St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-06

Gordon nursed him tenderly with her OWE
dimpled hands, and soothed his aching brow
At last the physician pronounced him out Of
danger and in few weeks he was able tC
sit in an easy chair by the window anC
watch Lily as she frolicked with PontO or
the lawn. Yet his wicked heart was not al
rest. There was constant fear lest Nata.
lie should have escaped death in the lake
that night by some strange power, 1t
dared not think what, and would yet come
between him and the beautiful heiress,
Lily Gordon. He felt sure it was his wife
whom he had seen on the lake the night
he had visited the gloomy old house OF the
bag. Yet, how could it be, when, with
his own eyes, he had seen her sink beneath
the waters of the lake. with that wild cry,
which even now he could hear?
Courses upon her, and the day | married
! her," he would mutter. But she was
beautiful, and her beauty pleased me- and
! so was fool enough to marry her. But
F., VOW she shall never come between me anC
my beautiful Lily. Never! l love Lily
Gordon and | love her fortune also. To be
| sure, | have quite a little fortune of my
own. but not enough to satisfy my rowing
nature"
And he laughed bitter, knocking
laugh. Days passed. Young st. Glare
gained in strength. and the wedding day
was again set. 1t was thought best to have
the ceremony performed at the grange or
account of the feeble condition of St
Clare's health.
1t was the night before the wedding
Calm. clear and beautiful! The silvery
moon was high in the spotless blue
of the heavens, throwing her soft
white light over st. Clare grange and in al
the window of Clyde st. Clares chamber
The young man, too much haunted witt
unpleasant memories to Sleep lay quietly
watching the fairy-like play of the moon
beams. But his face was dark as the
Blacklist night, and fierce CLEAN was in his
eye.
why does the moonlight haunt me sof
hate it!'' he exclaimed. why can't
sleep? l wish it would storm! Anything
to break this terrible stiffness"
And, turning upon his pillow, he
closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
For a long time he lay very quiet.
and to all appearances in a deen
sleep. But in reality he was living over
again that calm, still night on the lake,
when he, at the early age of %, had be-
come a murderer. What could have be-
come of the child? His child, and hers.
Should he ever hear of it again? No; the
mother must be dead, and what harm could
little child do.
Suddenly he was aroused from his rev.
erie by something cold touching his fore
head A shudder crept over him, and open
ing his eyes strange sight met his gaze.
There. close by his bedside, her face, white
and thin, her long. dark hair falling over
her shoulders, and her great, dark eyes gaz-
ar,rr xry,ft n,+,,n N,1 into h
stood his young wife, Natalie st. Clare.
The same heecy shawl was about her. and
one cold. white hand was OH his forehead
He tried to move, to shake it OFT, but some
strange power held him.
Il must be dreaming" he thought.
''This is a nightmare, and in vain he en-
deavored to rise and grasp the still. motion
less form by his side. Then the cold hand
slowly moved down over his face and the
icy fingers fastened about his throat. Still
he could not move or cry out Oh, this
was terrible! Could he be dying? He tried
to remove his gaze from that white. death
like face. But those great. black eyes still
gaZed steadily into his and held him SPELL
bound. The icy fingers frightened about
his throat and he felt the edge of the we'd
ding ring he had once placed upon her
finger cutting his flesh. A strange choking
sensation crept over him, and it was with
difficulty he could breathe. Then, could it
be? Yes, the white lips moved! and he
heard, as in a dream, strange, hollow
voice say:
1.-The waters of the lake are deep and
cold, but they could not drown my soul.
You murdered your wife, Clyde st. Clare,
the mother of your child, and her spirit
shall haunt you forever"
Once more ne tried, with mighty effort,
to arouse himself to action. A terrible
dread stole over him, and the words, deep
and cold, seemed like icy darts driven into
his heart. Then the sunken voice con-
tinued:
"You are expecting to wed Lily Gordon
on the morrow, but you little know what
the morrow will bring. Clyde St. Clare,
you are doomed man; beware p
And ere he could realize the meaning of
those terrible words the icy fingers dropped
from his throat. and the ghostly form glided
from the room. Then. pale and trembling.
the cold sweat standing in beady drops upon
his brow. he bounded to his feet, uttering a
terrible oath. But the ghost was gone.
With shudder he opened the door, and
gazed out into the corridor, but all was
still as death, and. painting with fear and
dread, he again sought his pillow, NUT
tering:
''It must have been dream. terrible
nightmare. Curse her [ can feel her cold
fingers about my throat yet"
Morning dawned at last, and St. Clare
gained courage with the light. The guests
arrived in due time. and Lily Gordon.
arrayed in her rich bridal robes. descended
the long staircase, leaning upon the arm OF
her maid. At the foot she was met by
Clyde, looking pale and haggard. and far
from happy.
You are i'll, Clyde" exclaimed Lily
anXiously. as she took his arm and gazed
into his face. He tried to smile as he re-
piled:
mo, Lily! 1 am quite well, I assure
you. l had restless night, but the morn
ing air gives me new life. They are wait
ing for us, pet; let US hasten to the par
lor"
A moment more and they had entered
the spacious and richly-furnished rooms.
intimate friends of the bridal party. The
wedding was to be very quiet one, and
Immediately afterwards the young couple
were to start on short wedding tour. Lily
Gordon looked very beautiful as she took
her place by the side of the man to whom
she was about to be united for life. Hel
sweet face was very pale, and she fully
realized the depths of the solemn, sacred
vows she was about to utter. For a loving
woman finds heaven or hell on the day she
becomes bride.
The face of Clyde st. Clare was beaming
with triumph. Yet underneath lurked the
old dread. as all the horrors of the past
night rushed back to him and the words
Clyde st. Clare you are doomed man
beware! seemed to ring in his ears. VIII lie
faint and far came a sunken whispe r.
deep and coldr' The clergyman had
taken his place and was half through with
the ceremony ere he could Danish those
words from bic mind I.If tboro ho