The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-03-09
1.ehighton, Carbon County, Penna, March g. 1889.

ShuuuOi' hau he lOhOWcu Oub MS icouihi
impulse he would have snatched Edithi
from that wOman's side and smote the lin
that uttered such sweet fattery.
A step sounded on the gravel walk snt
Ralston approached.
Editba's eyes frightened, but the othei
woman looked demurely down. Still Hugh
noticed that covert glances shot from tbs
hazel eyes and the widows tones took OF
a soft accent when she spoke to Ralston
Editba arose at last and drew her scar
closer.
81 am tired" she said mo, 10 moi
come with me; it is pleasanter here than in
the house and am going to my room.
She moved slowly away ard Marie Corel
turned to Ralston with pathetic shake Of
her head.
''She is a delicate flower,f she said sadly
"You think she is worse" asked Rals;on,
quickly.
"Ahl | cannot say-it battles me-" she
answered 'Is it not strsnge-E Editha, with
all her golden prospects. loving and beloved
victim 10 some subtle malady-I, alone
and friendless, Indifferent TO life itself, SC
strong and hardyP Fate is perverser'
She looked down with a sigh and loosely
clasped her little hands.
"You are melancholy" said Ralston,
alphabetically. You cannot tell whal
the future may hold for YOU"
I bauo hnv,a 20 not l,t ko 80 "a
with shade of sadness on her brilliant
face. "But this is depressing, my friend
and does not interest you."
"You mistake; am interested In you.'
said Ralston in low tones.
Hugh started, as If unaware of his pres
ence or rather forgetful, his brother glanced
up quickly. He saw only retreating figure.
That night Editha slept peacefully; that
night Marie Corell arose, and In her trail.
ing peignoir Of creamy hue, her feet epcased
in slippers that made no sound on the soft
carpet she crept to the stand where a caraft
of water stood; one hand was suspended
over the liquid and something sifted from
the slender fingers. In the curtained reces.
beyond the young girl still slumbered; but
another figure than the widows moved
across the dimly-lit room.
AS Marie Corell stepped into her owr
apartment hand fell on her shoulder ant
the door was softly closed behind her.
The cry of fear that rose to her lips sub
sided into gasp as she faced Hugh Var
neckl A burning flush concealed the livit
hue of her face.
"You have-how dare your" she painted
because l know you, Hortense d,
Mer," he answered in low, tense tones
II saw YOU drop the fatal powder into th,
water was on the balcony where wen
to watch you, for suspected foul play
| One victim is not enough-vou would xii
an innocent girl that you might win he
lover. You are an adept in the use of SLOW
poisons, Madame De Merr'
| "How do you know of me?' she gasped
too frightened to attempt denial. Per
haps she realized the nature OF the MAJ
with whom she must deal, and knew tha
| he was not TO be cheated.
81 was in Paris when you were tried 70
the murder of your husband, / remembe
YOUR false face, your treacherous tones.
was friend of DIR. Langley, and he kne,
more of your history than any one else
You were beautiful and a coHsummat
actress; yeu escaped the clutches of the la,
by some strange chance, but YOU WEI
guilty. Now you would try the power {
your fiendish skill again, but am in tb
way, l shall unmask yor."
The woman stood looking at him with
yellow gleam in her eyes. She had lost th
game. Edtba would live and Ralsto
would know her as she was-that was th
bitterest thought of all.
81 did it because loved him." she nlu
tered. II would have won him. hut no.
-"
Tomorrow you viii leave the place.
will tell them your story when you al
gone" said Hugh.
"Ah, you will spare me their contumel
YOU are kind" she said with a ghastl
smile. "Good night"
She opened the door and passed out. br
he did not leave the corridor that nigh
Perhaps he feared that The woman woul
wreak her vengeance on hapless Editha
But all was still within the two spar
ments. In the morning Editha came dow
with a pale face.
"It is so strange" she said. MADAM
Corell is always about ere l wake. but tn
morning have not seen her, and her doc
is locked. called her, but in vain som
thing must be the matter"
"She has hedr' thought Hugh; but /
was mistaken.
} They found her still in her loose rob-
stretched upon the floor, desperate loo
: on the white face. vial ciutched in el
rigid hand.
"Poisonedr' whispered Mrs. Darcour
who had found her there and startled the
S with her cries. "This is terrible-wh
e could have been her motive?r
!, Hugh looked down at the set featur
from which all brilliancy and beauty hi
e fed-dd those pale lips seem TO frame a
appealP He turned away with shudde
t ami his countenance softened.
e "He shall never know--her secret Is
/. sealed page" he said, in low tones.
J. They never heard of the story Of HC
9 tense De Bar.
n HUSBANDS AND HUSBANDS.
q A-..s.,,. AFotba. UhatS nnty a man