The Opelousas courier., 1889-01-26

She could drown herself, but then
her body would go floating down the
river to the sea, and the drowned peo-
pie looked even worse than strangled
ones.
She was too much afraid of firearms to
shoot herself, even in this strait.
She would take poison.
Yes, that would be best; and, though
she would never see Tom again, ne
would see her, and remorse would sting
him.
Here she made a great mistake.
A man who is coolly ~treacherous to
women never has any remorse.
Remorse in love affairs is a purely
feminine quality, and even the worst Of
the sex are u SsHhhout it.
However, it is natural to believe that
remorse is possible to a man whom n
has heretofore believed to be an angelin
human form, and Eve took a little mis-
rable comfort in the thought that TdAn
would kneel beside her coffin, and burst
into tears and passionate EXPLANATIONS
of regret, which she, perhaps, might see
from some spiritual post of observation.
So, having put on a hat and a thick
veil. Eve betook herself down the street
and around the corner to the nearest
druggi>t.
The druggist was an old man, a be-
nevolent-lookiag one, with red checks
and a smiling mouth; and when she
asked for ''poison for rats" he said,
$50" and beamed mildly upon her.
II want it very strong" said Eve.
tsor' said the druggist.
'sBut not to give more pain than is
necessary" said Eve.
s'To the ratsa" asked the druggist.
Eyes," said Eve, ''of course; and it
must be quick and not make ~oneeplack
in the face"
.ssoi" said the druggist, slowly.
"Well, what shall l give you that will
not make a rat black in the faceq'
And with a grave countenance ne
compounded a powder and handed it
across the counter.
Eve took it, paid the few pence he
asked and walked away.
Once home, she went directly to her
room and retired to bed, taking the
powder with her.
Once or twice she tasted it with the
tip of her tongue, hoping it was not very
disagreeable.
Then finding it sweet, she bravely
swallowed it.
at is over" she said. 80 Heaven,
forgive me, and forgive Tom"
And then she laid herself down upon
her pillow.
Just as she did SO, the familiar sound
Of q latchkey in the door below startled
her.
Tom never came home at noon-but
there he wa now.
No ore else but Tom could walk in in
that cool way.
And now he was calling her.
"Eye, Eve, Eve! Where are you'll
Never before had she refused to
answer that voice.
WIZ bad hn-co,,o %o kor4r,aa has d1;p-
moments2
Harki
Now he was bounding up stairs.
He was in the ro9m.
what is the matter-are you ill,
Eve2" he cried.
NO." said she family; "only tired. "
"Ah, you look tired, little one, said
he. Il came home to get the overcost.
I suppose you have found out by this
time that that in the hall is not mine.
wore Johnson's overcoat home from
the Office last night by mistake, and he
is anxious about it. He asked il there
was any one in the house Who would be
apt to meddIe with papers or anything
in the pockets. said I thought Aot
hadn't a jealous wife-eha Why,
what's the matter, Eve2'
aOh, Tom" cried Eve. Historically
cob, Tom, say it again. It was MOI
your coat2 oh, Tom, kiss me-
What is the matter, Evep cried
Tom. You must be illi'
Then Eve remembered all
aOh, I am a wicked woman, Toni
she cried. There VIE letters in tn,
pocket--lovc-letters. I read them
thought you false to NELL tool
poison, Tom--Tm going to die and
long to live sol Oh, Tom, save me"
eyes, yesr' cried Tom. "oh, goo'
heavenl what poisona
tsMr. Hoffman will know. Ibough
it Of him. Perhaps he can save M,
cried Eve, in piteous tones.
And away went Tom, white as death
to the druggist around the corner.
He burst into the shop something lik
a whirlwi d
ssThe LADY," he gasped, s'the lad
who bought poison here an hour ago.
she took it by mistake! Can you saw
her--have you an antidotea She ]
DYING
NO, no. said the old man; %