The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-07-24

moonlight rhapsody, am sure, will be
fine"
l was sweet to be called dear, ever
with a privileged prefix, by one so love
ly, no matter how unbalanced.
81 will repeat Shelley's Ode to the
Moon for you, If you like" replied.
The deacon protested; he didn't de
sire to hear anything from Shelley
He requested Reba to sing as com
promise.
She went to the piano and sang in 4
sweet voice The Ballad of a Troubadour
I was moved by the purity and cystal
like melody of her notes. She asked
me if sang, and before l knew what
answer l made we were singing Men
] delsssohn's duet. 81 would that my
9oo4Saa1sa '-'''' - t'7.
! 1t must have brought back tender
memories to her. A tear fell from hei
eyes as she ceased, and she hurriedlA
bade me good night and departed
The deacon lad buried his face ir
both his hands. When he looked up hi.
eyes were red and he said in husky
tone of voice.
II heard her mother sing that way 6
few days before she died"
l intended to ask all about Reba'
mental arrangement, but j concluded t
wait and not add more anguish to hin
that night.
retired, but could not sleep. The
melody of Rebas voice rang in my ear.
and her beautiful face haunted my Wis
ion. got up and dressed. l gazet
out of my window at the clear, moon
light night. 1t was tempting, so dies
cended and slrolled TO the rustic old
fountain. Everything was quiet, and
the far-off bark of a dog had lonesome
wall in its dying echoes. Suddenly a
light beamed from a lower window in
the house. 1t was in Reba's room.
| could not refrain from looking, when
my heart sank within me at the sight
beheld.
The figure of girl, clad in white ma.
terial, that clung in classic folds to hel
superb form. was standing erect, hel
long hair falling in wild disorder oyer
her, shoulders. In her right hand she
held poniard on high, its bright blade
pointed at her bosom.
In Imagination l saw the crimson
stream stain the white robe, heard the
short gasp and moan, and pressed the
cold form that lay silent on the floor.
| sprang to my feet and rushed for
ward, my only impulse being to reach
her before she fell. prayed that some
thought would seize her and make her
stay her. mad purpose but for minute.
l reached the window just as the fash
ing blade was dashed to the floor, and
the girl stood tnharmed,
With a single bound L cleared the
lo"swlndow sill and caught her in my
arms.
'Reba, for Gods sake don't kill your
selfr'
She turned pale and freed herself from
my arms. / thought perhaps she would
faint. She sat down in a chair and be-
gan to laugh heartily. 1t seemed to
amuse her infinitely. My feelings were
wrought up TO a pitch, and started to
speak harshly to her for such leyity,
when suddenly it occurred to me that
her crazy tit was upon her.
Pity for her condition was more in
order than ccnsure.
did you see me with the poniard?"
she asked, smiling.
When explained where was at and
how felt; rushing forward to saye her
she said:
Il believe you have the elements of a
hero in you. You wanted to save my
life, did you not? Perhaps l may give
you that chance yet, but only OH one
condition. lI'ill you promse?'
Ipromised ANYTHING if she would not
attempt suicide again.
"Do not tell my father anything what
has happened tonight. Before you
leave for the city l have plan TO dis
close TO you. viii you trust and be-
lieYe in me?"
How could l resist such a pleading
look? SO in order to humor her l
agreed.
She then walked to the poniard, picked
1T up and presented it to me.
She asked me to keepit as a souvenir
AS she bowed me out with the grace of
queen, she repeated these lines:
Beneath,misfortune' stroke
The hrmest mind will fail and stunn'd depart
from Its sage plan OF action.
Evidently the unfortunate woman
knew then that she was insane, or else
she never would haye uttered words that
conveyed that idea.
The next day met Reba and my un-
Gle at the breakfast table. She was
looking bright and saluted ME with
smile. She even went SO far as to ask
me ii | had had good nights rest and
in my dreams carried me back to the
busy scenes of the city.
"What admirable acting; nothing but
insanity could make such an utter for
getfulness on her part of the transac-
tions of the night" thought.
My uncle declared that looked as If
had not slept wink, and felt it de-
cidedly. The case began that day, so / |
was occupied until nearly sundown in |
the task of getting jury. At dinner
the deacon persisted in talking about
the jurors l had selected, but told him
that il did not win the suit for him
and put the plaintiff in for costs and |
damages l would charge no fee. This
put him in a good mood, and in the JOY
of the moment he said: