The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-03-08
THE TIMES. NEW BIooMF1ELD, PA. MARCH 8, 1881
"I would I could as readily forget MY

Anu now desire 10 open MS nearV 10
tell her the great and terrible secret Of
his life--took possession of him.
She had spoken of her past life, and
he owed 1t TO her to speak Of his. There
could be no secrets between them--they
loyed each other so much. Before she
accepted his name, he told himself that
she must know the circumstances which
placed black spot upon that name.
Who would be merciful to him If not
Margherita Who 60 naturally as Mar
gherita could wipe away his tears, con-
sole him, and calm him with sweet
words
6 Margherita, 1 have a secret may L
tell 1t to youY" he said.
The man in the balcony crouched
lower down, but, at the same time, more
closely to the window-panes.
"MAY you tell 1t ?" she replied, can
didly. "You know you may"
'Tls secret of my remorse-remorse
which tears my heart in twain"
Remorse ?' cried Margherita, rails
ing her head.
Listen ~ he continued, his voice be-
traying a strange, wild, terrible exalta-
tion.
Margherita, If some one told you
that the man you loved-him to whom
you have given life, whose name you
consent to bear,-if you were told that
he had committed terrible deed-even
crime-what-"
What should 1 think 4? Austin,-
would not believe that person."
Yet, if 1t were true-if in moment
of rage, fury, he had dared mortally to
strike human being"
She turned deadly pale, and shrank
from him.
"And If" he cried, "by fearful fa-
tality, that wound brought death with
it,
BE silent-be silentl" she cried in
stinctively.
No." he walled, " have begun, and
will make an end to it. This secret is
killing me. You must condemn me, or
ahsolve me.
Again she called upon me to be silent
but he could hear no longer; all his
senses were enwrapped in his pleading
voice.
He was now on his feet, his hands be-
fore him, striding up and down the
room, in agony.
Listen" he cried, "and know me.
Calm as usually am, am sometimes
so little master of myself that have no
self-control whatever. 1 had dined, on
that particular night, at Vercy g, in Re
gent Street, and as / was much tor
mented and worried about money affairs,
/ am afraid drank more than was ac-
customed to take. Dinner ended, L
called upon gentleman, with whom
had already quarreled over money mat
ters. l owed him large sum of money.
was unable to meet my engagements,
and wished to inform him of the fact.
1 found him at home, and alone. He re-
ceived me very harshly. 1 explained to
him the serious position in which was
placed, and told him that was fearfully
pushed for cash. prayed him to be
good enough not to issue writ against
me. urged, You will completely ruin
me, and also the little credit which vet
remains to me in the city and by which
live.' He replied that it mattered lit
tie to him whether lived or didn't. L
entreated him, and he remained quitein-
sensible to my prayers. Thereupon,
raised to pitch of evaporation, cried,
You'll find that you will cause a serious
disaster Rather than be humiliated,
pursued by legal processes, will destroy
myselfl"
"' You !" he replied, in O mocking
tone; "YoU kill YOURSELF If you think
fit, here is sharp poniard, quite at your
service. 1 offer it to you as present,
quite certain that you will turn it to no
bad usel ~
"Quite mechanically, L took the
knife, but my blood was by this time
coursing through my head. The wine
had drank mastered me. 1 no longer
supplicated my creditor. / complained
of his rigor, and reproached him for his
harshness. Harshnessl he cried,
therel-here are your precious bills
Take them-I want to have nothing
more to do with you'll But 1 shall have
the right to say over in the city that you
are rogueP A roguel' cried. 1
flung myself upon him, and he struck
me in the face. Thereupon, mad with
rage, 1 struck him in turn, but unfor-
tunately, with the knife he had placed
in my hands. He uttered one cry, and