The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-11-05


and the high-backed armchair hid her.
She heard him rummaging about behind
the books On the shelves, and then she
saw his arm extended to the light,
holding up two glass walls. So near was
she that she distinctly read the labels,
one of which was "Laudanum." This
he thrust into his breast-pocket and
selling his hat, turned to leave the
room. But at the door he paused,
went back to the table, and scratching
a few hurried lines on sheet of paper,
left it lying open and went out.
Hetty, almost as pale as her lover,
instantly sprang up, and Selling the
paper glanced over it, murmuring
brokenly as she read
| "DEAR MOTHER: Can no longer bear
agony-seek relief-home tell Johnny-take
good care of you-go before you meet you
| in"
Hetty was trembling all over; but
now a great light, as if sudden re-
solve, dawned upon her pale face, and
without pause she rushed from the
room, crossed the lawn, and with light,
swift steps followed the retreating
figure down the road. She overlook
him ust as he turned the clump of
cedars near the stables. Was it there
that he designed to commit the terrible
deed?
Lloyd turned on hearing her breath
lessly call his name. He looked good
deal surprised at seeing her-no longer
pale, but flushed and with disordered
curls hanging about her forehead.
ooh, Lloyd, don't do it For my
sake, don't!"
"Hetty, what ais you? Don't do
what p
"You know; you didn't see me, but
was in the room when you took the
the poison-the laudanum. Oh, Lloyd,
don't kill yourself-don'tW
He looked at her steadily, with a
curious working of his countenance.
"Why should I not You would
not care" he said, gloomily.
"Indeed, indeed l should p she
sobbed. sob, Lloyd, I could not bear
it; it would kill mel'
Her pleading, fearful eyes were up
turned to his. He looked down into
her face for moment, then took both
her hands IN his.
"Hetty, you are going to be another
mans wife,
"Never, Loyd-neverl was wrong
forgive mel"
"You don't mean to say, Hetty"-
his face lighting all over as with flush
of new life-syou don't mean to say
that you do really love me?"
IL al
Lloyd. | wouldn't have told you but
for this-but for that horrible poison.
Give it to me, Lloyd, that I may feel
you are safe"
He answered by taking her in his
arms. There was no one near to see
them. And then he gave the deadly
vial into her hands, and she flung it as
far as she could into the neighboring
pond.
Life is worth living for now, Hetty,"
he said, as with her arm in. his, and her
hand clasped in his own, they walked
toward her home. But you will
never know what pain I have suffered"
Most people said that Hettv had done
right in choosing Lloyd Sutton, after
all; and Mr.. Frisbee Indignantly went
back the city and consoled himself by
selecting as his wife some other young
and pretty woman. His marriage took
place about the same time with Hetty's
Some three years after this, Mr.. Lloyd
Sutton, comfortable and happy looking
pater familias, said to his pretty wife:
+" believe that any man can keep a
secret from his wife; but no woman can
keep one from her husband"
Don't you, indeed, dear? Now, I
think just the contrary"
| He laughed knowingly.
Perhaps / can convince you. I've
had secret from you, Hetty, ever since
we were married"
" Indeed Won't you tell it to me,
Lloyd? '
"Why, yes, as I don't see any reason
in keeping it longer to myself. /
wouldn't tell you at first, for fear you
should feel mortified in knowing 1t.
Do you remember when you pleaded
with me so earnestly not to take my
life? Well, the truth is, hadn't the
least idea of swallowing that laudanum.
[ merely intended to use it as remedy
for the pain 1 was suffering from ter
rible toothache."
EYES," said Mrs Lloyd Sutton, de-
murely, but with an arch glance of her
black eyes, {" / knew that all the while,
dear. You see, I read the note you left
on the table, telling your mother that
the pain was such that you could not
wait till o-morrow to take her to town
must go at once, to see dentist, and
that Johnny would bring her, and you
would meet her there. Then knew
what the laudanum was for"
Mr.. Lloyd Sutton opened his eyes
very wide, and gave low whistle.
"You see, love-" resumed his wife,
stealing her arm around his neck, i
had no other way of letting you know
how loved you and regretted my folly.
It saved us both from being very miser-
able. But with the same arch
look" don't you think now that a
woman can keep a secret from her hus-
band as well as can husband from his
wife 2"
And Lloyd Sutton, kissing his wife,
had the manliness to acknowledge him.
self convinced.
| = - ~, aIaa