenore Herbert threw
Jack at me SIS he led her away.
:" That man is mad; there is danger
n his eyes tonight" I thought, and
mpelled by some irresistible impulse,
ound myself hurrying in the direction
f her residence half an hour later.
Vas it fate or providence that guided
ny wandering steps7 1 do not know;
was all 30 strange and unreal; the
vents that followed seem to me even J
ow, looking back into the dim vista of
ears, more like the incidents narrated
q some sensational novel than an oc-
in real life. had just turned
ntO the block on which the Herbert's
esided, when a wild, thrilling cry dis
urbed the silence of the summer night,
cry that came from the lips of a
7oman, and from the direction of the
ouse in which EIenor Herbert passed
er miserable life.
"Father in Heaven, save herw I
ried, and no such fervent and heartfelt
rayer had crossed my lips since I
melt at mothers knee. I cannot re-
1ember how I sprang up the steps;
adie, the maid who had brought Mrs.
Ierbert's note to my Office, was in the
allway, wringing her hands and Civ
lg vent to the wild screams that had
ttracted my attention to the spot. |
id not wait for her explanation, but
arted up the stairs and toward the |
oor of the white and gold bOudOjr from
Yhence came the sound of maniacal
,ughter and low groans of pain. AL
lost mad with terror / forced my way
etween a group of frightened and use
,ss servants, and threw myself wildly
gainst the door. 1t yielded, and If I
i've for hundred years l shall never
,rgeS the sight presented to my view
Beautiful Elen0r Herbert Law prone
pom the floor, her white silk evening
ress dyed crimson with blood. and her
zee rigid and pallid as that OF a corpse.
Ter mad husband stood over her with a
knife in his hand, chuck
ng gleefulIy. At sight Of me he burst
ito a terrible peal of laughter, and be-
re a hand could be put forth to stay
i'm, plunged the knife in his own
cart.
/" Ha-hat' he cried. "see how nobly
have foiled you'll You would have
olen her from me-take her now-she
yours"
He fell to the floor dead, with the