The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-28
Written for the Indianapolis Sentinel
META WOODRUFF.
CHAPTER Xxx.

lie down and rett- one SOON fesi last dsiccp,
and did not awake until almost noon. Ar
thur did not leave her side, aud as he gazsd
upon the face of the sleeping woman, which
in sleep bad recovered its placid look, ne
thought Of the evil she had done. He pitled
her, and resolved 70 do all in his power TO
save her from the prison. He had been her
friend in prosperity, and now that she was
in trouble and needed some one to befriend
her he would not forsake her; for. had itnct
been for him, she might now be living hap
PLY with her husband. When Lima awoke
she had forgotten for an instant all that bad
occurred the night before. oh! that that
dreadful night might be wiped out of her
life and out of the minds OF those who knew
of it," thought Arthur.
'Oh. Arthur, what brings you here Give
would not like this il be knew it." she said,
smiling.
Fortunately he does know OF it, and"
al remember now what has happened.
How strange it seems that you were once
my devoted lover. l have slept soundly
while my guardian angel watched over me-"
.For the love OF heaven, Lima, be serious
think of the position yeu are in. Have you
no fear of punishment"
"None whatever. Arthur, my great love
for you, and the knowledge of losing you,
sim ,st drove me mad; the thought OF living
without you did make me desperate and
caused me to try 10 murder my husband.
But now / curse you with the lips which in
the past have only spoken of love to you"
Stop, Lima, have q little mercy, as L"
No mercy, no sympathy aud no pity for
you; nor do I ask you to pity me. Pity
from you would be out of plscel'
~ do pity you whether you ask 1t or not,
and il ii is within my power, will save you
rom being sent TO prison"
You need have no fears OF my being sent
% prison. Life may be sweet 10 some, TO me
u isa curse, and do not intend to be bur
dened with that curse much longer. You
shndder and look frightened perhaps you
think I am afraid TO die after leading such
wicked life. You must remember that
have long ago ceased to believe in God,
Heaven or bell; then Why need l be afraid
10 die3 Beside, ii such things do exist be.
leye sou will have TO answer for my great
sin; If you Fad fulfilled your promise before
/ had gwen up all hope OF earthly happiness,
should DOW be as innoceht aud pure Is the
LAD; yoc low love and want to make your
Nife. said Lima. with eyes sparkling With
excitement.
Il know 1 did you great wrong in not
freeing you years ago, so that you might
have married when you we're young, and
found happiness with some true, loving
husband" he answered, tboughtfuly.
II did not want to be free was cont Al ted
with YOUR love M I'll 1 had grown too old t.
care for another" she answered.
Whether You wanted ii or not. / had no
right TO hold you to an engagement which
might not terminate in a happy union for
years. But was selfish and only thought
OF the happy years TO come after weary wait
irg. Alas, the bubble has burst aud all
that is LETT for you IS shame and disgrace;
while II me is left the thought of my rong
doing, and perhaps long weary years OF
vrsichedness."
oh, 10. not If you are welded to the little
pur:s II is well she disguised herself before
she entered Woodruff Hall"
Lima 1 have not the least hope o. ever
being able to win her love, for we'll do | re-
member the answer abe gave when l, not
thought Meta Woodruff would ever marry,
bow that SIZE was no longer engaged to
Eugene Hay"
II was listening and heard the answer she
gave; but IL nv opinion that she will accept
you for your kindness to her father I hate
her bitterly, although as Madam RseK |
loved her. But now that it can make no diff
ference in either of our lives, will ackuowl
edge that she is the truest, most noble wo.
nan and devoted daughter have ever net.
On, that my father or mother might have
been spared me, /, too, might have been
this unfortunate woman.
"Lins, you are yet young woman; You
yet have time to reform and become as pure
as Meta Woodruff
ut Is not nv age that would prevent my
reforming, but that which, il / live would
seem so sweet to me; / mean revenge. Re-
veDge upon you, who have wrecked my life.
There can be no reformation where the
heart Is SIS black as Satan-a..heart dipped in
bloSd, and only waiting the opportunity to
ha Nv cd a NOR hno Ruf
of this nonsense. Come, tell me what my
noble husband has to say concerning the
conduct of his precious wife" she said
sneeringly.
He has sent for an officer and his lawyer
He viii ask to be allowed TO let you remain
in the Hall until he is able to be out once
more"
Generous fellow. hope be will not be
III much longer, as be has already suffered q
Ifeat deal"
The shock occssioned by his discovery of
yoUr crime hes completely Frustrated him,
and | fear is will be come time before he is
bic to go down stairs"
Lima said no more, bat turned her face 10
The wall. and was silent the remainder OF
The day
A week passed by slowly TO all the iuhab.
iiants of Woodruff Hall Mr. Woodruff was
Gaining strength slowly, as the great strain
on his mind seemed to prevent more rapid
gain. Lima had been removed to another
and more secure room, where escape was i'm
pcssiele. Flo, who had returned 70 the
Hall, was her constant companion, which
arrangement did not please Flo in the east,
as she disliked Ole Mason" very much
What am de matter, FLOP Is you gittin'
bad Ike missus from 'soshiatin' wild her?'
Jack asked her one day as she sat Just out
side Linas door, pouting and talking to her
self
Oh bat I does hate folks as Is sllus
nnoin' fault Look hsah Back Jack. don
YOU cher talk Ike dat 10 me sgain, an I'll
tell yer secret"
Ont wild 1t den, honey"
We'll. helped ole Mason undress-I begs
20 pardin'. / mean sisted her 10 disrobe-
an Whist yer s'pose che sm got on he pusson.