The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-05-05

heed them not. By this token know
both destroyer and destroyed Then
across the floor of my room glided a
glittering snake, unlike anything
we see upon English moors. And
/, obeying the command, came
here to find the destroyer"
At that moment he trembled,
touched my arm and bid me look
across the room. There stood Frank
and Mrs. Vernay-she with the
ieweIed snake twisted in her hair, be
with another. a bracelet of hers,
clasped around his wrist; some
Jokes passed between them, and she
had slipped it on.
MY dear Kenneth, these are fan
cies, nothing but fancies," | said, for
his manner alarmed me. "You cam {
think that anything more dangerous
than a boyish love affair can result
from Franks friendship with Mrs.
Veraay."
"Lilith ~ was all he said,
Tell me how did you guess her
namew
at came to me as that command
came, when | saw her write" he re-
piled. Then crossing the room, he
asked the beauty to dance, taking
her away from Frank.
| believe bets passed between the
men at the Torremouth Club as to
which of the brothers would marry
beautiful Mrs Vernsy. | confess |
wondered myself whether Kenneth
would relinquish his noble schemes
and marry like any other ordin-
ary mortal. | rarely saw him with
out Mrs. Vernay. He rode with her,
drove with her, spent long hours
in her pretty drawiEg-room, and
walked with her on the esplanade. |
asked him what was coming from
all this, and had for a reply, IF |
don't marry her, Frank william
aswer which at the time struck me
as strange.
And one day Frank came to my
wife to pour into her sym pathetic
ears wild fierce raving against his
brother. Why had Kenneth talked
all that nonsense about celibacy
and selusion when he came and took
away the only woman Frank ever
would, ever could love?
And thus we heard of Kenneth's
eng glgement to the beautiful Mrs.
Vernay
All the men IN the place enyied
him, but never in my life have 1
seen so grave and gloomy a lover.
Yet, like all the other men who met
her, he seemed to adore her l nev-
er heard any one question his de-
votion. Perhaps their eyes were
blinded. | knew we all pitied
Frank And the time passed msrrily
by TO the wedding dsv. Mrs. YER
nav growing daily more beautiful
Once she passed me as | walked
with friend on the esplanade.
Good heavens !" he exclaimed,
what a likeness y
TO whom asked.
"To a peasant girl In the Black
Forest who a few years ago created
stir in her village All the young,
fellows were in love with her; she
married one of them, and in a few
days later be was found dead in his
bed, the bride having vanished no
one knew whittier"
IAN unpleasant story" | said, lit
tie pleased to notice Kenneth near
me, who must have heard every
word.
',Of course, il is only a chance
likeness" said my friend.
"Lilith Y murmured Kenneth, as
he passed me.
A week or two later and there was a
fashionable wedding in Torremouth
dismal as are all such festivities,
Kenneth had begged for a private
wedding Mrs. Vernay laughed in
his face.
"You ridiculous boy !" she said ;
people will think you are ashamed
of me-"
The only member of the family
not present was Frank. He had re-
Joined his regiment
1t Was over-breakfast, speeches
snd sll-and | was refreshing N.Y.
self by a walk near the sea
A total stranger came up and ad-
dressed me, inquiring about that
mornings wedding He appeared
to have been a spectator in the
church. Among other things. he
asked me the brides name.
"She was a Mrs Vernay," /
replied
"Ah," he said, Il thought l knew
her again"
MAY I ask you where you met her?
"In Ceylon. She came out as
bride-after three weeks" He
paused, but. | begged him to 60 on.
1T is al unpleasant story he
said, Her husband was found
strangled in his bed. They said one
of the Syces had done it, but some
thought Mrs. Vernay could have sx-
planned the matter"
| asked ne further questions-a
voice seemed to whisper in my ear,
'Lilith y and the stranger went on
his way.
But | forgot my forebodings as the
days passed, bringing nothing but
good news of Kenneth and his wife,
as they travelled in the lake district.
We talked of them the weather they
must be enjoying, and and specula-
ted as to their future home, as yet
undetermined.
One night after nay wife had gone
to bed | was lingering over the fire.
Carelessly | raised my eyes toward
a mirror hung above the mantle
piece, and then my attention was
riveted by the reflection that met
my eyes. 1t was no repetition of
the room was in, but faithful
picture of Kenneth's retreat at the
chapel.
/ saw the door open and food
of pale moonlight stream into the
room. ] saw Kenneth and his wife
enter as from long journey, and l
noticed her passing around the room
looking at his treasures while be lit
a lamp. She had something in her