The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-05-27

more gently, pray God when your turn
comes the lesson may not be as bitter as
mine
The girl dropped his hand and avcitcd
| her face in silence. One rarely secs so
| wide contrast between the children of
| the same parents as there was between
the two daughters of Sir Thomas Ulmer
Pearl, the younger,was small and fragile
of figure, with large, timid, violet eyes
and pale gold hair. A sweet thing,
born to live all her life a clinging child,
and to be the meek shadow of those she
loved. Parthcnope, tie elder on the
other band, was of grand proportions,
graceful as a deer, with hair and eyes of
Moorish backness. Her very move
ments were expressive of mental strength |
and decision. In the old time she might |
have been chosen jy an Emperor to be
his royal mate. As she stood beside |
Talbot now, howevcrthcrc was n strange |
air of submission in her attitude.
''lIelpus, Parthenope, said the younger
sister, r,cinging about her neck. ''You
can influence our father where I should
only anger him. Speak for us,my sister.
We love each other So
| iHt Cl'NI slSttr lOOkCu uOWn III Hcf Ill
silence. There was pink spot in each
cheek and hard expression about her
pale lips.
"What do you know of love?" she said
in smothercd voice.
"All that woman can know" sobbed
Pearl
Nothing" returned the other almost
violently. "Nothing of the agony,the
bitter establishment, the utter hopeless
ness that have burned into woman's
heart before now,and may again. But"
she said with sudden movement and
cold smile, 81 must leave the sentiment
to you and Luke, who are better Judges
than |. will try what can do with
father tonight"
"You are a true friend, Parhenope,"
said Talbot warmly
"Friend," she echoed in a strange tone,
wait until the event proves my friend
ship"
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 to-
ward him, Talbot repaired to the Bar
onet's room that night at o'clock. As
lie paused before the door to summon his
composure for what was likely to prove
an eventful interview, a strange sound,
proceeding from the room startled him
It was that of Il low deep groan, followed
by heavy fall. AS he turned the door
knob there was muttering of voices and
the tread of hasty footsteps within. On
entering the apartment terrible scene
met his gaze. The Baronet lay upon the
floor with the blood flowing from a deep
Fwound in the forehead His open eyes
and clenched teeth told that it had been
= almost instantly mortal. Near him on
the carpet was short bar of iron stain
ed with the old mans blood 1t had
- evidently been used pry up the window
which opened upon low balcony, from
whence the perpetrators of the awful
deed had probably entered the room and
killed Sir Thomas sleeping in his arm
z chair.
sh AS Talbot stood bewildcred and
ct tain how to act he was star tled by a low
IT. cry behind him. Turning quickly he be
IN held Parthcnope gazing at her father will
G. wide and honifed eyes.
~ "IIe is dead" said Luke, loarsely
~ They have killed him with one blow
w. ~, and escaped by the balcony into tn
to- 'c- garden. Quick,ring the bell and arous
~ the house"
v" She turned toward the bell rope as
y, to comply: then paused and looked at hin
~ with sadden mad gleam in her eye.
rv Luke" she said,in a whisper, ,droppin
the bell handle and coming close to hin
lso ''you were heard TO threaten my fathC
= " today. You will be accused of this"
dis "You cannot believe me guilty" gaspe
MS Talbot.
lis NO." she answered, in the same lo'
,in voice, shut others will. DO what | te
,ur you. Close the window eoltlyso. No
take up the bar Of iron"
Is Without understanding her, withol
ion even consenting to her command, |
my obeycd her mechanically, as if he wei
magnetizcd by her fierce energy. Whe
Sir he had done as she directed she sudden
ion sprang toward him and seizng him |
lily the arm uttered shrll scream for hel
ne. In an instant the room was filled vii
got atfrighted servants, and with them can
yes Pearl, nearly fanting.
Take him y she cried. II accuse HI
it," of my fathers murder See he has Il
eve weapon still in his hand"
my There was rush and twenty roug
hands seized him. lie struggled violent
npt to free himself.
"What do you mean?' he exclaimed,
lly. horror ''Parthenope, you know that
igh am innocent Why should you seek
nto fasten this awful crime upon me-"
YOU II accuse you of my fathers murde
'ou. she repeated with, ghastly face.
pro Peal, cried the unfortunate man
rom "Pearl,f for Gods sake, look at me! IC
at | too,do not believe me guilty?"
you But Pearl averted her eyes and shra
iect back from him in alright.
our "You quarroled withmy father to-da
she moaned, "Oh, Luke! Luke! how h
You the heart to do it!'
he lie ceased his resistance instantly,
you Take me away" he said. 'If she
old lieves me guilty, who will have faith
me? Pearl, you have broken my hes
sas- Parthenope, my blood be on your he
Sir and may heaven forgive your
. we With sorrowful look at the sister,
,ase. the younger bowed to the earth with I
pre- ror, the elder erect and facing him W
AIRY, an expression of mingled triumph &
eur agony-he was led away.
win The unhappy young man soon had !
son to believe in bis own prophecy, !
IL q bar had been found in his hand. ]
ared motive for the deed was established
him the satisfaction OF the most charta
he disposed. The whole melancholy st
nisk- of his love was made public, toget
idor, with his quarrel with the Baronet on
, un- day of the murder Parthenope, VIII
ness unaccountable malice had fastened
most damning proofs upon him, testi
met to having heard him threaten to nun
him her father, and her evidence was s
oked ported by others.