The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-08-24


her voice did not falter.
'Do your worst, she said resolutely.
lit il possible for you to destroy my
happiness, but you cannot make me .
traitor to him I love.
Then she took up tho leghorn hat
which lay at her feet, and with bitter
impulse tore from it the wild flowers
with which but brief hour before she
had decorated it, thinking of the hap
piness with. which the good God had
filled her lie, and now the withefing
blossoms were fitting emblems of the
desolation that had come to her.
The next day horriied 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 a single thought"
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 incomprehensible
part of the affair was that the beauti-
full and fondly worshipped wife accused
herself of the murder.
81 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. It was difficult to believe that
her words were aught 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 as 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
1t 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 50 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, II 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 50 unutterably dear to
her.
DAYS passed on. Gerald Marchmont
was not dead, as was at first thought;
but he had continued in a stupor which
so closely resembled death that it had
been considered advisable not to add
to Elsie's agitated state by communi-
eating the truth to her until change
for the better or worse should have
taken place.
Meanwhile she had settled into q
stony calm. Her bright color had
faded away into q 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 keenly, Il have good
news for you. Your husband will
live. He has been insensiblc since his
accident until now; but he has come
to himself, and calls constantly for
you."
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.
'sOh, God, thank Thee! Thou
hast given me more than life! Thou
hast -"
"Quick! Bring water! she has faint
ed"
Before he could reach her. she lay
white as q crushed lily upon the floor;
but peaceful smile fingered around
her delicately-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 painful red rising and coloring
his forehead, ''but it is a subject OF
which 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:
ut is nothing. A mere feeling OF
curiosity"
Gerald looked at him keenly.
doctor May" he said, ''there ia
something on your mind. As you
value the friendship Of q 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. mo matter, "
he continued; ''if it concerns my near.
est and dearest"
His words struck upon his listeners
ears like an electric shock.
.Could it be true, after allP'' he
thought to himself
Then. with sudden resolve to probe
to the bottom of affairs, he responded
to Gerald Marchmont's question.
"As you request it, | will tell you
all. Mrs. Narchmont accused herself,
and-and-she was incarcerated until
the effect of your wounds became
known"
Twas with an eAorthe concluded; fo1
Gerald had started from his reelinine
position, his weakness forgotten. The
veins upon his forehead swelled. He
panted for breath in his anger and ex