The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-05-03
fangledLives;
OF.
A BROKEN TIE.
1urpnn OF "a YATAL MISTAKE, "HErTEUED,
M yRxE," "EsTELLE's ERRoR,"
"cLoUDs AND SUNSHINE"
SUSPECTED, ETC.
IcoNrlHuED.1
JARRETT SYLVESTER,

fooNrlruED.1
"No," she whispered
HE had discovered that I had found
sut his secret.
For some time Edith was silent and
In companion suffered her to remain
ilent
Edith" he said, presently, "his
sscret shall remain safe on one conIi-
ton"
"Secret safe ;" she echoed.
ayes it is shameful secret, but
VII keep it if you Will be mine''
"Yours." she said. rcusing herself
fom the terrible numbness that seemed
10 have crept over her. Never! Ed
vard would not accept the sacrifice If I
we're disposed to mike it.
But / have another secret to keep"
be ewhispered.
"Another!"
"Yes His love is returned you share
his guilty passion"
wretch !"
The word was not spoken, but breathed
between the clenched teeth.
Don't be SO complimentary, pray!
Ak your own heart if it be not the
truth"
my own heart declares you to be
1nstard and coward! It is false-false!
/ love him; but he is my brother.
Hhnderer. Help! Ernest, Edward,
lume to met"
She fell forward on her face, crushed
b. the vile accusation.
Reginald sprang forward He raised
hr in his arms and quickly carried her
J 10 the brink of the lake, bathing her
1lee and hands in alarm. It WIS some
time before she opened her eyes, and
than, with q shuddering hoIror, she
4nned them away and tried to move.
His touch, as he attempted to assist
II, seemed to give her strength, and
he rose to her feet
Don't touch me !" she painted "You
1nSe basely slandered the noblest heart
1T ever beat! Don't speak to moi
Your voice has polluted my ears with
ths vilest talk that ever tieEd could have
invented! Wretch! 1 hate-I lOathe
M"
With q gesture of inexpressible con-
tempt she turned from him, leaving him
more than surprised ut the witherlng
words Of one usually so gentle.
You shall repent it" he muttered,
Aenching hls hand; lin the lowest
dapth OF misery you shall repent those
words"
Upon ginning her chamber. all Edith's
courage gave way.
On" she said. clasping her hands,
what IS it this fearful man has told me-!
Gan this be true OF Edward nay noble
brother, whom l have looked upon as
Perfection: Oh, no, no. And she
continued wrlnging her hands. Can l
forget hls locks, SO tender, yet SO full OF
anguish his manner, SO fond, yet SO
mpeihng: Oh, my poor, poor. Edward !!
u De wrong. 1t callllot be yolu fault.
Let me read this de,a, loving letter it
vii reasslre me-
and seating herself in the window re-
'eeas. she Grew his last letter from her
bosom. As she did SO, Reginnlds words,
mat she shared III this love, recurred to
her, and she flung the letter from her
Mfh gesture of horror.
What does it do III my bosOm!' she
gasped why do l carry his letters
mere! Why read them over and over,
ana bless him for his loving words! Can
y De true that do love? Can it be that
nls heart wickedly cherishes Lls image
otner than as my brother. Heaven
guide me! Do sisters carry their
orothers' letters thuss I do not know;
! nave never thought of it. I have loved
nun as the dearest being en- earth yet
- No. l will not think so-wiu not
confess it. Ernest. my twin brother, Is
me dearer of the two; he must be-sla1
bel"
A burst of tears relieved her full heart,
md taking up the letter, without one
0as she folded it and locked It Ii u
drawer.
When she descended to the drawing
room she was overwhelmed with in
qunes and sympathy. Her pale face
vas the object of the kindest solicitation.
md Gerald's was blanched to an almost
equal Wilderness Us he led her to couch
mar his mother.
For some days poor Edith was too i'll
% leave her room. Her intense anguish
Produced 4 low nervous fever, and she
could not answer the simplest question
without bursting into tears and sobbing
convulsiyely. The Viscountess scarcely
laft her sile, holding her feverish hand
md smoothing with her soft fingers the
nalr from her flushed brow. All her
beautiful color and bright spirits left
heF. and she lay for hours, neither
peaklng nor moving.
Gerald was almost distracted. He inn
plored the Viscount to send for y phvG
nAn from London and his father. to
.oothe and occupy him, sent hum to town
1W Dr.. Bolton.
But the physician could not nlinises9
Q . mind diseased. To all his inquiries
.edith replied only with taars. and at
!ength the doctor was Obliged to take his
I'VE, advising change Of scene
) hut the airI Was young and skonA