The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-12-12

deref.
''Then he did not kill himself?'' | gasp
ed.
The physician turned down the bed
clothes, and ! saw another handkerchief
tied about his wrists.
The window had been opened, too, [
heard, and rope ladder hung from the
balcony. My father had been murdered.
How well remember all the details of
such hours. But will write them down.
Much skill was needed to part those set
teeth, and extricate what they held; but
this being done, it proved to be the end of
little finger, so they told me. Whoever
had murdered my father bore away a mark
that would last lifetime.
This fact saved me from suspicion, for
one who had been disinherited the next
day might well be suspected if he who was
to disinherit him died foul death at
night. But search was in vain. We found
no token of the guilty person, who, doubt
less, We said had flown in terror of appre-
hension before he could secure the valua-
bles which must have been his object
The funeral took place. The days of
mourning passed. In my grief | had half
forgotten my bride but she bore herself
well and with dignity. Dressed in black,
yelled in her mantilla, black gloves on her
hands, a black fan shading her eyes, she
seemed to mourn as deeply as | did.
''She is as digniied as queen, y said the
notary to me. ''She will adorn her sta
ton
We had been married four weeks, and so
occupied had | been with this horror that
her caress; but time soothes all emotions.
At last, though | still grieved for my faith
er, my passion tor Pepita returned. One
evening we sat together on the balcony,
drew on led her to my own apartment.
1t was the first time we had entered it.
Shall I ever forget that hour-the look
of her face, the perfume of the rose in her
mer night? placed her in great chair
and knelt at her feet. My head rested on
! her bosom.
'.Pepita,'' said, 1--WE are alone. Forget
the ceremony which becomes you so we'll.
Your mantilla hides your beautiful hair.
Cast it aside"
She obeyed me. She also drew the gold
en- comb from her hair and let it float over
my face in its perfumed righteousness.
Take off your gloves, Pepita," | said,
at has pleased me to see you gloved so
well, but now we are alone.
| | heard her heart give one quick throb.
''Basil," she said, ''let me keep the gloves
on my rough, washer-woman hands until
dleness whitens Them even when alone
with you
absurd, " said l. Il love your hands
and all; take off your gloves and let me
kiss them"
At this Pepita removed the glove of her
right hand, on which my wedding ring
shone.
"Your hands are white already" l said,
covering them with kisses. Now the
other"
''No,'' said she. Its a within of mine y
| looked at her.
Il burnt my hand yesterday" she said.
81 desire to keep it gloved.'
| knelt before her no more.
''Pepita,' said take off your glove y
"What tyrant BASIL she said, Lis
ten. will confess. | made a vow that if
might be your wife and great lady |
would not take off my gloves. have half
broken it Tow, so pardon me if do not
quite do So
"Pepita,'' | said, you made another
vow to obey me, your husband. Remove
your gloves"
every we'll" she said humbly.
Il will remove my glove, and you are
my husband, and you also made vow to
me-
She drew the glove, and as she did so
dropped her hand into the folds of her
dress.
| | approached her and took it in my own.
And now, what was this saw? A hand
torn and mutilated! Heaven! The cour-
age she had to hide such pain And of
the little finger, only stump remainingl
| 1t had been scared with hot iron. So
had the great torn bite across the back
but ah, the horrible hand
| looked at her. She at me.
Il am your wife, she said. my name
is yours, Basil, love you.
''He was my father" | answered. yet
you are my wife. You may put on your
glove again.
People said many things concerning us
when we parted So soon. She was unfaith-
| full jealous-but no one knew.
! She lives in her handsome house, and |
have heard that her elegance in always
wearing gloves is admired by many, while
others obviously whisper ''washer-woman's
hands.
l, and the portion of my fortune ! re-
served for myself belong to this monas-
| try.
She bears my old name. | am only Bro
ther Basil This is all can tell you, but
you know the story know not if may
be forgiven for my silence hereafter, but
she was my wife.