The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-06-18
All that woman can know" sobbed

| Pearl.
Nothing" returned the other. al.
most violently. Nothing of the agony
the bitter reimbursement, the utter hone.
!essness that have burned into a woman
neart before now, and may again. But. y
she SAID, with sudden movement and q
cold smile, 81 must leave the sentiment
to you and Luke, who are better Judges
than |. I will try what can do Will
father tonight. "
You are a true friend, Parthenope, -
said Talbot, warmly.
Friend" she echoed. in a strange
tone, wait until the event proves my
friendship"
And she hurried away, leaving the
lovers to derive what comfort they might
from her promise of assistance
In the vague hope that he might find
Sir Thomas more favorably disposed
toward him, Talbot repaired to the bar
onet's room that night at 8 o'clock. As
he paused before the door to summon
his composure for what was likely to
prove an eventful interview, strange
sound, proceeding from the room, star
tied him. 1t was that of a low deep
groan, followed by heavy fall. AS he
turned the door knob there was NUT
terlng OF voices and the tread of hasty
footsteps within. On entering the apart
ment terrible scene met his gaze. The
baronet lay upon the floor with the
blood flowing from a deep wound in the
forehead. His open eyes and clenched
teeth told that it had been almost in
stantly mortal. Near him on the carpet
was short bar of iron stained with the
old mans blood. 1t had evidently been
used to pry up the window, which opened
upon low balcony, from whence the
perpetrators of the awful deed had
probably entered the room and killed Sir
Thomas sleeping in his armchair.
AS Talbot stood bewildered and uncer-
tain how to act he was startled by low
cry behind him. Turning quickly he be-
held Parthenope gazing at her father
with wide and Mortified eyes.
" He is dead" said Luke, hoarsely.
fThey have killed him with one blow,
and escaped by the balcony into the
garden. Quick, ring the bell, and
arouse the house"
She turned toward the bell-rope as if
to comply; then paused and looked at
HIM with sudden mad CLEAN in her
eye.
"Luke," she said in a whisper, drop
ping the bell-handle and coming close to
him; "you were heard to threaten nv
father to-day. You will be accused of
this"
"You cannot believe me guilty"
gasped Talbot.
"No," she answered, in the same low
voice, " but others will. Do what tell
you Close the window. Now take up
that bar of IRON"
Without understanding her, without
even consenting to her command, he
obeyed her mechanically, as if he were
magnetlzed by her fierce energy. When
he had done as she directed, she sud
denly sprang toward him, and Selling
hmm by the arm, uttered a shrill scream
for help. In an instant the room was
filled with affrighted servants, and with
them came Pearl, nearly fainting.
"Take him." she cried. 81 accuse
him of my fathers murder! See, he has
the weapon still in his hand"
There was a rush, and twenty rough
hands seized him. He struggled vio-
lently to free himself.
" What do you mean?" he exclaimed,
III horror. Parthenope, you know
that / am innocent. Why should you
seek to fasten this awful crime upon
me ?"
81 accuse you of my fathers murder, :"
she repeated with a CHASTITY face.
Pearl" cried the unfortunate man
"Pearl, for Gods sake look at me |!
You too don't believe me guilty"
But Pearl averted her eyes and shrank
back from him in alright.
You quarreled with my father to-
day" she moaned. "Oh, Luke Luke |!
how had you the heart to do it?''
He ceased his resistance Instantly.
"Take me away" he said eff she
believes me guilty, who will have faith
in me Pearl, you have broken my
heart. Parthenope, my blood be on
your head, and may heaven forgive you p
With Il sorrowful look at the sisters
the younger bowed to the earth with
terror, the elder erect and facing him
with an expression of mingled triumph
and agoDy-he was led away.
The unhappy young man soon had
reason to believe in his own prophecy.
The bar had been found in his hand.
The motive for the deed was established
to the satisfaction of the most cbaritablv
disposed. The whole melancholy story
of his love was made public, together
with his quarrel with the baronet on the
day of the murder. Parthenope, whose
Ilnaccountable malice had fastened the
most damning proofs upon him, testified
to having heard him threaten to murder
her father, and her evidence was sup
ported Oy others.
The case was plain. His own council
was so fully convinced Of his clients
guilt that he barely made show of de-
Tense. Talbot had little doubt of the
issue of the trial, and cared still less. If
Pearl had loved him she would have be-
heved III him, and he should have had
the courage to make manly struggle
for his life. As it was, death seemed the
happiest mode of ending his wretched-
ness, even if it must come upon the scat
fold.
One night, as he sat moodily IN his
cell indulging In the gloomiest rehec-
tons, the grated door was flung open
and mufHed female figure entered. He
stared up with a bounding heart; he
hoped it might be Pearl, come at last to
testify her faith in him. The woman
flung back her wrappmgs, and Parthe-
nope, pale as some shadOwy visitant of
that dreary place, stood before him. He
drew back from her with a gesture of
disgust.
care you here" he said, sternly, "to
mock me with the fate your own malice
no.