The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-11-19

i worked now with TWO ends. MY
old one, and that of saving Grace
from becoming the wife of q mon
ster.
| watched the foot as cat
watches a mouse, but discovered
nothing My agony grew greater
and greater. Time moved too fast
for me | could have prayed for
days and months to lengthen those
months out. At last there was but
one day between the present in
which | lived, and that in which my
sister would become Mrs. ZeLzee.
On that morning | awoke with my
plan fully matured.
| said to Grace at breakfast I:
"Since the wedding is so near, in
vite Mr.. Zenzee TO pass the evening
with U.S."
She looked up with a smile.
You are coming to your senses"
she said.
/ made no answer. After awhile
| asked again "Do you love him ?"
and she answered:
told you once why | accepted
him. That is my. reason still. AT
ter all, what is love worth ?" But she
sighed.
My heart had been at ease on that
score before. 1t was lighter now
But how it throbbed with anxiety !
The day were on tediously, and
evening came with a murky rain !;
but with it came Mr.. Zenzee. He
took tea with us, and did his best
to be agreeable: but somehow. in
spite of the remarkably handsome
dress he wore, ne looked more ruff
fianly than ever. After tea We had
out the card table, and he showed
us some strange tricks at cards, and
played against US, and cheated us
both for fun, and laughed at Grace's
wonder. Then Grace sang awhile :;
then the clock struck eleven my
time bad come.
"It's cold night" said /.
Bitter" said he, shuddering.
But then, | came from warm
climate"
Something warm to drink would
be comfort, " said |.
He frightened up.
1T would suit me, said he.
"A bowl of punch, now," said l.
Grace started.
"Punchl / thought you
l stopped her.
This is a special occasion" said
|, land to tell the truth | have
some prepared.
Fond of drop yourself of a
cold night, and none the worse for
it, ma'am," said he, with a laugh.
l laughed also as | left the room.
In the kitchen l found my punch
bowl full.
"Is it hot?" said l.
Boiling" said the girl, and l set
it on the tray, with the ladle Then
/ called John. our coachman, a bur
ly fellow over six feet in height.
john" said l, g stay near the
door; if | call, come and do what |
tell YOU" The man stared, but
obeyed.
| waited until | heard him plant
himself upon the sill of the door,
then entered the parlor.
Take it, Mr.. Zenzee is it not |
fne?'' | said.
And then as / stood near him the
bowl dropped from my hands and |
the contents poured over Mr.. Zen
zee's knees. He howled, for the |
boiling fluid filled the loose shoes he |
wore; and dowa / went upon my |
knees before the spot to which he
had sprung.
".Oh, what an unlucky thing. !
Are you scalded? ? Let me see"
And as he sat writhing with pain |
upon the sofa | tore off shoes and |
stockings with great pretense com
passion and grief.
Both feet lay bare upon cushion.
The right perfect. The left-the /
MANNED foot which had made its
impression in the clay oil the night
of my husbands murder.
| gave yell of almost insane tri-
umph, and cried aloud for John.
Hold him y | said. Do not
let him gol He is a murderer r l
forget the other details of the night, |
or remember them only in a sort of
a dream. | know emisaries OF the
law filed my house. | know my
wild statement slowly gained cred
ence. had my proof in the clay
and plaster in my room above. At
last the recognition of the man as
desperate OF the Mississippi, and
finally in his own confession.
His end was the one he merlted,
and my work was done. Grace felt
no regrets, and long since married
a man she learned to love with her
whole heart, and they are moderate
ly prosperous And II am pa
tient, and abide Gods will.
A Midnight Shot.