The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-09-27


cell with much frou-ti'ou of silker
robes, and the door changed into place
behind her. Boyden sprang from tn.
pallet upon which he had been ruminat
ing, and regarded his visitor with in
tense curiosity.
She was tall, splendidly propor
toned woman, closely yelled, attired in
somber black of the richest materials
and bore herself with the stateliness OF
n queen.
After cursory glance. Boyden ex-
claimed:
"Who are you?"
For answer the stranger slowly raised
her veil and discovered bold, hand
some face, of, decidedly Southern
type, Judging by the rich olive com
plexion and the large, dark eyes. set
beneath the low brow like shining
stars. At sight of that face Boyden re.
coiled with cry of amazement, while n
single name escaped his lips. That
name was:
"Cora?"
Yes, Cora" came the echo in a rich,
melodious voice.
what brings you here ?" he demand
ed, "at the eleventh hour?"
1T is never too late for dutiful wife
to visit her husband" replied the wom-
an, with a cruel smile.
Il don't sec it in that light"
IL do; therefore have come.
A momentary silence fell betwe, n thu
pair, during which they eyed each other
curiously.
ut is years since we met, Max, the
woman said Mt last, seating herself
upon the only stool that the cell af-
forded.
ut is just as we'll, since we couldn't
agree" was the sullen reply.
And suppose you haven't thought
of me twice in all that time"
Boyden fretted nervously and glanced
up ut the slender ray of sunlight that
found entrance at the harrow grated
window and shimmered upon the white.
washed wall, rs he answered:
"Look here, Cora According to Won
IT isn't too late for us to meet, accord
ing to me it is too late for any silly
sentiment between us. Tn iii here to
be tried for my life-for murder, and I
have quite enough to think of"
The large, dark eyes watched him rs
he spoke without suggestion of tear
in their limpid depths, and the voice
was firm and musical without trace of
emotion as she rejoincd:
II have not troubled Won aimee VIC
parted four years ago, and / have no
intention of troubling you now. Il
have kept the secret of our marriage to
myself, and travel nnder an assumed
name. No matter why have been so
true to you; perhaps it has been salts
to say now is, that I shall be glad to be
of assistance to you, if can be-"
She paused here, keeping her eyes
fixed upon him steadily. With the ce-
lerity of lightning, and almost with it's
vivid effect, new light leaped into
Boydcn's eye, Il flush mantled his pal
lid face, and he seemed to experience
some triumphant satisfaction. Drop
ping down upon the edge of the pallet
besi,le which the young woman sat, he
said, with swift eagerncss:
"Do you mean what you say, Cora?"
every word"
you're good girlW he murmurcd,
trying to take her black-gloved hand
in his; but she rcsolutcly withdrew it
from his clasp, saying, with cutting
smile:
according to you, il is TOO late for
any silly sentiment between us, and !
agree with you"
He bit his lir, and his manner
changed.
Every well" hc said, tcrscly; "our
time is short and we must make the
most of it, Tell me, how are yon get
ting along?"
"As usual"
"WlMt are you doing?"
ooh, singing in music halls and tho.
aters in various parts of the country,
wherever engagements call me-"
"Do you make all the money you
wnnt?"
The fine dark eyes CLEANED lmnerily
az the woman replied:
81 should not have money enough if
I possessed the wealth of the Indies.
I'm furnishing for it ] want to ride
over these proud ladies who look down
upon and despise me wonld give ten
years of my life to compel them TO rec
ogniZc mel"
Boyden fairly smiled with sntisfac-
tion in spite of himself; she was as
soft wax for his hands to mold
she was an instrument awaiting his
touch.
Cora" lie said. his voice trembling
with eagerness. "you say that you
would he glod to DO cf assistance to
mc?"
She bowed her beautiful head ailirm
atively.
You can bcw
"How?"
"You can be, and with advantage Il
yourself ] would not ask you to dc
me favor unless could make yo,
some recompense. Being able to dt
this, | will speak frankly. You knew
my uncle, Orrin Clifford as well rs I
You know that it was he who came he
tween us. he who refused to recognize
you because he did not consider yor
sufficiently wcll-born, he who ha.
driven Won to singing before the loves
classes for your living! You remember
And being dead, you hate his memory
do you not?"
81 hate him dead and alivel" cam,
the lowtoned, vcnomous reply.
"You also know the story of his pas
rs well as ]. Well, that child of his
that troublesome brat, Grace, whom
Nicholas Garland fathered. has t..rnc,