Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-09-27

rcmembeI-EpOh TIE DICK OF my leu
ter:''
He laughed outright, called me fool
ish woman and told me that must not
cling to superstitions.
"a strange trait, that, with the Swe-
dish people," he added. They swear
by signs. Why, upon my word, Cesca,
if you 80 On like this you will be telling
Us that you see some Of those funny lit
tie men popping out Of the rocks yonder,
akin to those that your Swedish peasants
declare dwell IN the forest. And while
| think about it, Rip Van Wrinkles little
snomes lid use to play at tenpins not
far up the river-over in Sleepy Hollow.
you know" he tested.
He had no sooner spoken than Il huge,
thick cloud flung its black mantel over
the face of the sun. The wind arose,
higher, madden, faster. The waters of the
Hudson rose and pranced and stood up
right A great, roaring noise of threat
and chaos flied the air, deafeninS III its
force The waters below dashed and
foamed. Small sails were picked up,
tossed and hurled shoreward.
The outing parties made for the shell
ter of cafes and the village near by.
Confusion reigned. The SKY grew dark
black The imp5 Of evil seemed to rise
out of the very earth beneath our
feet. Agents OF fury and warning dan
gled from the sky. A brilliant flash OF
lightning crossed the scene, quickly
followed by q crash Of thunder.S | chung
to Irene, who was quazing with fright.
The flash had told me that Ivan was
deathly pale.
TOO late to move now!" was all that
he could say.
But it is hardly upon Us. We might
reach the nearest cafe. Besides, this
tree is q dangerous conductor" | pro-
tested
The whole scene is shrouded," he
whispered. I'VE are as safe here as any
where"
Another flash came! IN the direction
OF the bushes to the west l noticed a
figure stealing toward us--a woman.
Look! She has lost her way. Come
nearer to me-closer, Ivan, closer!
fear! l trem5le!" I cried as he clasped
me in his arms. But the wornan only
Quickened her pace, which we discov-
cred by the frequent flashes Of light.
Faster and faster she ran toward us.
Irene, becoming inconsolable, rushed OF
to the nearest cafe.
The woman was now upon us! For
an instant a bright fash illuminated the
spot. l looked; l saw a face.
Great God! Vera!
'Iyan" | cried do you see! A
spirit! Her spectre! Veras ghostw
The man stroye to speak. His tongue
was dashed to the roof Of his mouth. He
moyed-confronted her, the phantom
like figure, as daredevil might face
harbinger of death!
''At lastW the woman cried.
Vera" screamed Ivan, and fell upon
his knees before her.
at is here that | find you!" she CON
tinued. Il have tracked You many
times, thinking that you were but build
ing our plans as we agreed"
las who agreed" Ivan cried.
you, Ivan Trolsliy. my husband, and
l, Vera, your wife," she-answeredr rs
her hot temper fired her. Eyes, as we
agreed! have crossed your path a score
of times. Under the park tree heard You
plight your troth. In the lovers seat |
have heard your passionate words of
love. | have watched and waited pa
tiently, believing that you but schemad
as we had promised. But now you have
gone too far. Your words are no longer
empty sounds. Yen love that girl! All,
deny it not Trust 10 a woman's eyes to
read the perfdy in mans heart!"
Vera" he protested, asI crept further
into the shade to miss the flash of her
temper.
"Out upon itr' she exclaimed. THE
farce has gone far enough! You would
have made it tragedy On, l know! The
girls failing health but few weeks
back, her discovery Of her weakness,
your attempts to poison her 1t is too
true! And where is the stranger You
found faiuting in the street? Olef-where
is he:'
God! Clefv' l screamed, as the fright
full truth all darted to my brain. The
stranger, the accident, the hospitaly"
q bent my tortured heart to listen.
where is he:'' she repeated You
have told me in your letters-the forci-
bic detention Of Olef at your friends
house-now confess it! And the Sc
curities that you stole from his bag and
sent to me! All! you would-would have
killed the girl for her fortune, as we
agreed! But Your heart, even blacker than
mine, turned false to your wife! You
r11iI,a6 tho ,,lrt ,-C,,r
ousy drives me to confess it! You loved
her! | am here to avenge the wrong!
You would have wrought Il tragedy-till
your mind turned topsy-turyy, and then
you would have wed the girl, deceiving
her into the belief that l was dead!
But now it is my turn! We will end it
here! Aye, and with tragedy indeed!
Now pay for your sinsT' And with the
stout arms OF a maniac Vera bound him
in his tracks; then with giant force she
pushed him to the cliff. Ny heart stood
still! The ground whirled!
AT last Ivan found his speech.
Woman! what would Won do?" and
he struggled with her as one of his feet
slipped over the rock He was fallingl
"Vera!' he gasped.
mo words, man! Over, I say" And
az she gathered strength to force him
down he clutched bush. Your false
lying tongue shall deceive no more!
Down"
'Stop!' rang out voice, and to VANS
aid came q strong arm, dragging him
back to the green turf, where he lay ex-
hausted and spcechless.
The denca c1nudS buno, haov;ar