Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-06-15
garden. Quick, ring the bell, and


ping the bell-handle and coming close t.
him; "you were heard to threaten my
father to-day. You will be accused O
this
"You cannot believe me guilty,
gasped Talbot.
"No," she answered, iu the same low
voice, "but others will. Do what [ tel
you Close the window. Now take NJ
that bar Of iron."
Without understanding her, without
even consenting to her command, hi
obeyed her mechanically, as if he were
magnetized by her fierce energy. Wher
he had done as she directed, she sud.
denly sprang toward him, and Selling
him by the arm, uttered shriu scream
for help. In IN instant the room was
filled with affrighted servants, and with
them came Pearl, nearly fainting.
"Take him!' she cried. CT accuse
him OF my fathers murder! See, he has
the weapon still in his hand"
There was a rush, aud twenty rough
hands seized him. He struggled vic.
lently to free himself.
"What do you mean? ?" he exclaimed,
in horror. Parthenope, you know
that am innocent. Why should you
seek to fasten this awful crime UPON
ME ?"
"Iaccuse you Of my fathers murder ~
she repeated with CHASTITY face.
Pearl, cried the unfortunate man
"Pearl, for Gods sake look at NE
You too don't believe me guilty.
| But Pearl averted her eyes and shrank
back from him in afrioht
"You quarreled with my father to-
day." she moaned. sob, 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, and may heaven forgive you p
With 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
to the satisfaction of the most charitablv
disposed. The whole melancholy story
of his love was made public, together
with his quarrel with the baronet on the
day Of the murder. Parthenope, whose
unaccountable malice had fastened the
most damning proofs upon him, testified
to having heard him threaten to murder
her father, and her evidence was sup
ported oy others.
The case was plain. His own council
was so fully convinced Of his clients
guilt that he barely made show of de-
Tense. Talbot had little doubt of the
ISSUE of the trial, and cared still less. If
Pearl had loved him she would have be-
lieved in him, and he should have had
the courage to make a manly struggle
for his life. AS it was, death seemed the
happiest mode of ending his wretched-
ness, even if it must come upon the scat
fold.
One night, as he sat moodily in his
cell indulging in the gloomiest reAec-
tions, the grated door was flung open
and muff1ed female figure entered. He
stared up with bounding heart; he
hoped it might be Pearl, come at last to
testify her faith in him. The woman
flung back her wrappings, aud Parthe-
nope, pale as some shadowy visitant of
that dreary place, stood before him, He
drew back from her with a gesture of
disgust.
care you here" he said, sternly, "to
mock me with the fate your own malice
has wrought upon me?'
!" am here to save you," she said,
gently.
Il will not take my safety from your
hands, he cried, tiercely. "For some
evil reason Of your own you have plotted
for my life. Take it; will not bargain
with you
"Luke," she moaned, "wretched as
you are, [ an a thousand times more
miserable. Death is all that threatens
you. I would gladly exchange with you
it l might be rid Of the burden of re-
morse and shame that is bearing me to
the earth. You say true. I did plot to
criminate you, knowing you to be inno-
cent. [ aimed to have your life in nv
hands, that might save it and make It
mine. On the evil impulse of the mo-
ment, I put the bar in your hand and
had you accusedof my fathers death, Il
i
know that can save you now"
- But what was your object?" asked
Talbot, in wonder.
Luke! she cried, hinging herself
abjectly at his feet, 81 love you. See
what an awful thing my love must he
when 1 can sacrifice every womanly
sentiment to it. But / do not care. It
is too late to shield myself behind any
false pretense. More than life, or honor,
or pride, l love you, as I loved you
from the day you entered my fathers
house. With some women, Luke, love
is a gentle emotion-all meekness and
Such love is my sister
PEARLS. Other women love like evil
spirits, and their love is deadly TO them
''lves and all around them. 1 am one of
those women, Luke. But do not mis-
take me. I have nourished no vain
hopes since that dreadful night. There
is no longer any hope left me in this
world.'
"Poor girl" said Talbot, gently, elf
his be true, God knows I forgive you.
My own heart is sore enough to urge all
charity for you. ], too, have nothing
worth living for
=" Yes" cried Parthenope, you have
! long life of happiness before you. bless
I'd with Pearls love. Weak as she is.
she has never been untrue to you. [ |
nave poisoned her against you, so she
could not but believe in your guilt. It
shall be part of my penance to restore
Ter to you"
"Then all will beforgiven and forgot
en-, answered Talbot. "Rise, my poor
sister, and be comforted."
"Comforted," she said, raising her
[ear-stained eyes to his, "where shall I |
ind comfort in this world %
He stopped to rise her up, and would
have kissed her, but she drew back with
4 bright spot on her haggard cheek.
"Not now," she whispered; "not till
all wrongs are righted. Luke"
With bowed head and tottering step
she left the cell. Three days later Tai
bot was taken into court and formally
acquitted.
"Young man, said the Judge, with
"your life has been saved at
The expense Of a noble woman's. Go to
her and thank her for the sacrifice as
best you may, for your gratitude and
The worlds applause are as nothing to