Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-06-15

aUl 10 D0 bu0 uo0h SuduOW Ol buOSS Suo
loved. Parthenope, the elder, on the
other hand, was of grand proportions,
graceful as deer, with hair and eyes of
Moorish blackness. Her very move
ments were expressive of mental strength
and decision. In the old time she might
have been chosen by an emperor to be
his royal mate. AS she stood beside
Talbot now, however, there was a
strange air of submission in her atti-
tude.
"Help us, Parthenope, said the
younger sister, clinging about her neck.
"You can influence our father where I
should anger him. Speak for us, my Sis
ter. We love each other so.
The elder sister looked down at her in
silence. There was pink spot in each
cheek, and hard expression about her
pale lips.
"What do you know of love?" she
said, in a smothered voice.
Cali that woman can know" sobbed
Pearl.
Nothing" returned the other, al
most violently. "Nothing of the agony,
the bitter self -abasement, the utter hope
lessness that have burned into woman's
heart before now, and may again. But, :"
she said, with sudden movement and a
cold smile, 81 must leave the sentiment
to you and Luke, who are better judges
than 1. [ will try what I can do with
father tonight"
"You are true friend, Parthenope, !"
said Talbot, warmly.
"Friend," she echoed, in 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 9 o'clock. AS
he paused before the door to summon
his composure for what was likely to
prove an eventful interview, a strange
sound, proceeding from the room, star
tied him. 1t was that of low deep
groan, followed by heavy fall. AS he
turned the door knob there was a NUT
tering of voices and the tread of hasty
footsteps within. On entering the apart
ment a 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 a 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.
"They 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 whisper, drop
ping the bell-handle and coming close to
him; "you were heard to threaten my
father to-day. You will be accused of
this :"
"You cannot believe me guilty, :"
gasped Talbot.
"No," she answered, in the same low
voice, 4" but others will. Do what tell
you Close the window. Now take up
that bar of ron.'
Without understanding her, without
even conserving to her command, he
obeyed her mechanically, as if he were
nagnetized by her fierce energy. When
he had done as she directed, she sud-
denly sprang toward him, and Selling
him by the arm, uttered shrill scream
for help. In an instant the room was
filed 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 rush, and twenty rough
hands seized him. He struggled vio-
lently to free himself.
what do you mean ?" he exclaimed,
In honor. g Parthenope, you know
that [ am innocent. Why should you
seek to fasten this awful crime upon
me ?" aatl8
81 accuse you of my fathers murder, %
olAO 1OPO''oO0A Will a. S1thol1J 1taCe. .'. F
"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. ooh, 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, andmay heaven forgive you !''
With a 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 agony-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