The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-05-17

The sound Of a coming football reached hc
ears the patter OF the leaves rustling to tn,
| ground, the cry OF nght-owl seeking Its
prey, all sounded douby loud, doubly terri
flying, to her strained and shaken senses
She turned to the glass, and laid aside hel
kerchicf and cap. and iftod up her arms to
loosen the rippling masses OF her glorious
hair. Her pallor frightened herself.
"He will surely notice it." she said, us her
shaking hands busted themselves in brush.
Ing out the golden clouds that veled her
whole slight form. Suddenly thought
| flushed aero 50 her. She let her hair fall from
her hands, and hurried to the Ghost in the
corner Of the room, which contained her
been that day transported from her old
home.
Hastily tossing away garment after gar
ment, she came at last to small box, which
she opened with trembling hands; she took
tiny vial, containing some colorloss liquid
from this receptacle, and poured some of its
contents into drinking.cup that stood on
the old oak press. Then, from jug OF water
near at hand she filed the cup three part,
full, and placed 1t on her table. "To deceive
him already!' she muttered. "Oh how vile
and wicked seem"
AS tho thought was in her heart, her hus.
band entered. The sight Of that lovely little
apparition, with the rippling hair and bare
white arms, dazzled him, and held him spell.
bound
"Ninette, he murmured passionately, ooh,
say, do dream? is it indeed your Are you
my own, my very own at last?"
The blood rushed over her face, changing
all its pallor and fear to the glowing loveli-
ness of old. "surely yes,". sho said, softly
and stole to his side with the shy timid grace
OF child, and wound her arms around his
neck, and laid her head upon his breast
while his kisses fell In showers upon her
loosened hair and upturned face. And all
the time In her heart she was saying: ''Oh
fhe knew-if he knew"
He knew nothing, cared for nothing, saw or
heard nothing, now save that she was there in
his arms, while the heavy throbs of his heart
beat audibly on the stiffness, and her beauty
cleaned in tho dusky light of the quaint old
chamber with a seductive force that held
him like spell. She drew herself away at
last.
Pierre" she said, laughing and blushing,
II am SO thirsty? Could you bring me a
little wine? There is water here, and cup.'
In an instant he hurried away, returning
almost Immediately with what she desired.
She took the bottle from his hand, and
poured some of its contents into the cup on
the table; then put it to her lips, and seemed
to drink long draught.
'Now, will pour some out for you," she
said, and raised the bottle again, and handed
the replenished cup to him, and smiled on
him while he drank it with o smile that in
toxicated him more than the most potent
draught could have done. He put down the
cup-its was empty. A few moments after,
tho words on his lips, the smile In his eyes,
nll changed to utter stupor. He stretched
his arms out feebly, gropingly rs blind man
might. The girl seized them, and guided him
gently. He threw himself down, and with
found, and breathless, that. it looked almost
like inconsistencies.
Ninette bent over Ii i'm in terror.
Chow quickly it took effect" she said.
"For three hours now am safe. His mother
does not return the servants sleep away from
the house; there is no one to hear or see. Oh,
heaven, give me courage for tho task before
mel We're indeed guilty. could not look
or feel it more than do"
She bound up her fallen tresses, and throw
ing dark cloak round her from head to
foot stolo out of tho room. and out of the
house, and so on to tho riverside Beyond.
ITO be cOntinue2)