Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-10-23
AGhanMhMn Frederick County, Maryland IhudN October "a l890

fJllO nav ooNSi o. iihihS W. o'AN wv AAo''S
French maid so short a time in her SER
vice before she had been arrested for
the theft of the Vassar necklace. Even
now, with every proof Of her guilt, she
could not, apparently, convict in her
own mind or appease in her regrets.
II think you are morbid,' said Leslie
Radetsky, quietly. "What Is to preyent
people from getting their deserts in this
world ?"
GLOW cruel you look when YOU say
that!" exclaimed Miss Vassar with
note of pain IN her voice.
"Well, some one who knew something
Of phraseology, physognomy-all the
rest of it-toId me once that | was cruel.
Cruel, unscrupulous.' added the girl
with a smile. "Unscrupulous when |
had an end to gam
Don't say those things" exclaimed
her friend, as before. "You are always
saying them lAtterly. Why?"
"Ah, why, why:' cried the gml with
IL shrug of her beautiful shoulders.
Was she really changed che asked
herself little later us she went down
IN the wide grounds. She had slipped
on thick jacket and walked with q
rapid step over the frozen snow. The
winter day was breathless and CLEAR
The icy stiffness seemed to cool her head
and hands. Oh, this feverlshncss that
woald not 60 out of her veins But,
outwardly, was she not perfectly calm !!
She had grown hard. OF course. Hard.
bitter, reckless all the rest of it. She
gave a low laugh in the silence of the
empty, leaAess alleys. How could one
help that: 1t was either to do that or
to 90 mad, perhaps !
She stopped abruptly with q light
trembling Of the limbs. She had heard
an approaching step. 1t was Louis.
He had left his trap at the gate and
was walking up through the grounds
to the house.
II thought | should meet you here"
he said. His voice shook and his pallor
struck through all her bowilderment
with sort of terror. Did you know
that that woman has been sentenced to
ten years-ten years-lmprlsonment? p
"Yes, know.
"Goi in heaven, and you say that so
quietly ? What are you made Of? ~ His
eyes hung upon her with a species Of
revolving curiosity.
II am made Of stuff that can face the
consequences Of its actlons," she said in
Il low voice. THAT does not shrink and
shrivel like poor coward like you
"If l have lost my soul, tits because
of you."' cried the man as one dis
traught.
did | make you forge a check to
save yourself from bankruptcy: Did l
make you, when the crime was Oh the
eve of discovery, throw yourself on my
mercy and ask me to help you? How
was l to help? Was not I as poor as
you did what | could. Icommitted
crime IN my turn to saye you. 10
allow you, scott free, to marry Il rich
woman who loved you. To allow you
to cast anchor in Il safe har5or for the
rest of your days.
"And the cr,me you committed con.
demns me as it does you," be cried with
a shaky voice. "'The first weakening
of my conscience came through you as
we'll, though you may deny it. Who
was it urged NE to speculate, urged me
to strain out Of my obcurlty ? Who was
it nattered my vanity into thinking that
| Was, intended Tor the brilliant tri-
umphs Of life ? You You have been an
evil star to me. A milestone hung
around my neck. That my eyes might
never rest on you again would be WISH
too intense for realization -
He had gone from her and at last she
saw him as he was. This coward, this
weakling, too plant to resist tempta-
ton, too nervous to abide by his mis-
deeds. was the creature she loved with
blind alteration all her life, who scar
cely year younger than herself had
been almost as Il son and q brother IN
one. And was there a nearer love still
and dearer loye yet, so deep. hidden IN
the secret recesses of consciousness that
even the heart that harbored it had not
recognized its presence?
1t was all over now. There was one
thing left alone, and that was ever
friendly.
She went back in the house and
wrote two letters. One was addressed
to Helen Vassar. 1t accused her, Les
lie Radstsky, Of the thrt Of the Vassar
diamonds. She wanted the money Tor