The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-11-03

uSao- ouc CUulo nOt speak. Tie saw his mistake and was quick to repair it.
 Forgive me. do not know which is the more horrible, the one verdict or the other. Will you let me ask you, as your frlend. to wear that ring for my sake? am sure it will never bring you any bad luck!,
 Gradually society began to talk among the clubs and eiques. There was some attraction between the songstress and the millionaire. He accompanied her to the theatre, he drove with her ana the mar quis in the park. Therese's friends smiled among themselves, and whispered their suspicious 10 her, but she said, quietly:
 " Monsieur Mery is almost old enough to be my father. He was my mothers friend"
 And when, accidentally or not Mad emoiselle Therese's name was menti oned to Mery in connection with his own, he made almost the same reply. But one day he called to see Therese. and found her alone. She was quiet and a little dfsfyaik He asked her to sing, and for the first time she refused.
 Not today" she said. .I am no, myself at all. l-I don't think am quite well.
 Perhaps said Mey, you would like to be alone
 'Oh, no, no: not alone. Please stay. Here. read me something
 Ah here was resemblance 10 her mother. How many hours had he passed at Clare's feet, she with idle little fingers curled in her lap. her dark eyes half closed. listening 10 tte measured ca denees as they fell from the lips of her lover
 Now, as of old. he took the volume and placing himself at the girls feet. be- gan to read. But his thoughts were else where. Sometimes a line or a word would bring back his wandering mind. but gradually his voice grew lower and a=d 6na lls, | -csassd. He looked up at Therese. She was sitting quite her hands clasped in her lap. her blue eyes fixed on his face. She did not smile as he looked up, nor yet did she appear annoyed.
 "Well:" she murmured through her lips.
 He was close enough to her to bend down and kiss her idle hands. He did so. Stil. she did not move.
 Therese.' he said quietly. "I love you will you be my wife :"
 And yet there was silence on her part but he did not care to have her speak she had slid both her hands into his. and he held them there. returning with all fervor her warm, meaning clasp. My hnle han F. all k. life one Of gentle sunshine" he said, as he left her some hours later.
 On the evening before the day of the betrothal took place. for it was 10 be an affair of much ceremony, Therese sat alone with her lover. and when there had been few minutes silence she began:
 Before tomorrow. Jacques, would say few words 10 you, on very solemn subject"
 You mean your mo,her:'' asked Mery, trembling in spite of himself
 Yes. You know all the sad history of her 5eath, will not repeat it. It was a mystery, II has ever remained So. .As her child. could no, believe harm of her, She was good and pure, that know. There were some. who, al the time of her death. were cruel enough to suggest that Il was no strangers hand tha, shot her. But ,ha, was false. false. She had no lovers. She did not love my father. that know bu, she was true 10 him would stake my life on that
 She paused. overcome by her own ve- hemence. Then she continued:
 But. Jacques, that deed mus, have been done for purpose. a robbery per haps. She had valuable jewels. and there was handkerchief found on the floor beside her. The murderers..''
 Mery did not look up.
 "A flne cambric handkerchief. such as no rurfian would use. Now what l mean to tell you is this-and want you . 10 pause before you answer or make comment When saw my dear mother lying there. cold and dead. vowed to avenge her. should the time ever come. when could behold the villain
 She paused, and passed her hand over her forehead.
 :" But my VOW seems useless one. had no clue: even the police gave up the case as one quite without an item 10 begin with. But even now am not quite hope less; trust, as only can to luck. am, suppose, tanciful, bu, have thought all these years that to visit the scene of the murder, on the anniversary, would aid me. It seems to me that the murderer will be impelled to go there, teo. and that some time shall meet him. Just before met you had an adventure that for a moment gave me hope. saw man Tn the rain. watching the house, i and so intent was that slipped and fell. l hurt my ankle so that l was blind with pam, when the man spoke to me. and sen, me home in his carriage. He seem ed so much of a gentleman that a, first l ! oanished the thought tha, he should be my mothers murderer. bu, now-,he more think of +. the more the convio- ion grows upon me tha, he was the man Now. Jacques, l have sworn that should the deed tear my heats,rings asunder. I would ee avenged upon this person. Will ,ou help me:
 Help you, Therese?' he groaned.
 Yes This man must be somewhere |