The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-04-30


upon Miss Vernon, who stood next to me,
with a shrek that curdled the blood in our
veins she bounded forward, and before one
could think, much less act, her right hand,
which had hung by her side, buried in the
folds of her dress, was lifted, and then we
saw a cleaning knife descending toward
Clara Vernon's heart
flung myself before her in time to re-
ceive the blow in my side. The gentlemen
.prang forward and disarmed the furious
maniac, who fought so hard that four of
them could scarcely hold her And just
then the New Year chimes peaIed out from
the nhghboring churche'
They carried me out to the library, stopped
the blood and bound up the wound as well
as possible. TO the credit of the ladies be it
said, not one of them tainted,
why did you try to kill me?' asked Miss
Vernon of the mad woman, who had grow n
quie,er.
Il thought you were she, the woman with
the ed gold hair; the woman he loved But
her eyes were black. If could kill her he
would love me again
We knew she must have escaped from the
not far distant insane asylum, and some of
the gentlemen volunteered to take her there.
She went. They met men looking for
her shortlp after leaving the castle, aud glad
ly gave her into their care.
was almost exhausted from loss Of blood.
| hardly know how they carried me home.
The excitement, the cold and the wound
proved too much for me, AID the next morn
ing fonnd me delerous.
1t was month before | could leave my
room, but had the best OF care. Once |
lay apparently unconscious, and hot tears
fell on my face When it was safe to do 50
| opered my eyes, and saw Miss Vernon pa
out of the door.
When did get up the guests had de-
parted-alI but Miss Vernon. Dick had
gone up to the city for day or two to look
after our mutual business interests. But
was Il first class hero with those that re-
mained-I never knew why. ANY man
would have done what | did if he had stood
in my place, no one could have done less.
Miss Vernon would thank me for saving
her life, though begged her not to do so.
1t was the middle of February, and was
to go home. Dick had cone down to ac.
company me. 1t was my last night with
Clara. Mr.. and Mrs. Ansie, understanding
the situation, kindly vacated the parlor.
Dick had gone to see his betrothed, Alice
Logan.
| do not know when first discovered that
| was hopelessly In love, but such was the
fact. When we were alone Miss Vernon be-
came more icy than had ever known her
BY the way she said, Il had a letter from
Lucille Davenport last week. Am | to con-
gratulate you?'
For what, pray? asked. B.cau.e had
such lucky escape in regard to her?
'E,cape?' she repeated wonderingly. Are
you not engaged?
well, no, have not that honor, | an
Swered. Did she say sU?' ! continued, sud
denly understanding the colduess which had
so batiled me.
why she certainly said something that
led me to think So, she returned with an
embarrassed blush.
May | see the letter, or that portion o
it, | mean
After an instant's hesitation she rose and
went after it. | went to my room and pro
=. duced letter received from friend RalpL
Durant few days before Lucille Dayen
ports letter said
i hear that Earl Douglass is visiting a
your cousins. Don't get your heart en-
tangled have small claim there.
r Three years ago, Miss Vernon | said .
offered my heart and hand to Miss Daven
port. | thought | loved her; she had ie
y me on until could not do otherwise tina
A make the offer believing that she loved mt
/ She declined the alliance with thanks, how
e ever, and lave since found out that it wa
u wounded vanity instead Of IL broken heal
o that sent me to Europe
D.. Ralph Durants letter said: 4 am to b
t married on the l4th to Lucille Davenport.
The l+tb, -sid Miss Vernon. Why lha
d was the day before yesterday
" 'Nes,' | replied, and placed the w,ddin
> cards in her hands
>, looked at the fair downcsst face, whic
was slowly flushing beneath my gaze, and
lei 9Th became bold and told her my stor
i She listened quietly, and when, with all Il
passion OF my great love in my voice, | ask
y her for word OF hope, she turned and la
her hand IN mine. could scarcely real
that TINS precious Jewel, this rare, pure W
~ man hearI, was mIne' and mine only.
~ DICK and were sitting in his sanctum
"a Wy " wv"
oesuh 10 reau'
'FOr a woman, VIII. is a thorny flower,
IN It break, and we bleed AZ d start,