Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-07-02

barred by the trees that ran to the edge
INTERVIEWED bIeast-high with bramble and
brushwood, and which served to mark the
bounds of his domain. Here, perforce, he
turned and retraced his steps. What was
the black shadow recumbent on the edge
of the fall, on the very spot on which be
had stood ten minutes before? He drew
nearer to it with silent steps, something
too hideous to be called hope growing in
his heart as he advanced. The figure
moved and he saw the moonlight full upon
it's face. It was Roderic Vane. With a
shout that rang high above the tumult OF
the fall, he rushed down the bank. Vane
was on his feet and met the shock.
"Langton Good God, what are you
doing?"
He held his arms about his victim. and
resolutely thrust him back, foot by foot,
until they stood upon the edge. With all
the tenacity of despair the supple young.
ster chung about him, holding on with
hands and teeth in a last hard struggle for
dear life but Langton loosed his grip, and
drove him with cruel blow over the brink.
One sitting, gurgling cry, and his body
struck the water The murderer knelt
upon the turf. and looked down into the
foam. Was it fancy, or did he indeed see
the white face looking up at him through
the surges What matter? The appeal
was voiceless, and could be heard by no
man save himself.
The horror of the place was so strong
upon him that he ran like hunted hare
across the park, straight for the stairs.
Jio d,~acc moo TORY, end diSnrJara1 opd hic
cheek was bleeding. He must not be seen
so. He hastily changed his dress, stanched
the slight scratch, and then, pale but calm,
descended to the drawing. room.
The guests were grouped in the center OF
the room, evidently under the influence of
some strong emotion of surprise or wonder.
As he entered, his sister broke through
them and came towards him, her necklace
in her hand.
"Stephen, look! My emerald !! What
does it mean?"
He looked and saw, colorless as his own
haggard face, the jewel centerpiece. 1t
was no fable, then, this old wife's story.
The curse was come upon him. He fell
back with outstretched hands, as if to
ward off some palpable horror that threat.
ened him.
The dreamer sprang to his feet, his eyes
dazzled by the flood of light that inun-
dated the room in which he sat, and glared
out upon the scene before him-park and
garden and river and sky flooded by the
rosy morning light. A clear voice rang up
from below:
Laurore sallume,
Lombre epaisse fuit,
La ct la bruno
Won't GU va la mutt
Paupieres ct roses
Souvrent dem closes,
Du reveil des chooses
On entend lie bruit.
He ran to the window, and looked eager
ly down into the garden. His sister
looked up at him, and waved him good
morning salute with the dew-drencned
flowers she held in her hand. The illusion
of the dream was so strong upon him STILL
that he half believed the vision had been
a waking reality and his present state a
dream. He slipped gently into his sisters
room, and searched among her jewels with
trembling fingers, until he came upon the
emerald. It was unchanged, as steadfast
in its glorious hue as his heart should be
henceforth to the accomplishment of the
task he had set himself.
Dear Sir William On certain occasion, which
would rather not specify, you told that if 1t
should ever be in your power to render me
vice, you trusted l would afford you the oppor
tunity. Permit me to request Of you favor
which know you will the more readily grant, mas
much as it will give you the chance Of killing two
birds with one stone, by doing two kindnesses in
one.
There is employed in your department young
gentleman of the name OF vane, in whom take a
great interest. His present salary, hear is e300
year. He is meditating the conlmittal of that blum
der which you and have so happily avoided but
mamma is impacable. Can you do anything for
him? He is smart Young fellow, well up to the
duties Of any post that of his age is likely to
be intrusted with. Permit me to solicit your good
Offices on his behalf, and believe yours, most
faithfully, STEPHEN LANGToN.
-[Tinsley's Magazine.