St. Landry democrat., 1882-08-12

Like the mailman I was, seized the
table, dragged it to the window, sprane
upon it, and climbed on to the high and
narrow window-sill; throwing up the
sash, prepared to leap out; but I had
reckoned without my host; the cord
that held the weight was broken, con-
sequently the moment my hand left the
sash fhe window descended with start
ling rapiditv, striking me full upon the
head, and knocking me off the narrow
sill, dashing my head against the sharp
corner of the table, and at last landing
me full length on the floor
| tried to rise; something warm
rushed over my face; put up my hand
to clear my eyes-my hand was covered
with blood
l felt giddy and weak, still | stag
gered to my feet; then black mist
arose around me, and I knew no
more.
This was Thursday eve. Sunday
afternoon the sexton, returning to his
duties, found me lying upon the floor
half dead, wholly delirouS, my face
covered with blood, and hole in my
HCtltt llt II ~ IIb tilt lIlC ottU Vi
any man. That mine was spared was
because | had fallen with the wound
down, and the soft pile of the carpet
acted like lint to staunch the blood
AS soon as [ could control my
thoughts begged to know of Nellie.
Poor little girl she had been quite over
whelmed. When | failed to appear
Kate husband rushed out to inquire of
the sexton if he had seen me. He was
positive that had been there, and equally
positive that had left again in company
with his brother-said lie could not
be mistaken-both seemed to be in a
great hurry and had jumped into car
riage and been driven rapidly away.
Messengers were sent to my hotel,
but without gaining clue to my where
abouts; so after a NOR flying wait
Nellie had been taken home, and the
very morning of the day | was dis
covered the whole family sailed for
Europe.
AS soon as I was able to stand, I
sailed in search of the woman l had so
innocently humiliated. Not knowing
her whereabouts it was two months be-
fore | found her. At last. one evening,
wandering on the sea shore of quiet
little English town, espied her-and
alone.
That she believed me a most black
ened villain was plain, for the look she
gave me when she recognized my
presence was one of unutterably con-
tempt. Now that 1 had found her l
was determined she should hear the
truth.
.Nellie," cried, hurrying to her,
and grasping both her little hands
before she had time to escape.
swell, SIR" she replied, haughtily,
trying, but trying in vain to free her
hands.
"My darling,' I pleaded, "you will
at least hear a man before you condemn
him9"
Her face flushed angrily.
"What can you say,' she burst out,
hotly, "that will make your conduct
less dastardly9 Have you not made me
the object of every one rdicule and con-
temptuous pity! Offering me public in.
suit no woman could ever forgive?
Have you not made me hate every
body, myself most of all? What more
do you wish, Bertram Langley-you
villain!'
Iwinced little at the word, as I
thought of my broken head-though
God knows did not blame her, believ-
ing as she did. ..r..-. -st ..
"Why are you here? And why did
you run away?" she demanded, with a
whole world of scorn on the word ''run
away" a: :" b"
81 did not run away; l was locked
up" Pip IL
LOCKED up! For .what9 Where:?''
cried poor Nell, starting back, a look
of horror creeping up into the brown
eyes. VI, 4. ~. .ll.I.3s-@ yf... .4a-a -.
l verify believe that she thought for an
instant [ had added murder to other
crimes. III. ia guit,-- -.s.t -. .a,.a
"Why, in the vestry,' [ explained,
little foolishly. ''Come and sit down
and let me tell you. l am quite i'll
YETI
This was master stroke. Nell seated
herself without demur. and |, half Sit
ting, half lying at her feet, related to
her the chapter Of my misfortunes.
Dear little girl! her face frightened
before /, was half through-indeed, am
sorry to say she laughed quite heartily;
but she became sober when | told her
about the window coming down, and
leaned over and kissed the scar on my
head tenderly, and knew that peace
and confidence were restored.
After awhile we fell to talking it over
in A. general way
~ It was dreadful blow to me" said
Nell, pensively; '.I thought that my
heart was broken ..-.r
II thought it was apretty tough blow
myself I laughed. "By Jove. |