The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-11-22

with winch but brief hour before she
had decorated it, thinking of the hap
piness with which the good God had
filled her life, and now the whitening
blossoms were fitting emblems of the
dcsolation that had come to her.
The next day Mortified groups were
gathered around the cottage which had
but lately been the scene Of what had
seemed to be one of those rare unions
where husband and wife are as ..two
souls with but single thought"
Now it was the center of most
shocking tragedy. The noble young
master of the house lay within it,
senseless and motionless. stricken
down by the hand of an assassin; and
the darkest and most incomprehensibl
part of the affair was that the beauti-
full and fondly worshipped wife accused
herself of the murder
Il am his destroyer! Kill me, tool"
was her wild cry, rung in every change
of which the human voice is capable
now pathetic, now commanding; but
the keynote was ever the same.
The peaceable villagers looked at
one another in CONSERVATION aud inde-
cision. 1t was difficult to believe that
her words were au@ht but the prompt
ings of a mind unsettled by her sudden
sorrow. But if they were true! then
Justice required that punishment be
dealt out to her, though she be young
and fair rs an angel.
So the poor half-dazed creature was
placed in custody OF the sheriff until
such time as it could be proved wheth-
er she were innocent or guilty. He
was thoroughly kind-hearted, and he
at once took her to his own house,
entreating his wife to minister to her
wants, and to endeavor to calm her
agitation by the gentle sympathy
good woman can render to one of her
own sex in her hour of need so effect
ually.
BY that means he hoped also to learn
the truth. But it seemed as though
Elsie's lips could frame only one form
of speech-as though her mind held
but one thought Still rang out the
despairing cry, Il have killed him!
And at last the belief gained ground
that in a sudden attack of insanity she
had put out the life which in her sane
moments was so unutterably dear to
her.
Days passed on. Gerald Marchmont
was not dead, as was at first thought;
but he had continuedin a stupor which
so closely resembled death that it had
been considered advisable not to add
to Else's agitated state by communi-
eating the truth to her until a change
for the better or worse should have
taken place.
Meanwhile she had settled into
stony calm. Her bright color had
faded away into ghostly white, and
her large eyes looked even larger and
brighter for the dark lines which an
guish had traced beneath them.
One morning. as the door opened to
admit the village doctor and the sheriff,
they fixed themselves, with a mournful
question in their sad depths, first upon
one face, and then upon the other.
Mrs. Marchmont," said the doctor,
looking at her keeniy, II have good
news for you. Your husband will
live. He has been insensible since his
accident until now; but he has come
to himself, and calls constantly for
you.n
With thrilling cry, as Elsie COM
pretended the meaning of the words
which conveyed the blissful truth to
her, she threw herself upon her knees.
.'Oh, God, thank Thee! Thou
hast given me more than life! Thou
Quick! Bring water! she has faint
edr'
Before he could reach her, she lay
white as crushed lily upon the floor;
but peaceful smile fingered around
her deIicately-cut tremulous lips told
of mind at rest.
Gerald was convalescent. His wife
had left the room for a moment. The
doctor who had attended him through
his illness was seated beside him.
''Marchmont." he asked. suddenly,
"do you remember anything about the
appearance of your assailantP"
Yes" answered the young man,
with a painful red rising and coloring
his forehead, ''but it is a subject of
which l prefer not to speak. Why do
you ask?" he said, as glance at his
interlocutor's face showed an ex-
preston upon it which struck him as
strange.
The doctor said. confusedly:
'.It is nothing. A mere feeling of
curiosity
Gerald looked at him keenly.
doctor May" he said, ssthere is
something on your mind. AS you
value the friendship of poor fellow
who but for you would be sleeping
his last sleep, tell me the truth And
he put out his wasted hand, and took
one of the doctors in it. ''No matter"
he continued; '.if it concerns my near
est and dearest"
His words struck upon his listeners
ears like an electric shock.
Gould it be true, after ALP" he
thought to himself.
Then, with asudden resolve to probe
to the bottom of affairs, he responded
to Gerald Marchmont's question.
''As you request it, will tell you
all. Mrs. Marchmont accused herself,
and-and-she was incarcerated until
the effect of your wounds became
known"
1t was with an effort he concluded; for
Gerald had started from his reclining
position, his weakness forgotten. The
veins upon his forehead swelled. He
painted for breath in his anger and ex-
element
GLOW did they dare!' he exclaimed
'.My Elsie! She would die for me any
moment"
But at this juncture Elsie entered the
room again, and, with an effort Gerald
calmed himself, so that she might not
notice his agitation.
Just then murmur OF voices was
heard without. The body of a man
had been discovered in piece of
woodland at little distance from the
cottage. Upon his person had been
found a set of burglars tools, and a
watch with Gerald Marchmont's name
engraved upon it, and public opinion
at once pointed to him as the person
who had so nearly added murder to
robbery. The cause of his death was
singular one. His foot had caught
in a spring trap set for game, and he
had fallen forward upon his face in a
pool of water scarcely foot in depth.
Ia< baA fat, 70