The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-02-14

Il Oo0OAlS AO4 LIZ. SO0&08DO3
"No," hc answered. but while Brenda
started back in despair q this u,swel.
come reply he put forth hfs hand with
. slight, unmistakabJe motion. Brenda
at onco seized the hand between both her
own and sank down 1T his sile.
She perceived. the next instant that he
was more IN than she had ever seen him
Across Brendas shorlder h Locked at
his wife. ''ag
Natalie" he sid, ii xvoice that was
husky, end yet contained = ring Of COM
nsand, II wish 10 speak few words
with my sister. You yourself can 20
and tell them that the bell which heard
Brenda ring need not be answered. Do
you understand mes Ihope that YOU do. -
Those last two brief sen fences had not
q sign Of menace, and yet there was
something in their low emphasis that
made tho color slip from Natalie's cheeks.
Dear Louis" she broke forth no
ment aftcrwsrd, however in tender,
persuasive tones, ''you had best not
talk with any one this evening! To-
morrow
DO as desire you," Louis inter-
rupted~ His voice was not much above
whisper. but Brenda recoiled from
him ashc heard it, so ualike his usual
self dh1 II seem, 20 compelling, 30 COM
n1andant, and yet 80 terribly tranquil.
Natalie went to one Of the doors and
slowly opened it. She disappeared slow
~, too, as If some magnetic form were
insiettne upon the exit 80
Louis hand trembled little now in
Brends's hold. But soon it lay there
quite stM again. He prcseatly spoke, but
as II with intentional csutton against
possible listener. Brenda, leaning for
ward 50 that his breath almost swept
her cheen, was just able to hear each
word as it fell from his pale and slightly
twitching lips.
my sister-1 have wrongcd you very
much: Yes-Isee this-now, when death
has laid hold Of me and there may be
only . few hours left me to live. Brenda
don't start like that-it is nothing, this
change We call death. But to die a. I
am dying IL an exquisite comfort.
would not live on, Brenda, for an empire.
Ny part Of life is done-utterly done. I
have loved that woman, Natalie L,eve-
ridge, with an immense passion, an i'm
mense constancy. What forced her to
tell me the other evening there is no need
OF my telling you. You are mere girl;
you could not avenge me. But all has
grown clear to me, and know beyond
doubt that some one else will"
''Some one else? Oh, Louis"-
Hush, Brenda. You see how weak
am. My brain seems to swim now. There
is paper here in my breast pocket.
Reach up your hand. Take it and hide
It as though your own life depended on
its jealous concealment. Have you found
It, Brenday
eyes, Louis, yes"
"Have you hidden it?'
"Yes-yes."
Now, remember. When l am laid
In my coffin-not until then-get a
chance to place it against my heart Just
as you found it placed a minute ago.
Don't let her see you. But Gerald will
come; nc will come the day Of the fu-
neral, even if something should delay
him from the funeral itself. And then
as soon as y'u and he shall meet tell him
where you put the paper. Will you
swear to me, Brenda, that you will carry
out this wish of miner
Eyes, Louis. I will swear with nv
whole soul! Butt
1.-The paper is sealed close, as YOU will
see, and bears no inscription. It is some
thing wrote yesterday. have been in
fearfnl suffering for hours past, bat 1
have guarded this even from her. And
don't gricve much for me, Brenda. I'm
n thousandfold happier at going than
staying. TO hive now would only be one
prolonged anguish. Some day l think
that Gerald will make everything clear
to you. He will find out. Never mind
how. He can't tell You yet, even if You
ask him. He will simply listen to YOU
when You tell him what you have done"
Perhaps Louis might have gone on
speaking in his faint, yet clear heard
'oice, if the door had not now been sud-
lcnly opened and Natalie had not swept
INTO tho room.
BRENDA at once realized that she had
r1ed to listen and failed. The girl rose
rom her brothers couch, still holding
rs hand and facing the intruder.
Nasalie at once spoke. before Brenda
ad time to do so. my place is here at
ny husbands side, and here l shall re-
1ain," she said.
"Oh, know why you came in like
hat! now broke from Brenda. lyon
'ere afraid to let us be alone together!
on were afraid of something he might
ell ,ne!'
Natalie bit her lips, and shot such {
ook at her husbands sister as might
ave fl.SLcu from TIN o,,a. Of N aA,.;l.; <