The Wahpeton times., 1891-02-05
bade me read it. The words were
"FoR BELLA ORME
Wife of Edwin Hunt.
To be given to her after my DEATH"

"FOR BELLA ORME
Wife of Edwin Hunt.
To be given to her after my DEATH"
.When l am gone, open it," she
said. "The contents belong to YOU"
"More Of your great Kindness,
know" said l. "But think you will
outlive me, Esther Winthrop, unless
people never die of broken hearts,"
"You forget that my heart was
broken before yours was," she
answered, with q strange laugh.
Besides you are ten years younger
than l, and more robust"
That night ! lay thinking of what
she had said, SO that could not sleep
nor rest. l began at last to believe
that they were all right about Edwin,
and | wrong. had heard her say q
word or two which made me fear that
she knew something of this Spanish
girl Of whom they spoke. and re-
solved to question her.
But the next day passed without
my. having the courage to speak as
desired,a only when night came did
[ nerve myself to go to her room,
thinking that in the silence and dark
ness Icould better hear what might
have to bear.
crept in softly after thought she
had retired, but she was not there. |
lay down on u low lounge, before
which % screen OF golden silk had been
placed, and without intending to do
SO fell asleep.
The closing of the door awakened
me. Esther had entered and was
lighting IL lamp. 1t illuminated the
spot where she stood, near her bed
but left the corner where | lay in
darkness.
[ could sec her, therefore, but she
conld not see me. And as | watched
her face Il terror possessed me that
kept me dumb and motionless.
Her spale, withercd, stern-lookins
face has changed to the countenance
ofan infuriated demon; her eyes blazed
with a chilly light. She had taken
from her watch chain Il curious key,
which she always wore there, and un-
locked the ebony box which she had
spoken OF so singularly. Now she was
bending over it, looking at something
that lay there.
''Good-night,' she said. "I wonder
what Bella will say when she first sees
You? Will she scream and faint?
Will she die?''
ooh, little rcc!scd you of your fate,
traitor. when You Tilted me for her
fair face. ! punished you long ago.
punish her every day. see her mis-
cry daily. Oh, if could but see her
when she first lifts the lid of this box
and looks at you! All, traitor. trai-
tor! but then shall be dead"
What was she speaking to? What
did she stare at with those dreadful
eyes? That she was my enemy now
saw clearly enough, and l must leave
her house at once; but first | must see
what she had there. Some portrait
OF my husband, no doubt; proof, per-
haps, that he was false to both of U.S.
Oh, must see what it was. Softly
crept forward, the velvet carpet
smothering the sound ofmy footsteps.
l came close behind her, and peeped
over her shoulder, and saw-the box
open, lined with white satin, like q
coffin, and on the pillow severed
head, so that thefaceseemed like that
OF one asleep-the head and face OF
my husband, Edwin Hunt, and as
saw it l knew that she had slain him.
"Murdress!' l shrieked, and seized
her arm. She turned and clutched
me by the throat, and held me so.
'l4ook!!" she said. "Look, pitiful,
pretty face, look! You thought that
you had stolen him, and all the while
he was mine, mine, mine! / swore he
should never kiss you OH your bridal
night. | wied him to me by note
telling him of {. gift wished to send
you. / offered him poisoned wine.
He drank it to my health. For the
rest-money will buy men to do any
thing.
"You see him, you see him lying
there. | feast my eyes upon you.
When l have enjoyed myself enough,
you, too. shall die, serpent that
cherished that you might turn and
sting me-"
But my screams had aroused the
house. There were steps on the stairs.
The door was burst open.
When had recovered from thswoon
into which fell, they told me that she
was dead; vial in her bosom had saved
her from the gallows. But as for me,
still live, awaiting anxiously the re-
lease that Heaven gives one day to all
who sorrow and are heavy-laden.-
Mary Kyle Dallas, i'll the Story Tell
er.