Daily Republican., 1881-04-15

we are almost out Oh tlt WOOuS Wncl
| turn with start, for the gypsy ha'
crept after me unseen, and her bony
hand holds my arm in tight grasp
Beware beware!' she whispers
quickly in my car with horrd smile
Jealousy, and pain and hatred, have
driven people to crime before to-day.
Dou't hurt the pretty lady, or the man
who loves her 50 dearly p
Then her huttering red cloak disap-
| pcared among the trees and she was
gone. The others were far ahead, and
was standing looking from right to
left in my terror, alone in the darken-
ing, ruStIing woods
II IL winter, now, and we are all back
in our city homes. Three mouths before
Frank Lawrence was suddenly called
to Europe by the death of relative
whose property he would inherit.
knew he loved Sydney; but he had
no opportunity Of telling her so before
he started, as he was in distant city
when the news came, and the state Of
his affairs in England required imme-
diate attention.
And few short weeks after, Sydney
with whom only brightness and
happiness, and joyous, young life coul
be ssociatcd-Sydnry, our dearest one
was taken violently i'll, A prolonged
attack of typhus teayer ensued, and on
the little, white, lace Curtainrd bed, i'll
the opposite corner from where | sit on
this winter night, she is lying; her am
bcr-tintcd hair scattered on the pillows
tangled and roughened, by the constant
movement of her restless head: her gray
eyes tcverishly y bright, and blazingspOtS
burning on her cheeks.
90 to the bedside and knreing Ownl
lay my cool face against the hot, flush
ed one on the pillow, my tears fall on
the golden hair, and sob bitterly.
"Sydnry, Sydney, dear little sister, " |
murrnur brokcnly; for with all my
jealous, rcvengetnl thoughts, | care for
her very much Still. first in my heart
Lawrence holds his own, ruling place
above all others think it is only given
to natures like mine whose heart admits
of hut one king in Il whole lifetime, to
love so intensely.
While ! knrIt thus beside my sister, !,
bed, II low knock sounded on the door !;
opened it. \ servant stood outside
with letter in her hand.
Miss MERTON" she said in whiS-
per, "tbis came for Miss Sydney just
now, so bringit to you.
took it and cl.sed the door softly.
As held it 10 the light my heart beat
turiouSly, and the warm blood rushed
over my face.
It was Lawrence's writing what
could he have to say to Sydney but the
one thing?
My evil angel was with me that night
tempting, tempting me to sin
''Open the letter and see for your
self" the wicked one whispered. "lou
can tell Sydney when she Is better that
Won opened it for her, to see If the con
tents were important. She will not
care. Open il, it will do no harm"
And ! did. The first words written
there, convinced me that my fears were
correct. 1t was an impassioned avoWal
OF love, pleading for a return.
of you do not answer me, - the let
ter ended, " | shall know there is no
hope. But Sydney, my little one, think
it over carefully before You decide, for
the happiness or misery OF my life de-
pends on your answer.
My head fell on my folded arms
Oh, how hclplessly dark, how cold the
world seemed to Inc. Alone, alone for
ever, now
Sydney is very young" " the tempt
er whispered, "only seventeen. She
will soon forget Lawrence for another
while you will have him all your life.
Destroy the letter, and when no answer
comes to it, he will 90 away for few
years, perhaps then come back when
sydney is married to another, and rest
assured, he will learn 10 love you when
She is forgotten.
tried to hush the sinful promptings,
| tried TO think what was right for mc
to do; whNe that low, urgent voice re-
peated the words necessarily, eivinsme
no peace.
destroy the letter, an& the futuFH Is
bright for you. Sydney believes she
owes Lawrence, and if she reads his
proposal she will marry him Then
what have you to hope fer? Destroy
he lettcr-burn it--you will not rgret
t when Sydney is happy with anoti er."
rose to my feet, my lambs trembling, !
ny teeth chattering, eVery y object IN the
Dom seeming to swim before my half
blinded eyes, and reached my hand to
he one gas jet burning in the rnOYl,
The dry paper caught the flames
luickly, and it blazed up, up, till it
eemcd to my ronvulseG brain tc reach
,l,y
nv hand away, when it was scarcely |
and by some fascination
ny gaze was drawn slowly round to the
,ed behind me.
sydney was hooking ut me q! Lean
ny upright on one hand, her ,lushcd
ace peering out between the ca rtains,
nd her grey eyes fastened on ne with
delirous, questioning look.
| started bark against the we'll, and
tore the remainder Of the
etter into pieces, while those CLASSY
yes stared straight into mine, AS |
TODD there, pale, cold and imB, Jvablc.
hen suddenly, without any warning,
low sweet laugh rippled over the
arched lips. {
"rhe gipsy, Frank" >ehe m1rmured
n her clear voice; 'yOu don't believe
THAT she say-do you: Trcachery, i
cath, passing away - Then she drop
ed on the pillows with sigh, and &
ould only stare at her, NY arms hang
lg nerveless by my side! Were the
'ords the old gypsy had altered by the /
lerest chance, the TRUTH
ooh, Sydney Oh, God forgive me-"
cried out in pain, and with ahtrritied
'ream feft myself falling and lost con-
'iouSneSs. T.
1t is the evening OF another day, when a
.wakc in my own darkened rOots. For d
5noment cannot think of what has y
,Gurred, but gradually memory, like y
accusing flood rushes over me, and | 4
my my face in my hatlds. ! rise to 4
y feet dizzy and weak, aad staggcr el
It into the silent hall. II
SyLney's room in next to rL1ne, and l o.
n sping to tell her how have wrtng- d,
heft Il
There was yet time to answer FRANKS IN
tier and all will be right. % q
NV hand was on the knob of the doG, fo