The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-06-01
prove fatal to me. But look what a
beautiful camelia 20


beautiful camelia !"
We entered the conservatory, and
l closed the door behind us. We
were alone; the family audible
sounds of the orchestra in the ball
room alone broke the stiffness. Yet
L could not speak; in silence l walk
ed beside her as she surveyed the
rare plants that surrounded us, or
bent to inhale their fragrance. At
last she turned toward me and said {:
"Let US return to the ball room,
Mr.. Graves 1 am engaged to Mr..
Chester for the next DANCE"
The words maddened me; I.seized
the handle Of the door, and in tone
of passionate vehemence cried:
"You shall not leave this place un-
til you have heard me. Miss Lee! l
have long sought an opportunity of
telling you how wildIy-4-iove5 you.o
"You are too violent, Mr.. Graves"
she said at last. "Let me pass, SIR"
"YOu will not hear me? Then
you love another!" I cried despair
ingly.
"Open that door and let me pass"
was her only answer.
"Do you love Mr.. Chester ?"
She surveyed me calmly and coIdly.
you've no right to ask me such a
question, and l refuse to answer"
was her reply, as she turned awav
from me with flushed cheeks and
flashing eyes.
l must indeed have been mad to
act as did then. l caught her by
the waist, and drawing her to the
side of the conservatory, with one
blow l shivered to atoms several of
its panes. The breath of that fearful
winter night poured in upon her
shrinking form in her gOssamer
robes, and, strong man though | was.
| gasped for breath as the icy blast
swept past me.
"YOu have said that the winter
wind was fatal to yOu," l shrieked
savagely, "Will you not answer
now ."
She did not struggle to release her.
self from my frenzied grasp, but,
drawing herself up to her full height,
turned on me her beautiful eyes,
blazing with indignation and disdain.
For one instant she stood thus the
next, short. sharp spasm shook her
frame, and she fell forward. a stream
of blood pouring from her lips and
deluging her white dress with its
fearful crimson. Wild with terror
and remorse 1 caught her in my
arms.
laura !! Aura !" l shrieKed.
But there was no answer. Slowly
and YEARLY her white eyelids drop.
ped over her brown eyes, and she lay
in my arms apparently lifeless. /
raised her gently and bore her back
into the still deserted reception room
From the distant ball room came the
wailing sounds Of a waltz, and the
melody sounded to my excited fancy
like the moan of departing spirit.
Laying my fair burden on the sofa, l
bent anxiously over her. l laid my
hand on her heart. All was still.
II have murdered her !" l cried.
"help help !"
"Will the gentleman please to let
me put out the lights ?" said a voice
at my elbow.
II started up and found myself on
the sofa in the little reception room.
Miss Lee had disappeared, the cold
gray dawn was struggling through
the curtains. and before me stood a
colored man. grinning from ear to
ear.
"Where is Miss Lee 2" 1 asked.
"Gone long ago, sir. 'Spect you've
been asleep"
Thank heaven, it was all drem !!
When l reached home l went to
the closet where l kept the medicine
l was in the habit of taking. The
bottle was undisturbed, and beside
the spoon was another phial, the one
from which / had in mistake poured
the dose the night before. 1 took it
up and read upon the label, "Solu-
ton of Morphia."
And Aura? Well. she has been
my wife for many happy years.
The following is little girls essay
IN tho oOw ga anU ia on anina |