The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-02-05

1 L HI III " i4f " IeOD.
| 1t was an August afternoon. The
! scorching ravs of a Southern sun icll
upon an old, vet stately mansion in
| Louisiana. 1t stood some distance
/ from the sea coast, in wilderness OF
| tropical shrubbery and in utter isola-
ton from the world. The ground up
| on which the house was situated was
| incloscd by a stone fence. ovcrgrown
| here and there by clusters of IVY whose
green leaves formed Il pleasing con-
! trast 10 the slate-colored stones. With
| in the inclosurc. beneath the cooling
| shade which numerous trees afforded,
a man of so and a young and singu-
larly lovely girl paced to and fro.
Hubert. this shrub is called the
'Diyining Rod and possesses wonder
ful properties. The leaf hold in my
hand, ii bruised and dissolved in water
and drank. will cause trance-a
death-like stupor-lasting for hours.
An old negresS of Mrs. Flournev's told
extent, experienced its marvellous pow
er. Is it not interestingly
Hubert Adare listened in speechless
astonishment Taking the leaf from
her he examined it curously, still si-
lent.
Irene said he, almost in a whis-
per. 'arc you convinced of the truth of
what you say?"
Quite"
Then it is destined to help us out of
difficulty"
She gazed at him wonderingly.
Il allude to my approaching mar
riage."
ooh. please don't let us discuss that
subject" said she, growing pale.
"Wby?n
Because it's fixed. Because Flora
will nave become your wife ere this
time tomorrow. Because it is treason
TO her to speal, of it as You would"
Irene" said he, so passionately that
she shrank back in positive terror
Irene, it remains for you to say
whether or not that marriage shall
take place"
Irene Rivers still grew paIer; she
tremblcd violently and graSped the
nearest tree for support.
Why shoui! l?' she gasped.
Because love YOU"
He slipped his arm around her waist
rs he spoke and drew her TO him; he
would have kissed her, Gut her head
sank upon hi5 shoulder and she burst
into tears. Bd;, listening to his COM
forting words. she soon grew calm.
She said: Hubert, why do you speak
thus? loa know as we'll as | that it
is worse taan foll.- TO do so. You
l.,
that tic grim Phantom. poverty. viii
keep Us apart forever on earth. No,
moi Iou aCu pied gel to Flora and YOU
must fulfill yoar promise by making
her your wife. The benefits derived
from the marriage viii enable YOU to
realize your graad4St dreams achieve
a reputation honorei among men.
have marked out my destiny. / pro-
pose to enter St. GATHERINGS convent
at New Orleans. Within It's peaceful
walls | hope to fad that happiness
earth can never give"
Irene, YOU shall be mY wife. Lis
tent And in few hurried words he
unfolded plan which, rs its full i'm
port dawnei upon her perceptions al
ternatelv alarmed and surprised the
gentle being 10y his side.
''Wiil You perform the part assigned
you? he added, when all was explain
ed.
Yes. yes. But, oh, Hubert, l trem-
ble for you. Think of the danger!"
Il have thought Of it-haye weighed
everything in the balance of my mind,
and decided. The words you spoke
the revelation you matle-was to me
tic elixir of life. Nothing can pre-
vent me from carrying the plan into
effect. How pale YOU are. irene! and
how YOU tremblc! Think of the future,
darling AMI be brave.'
Very few words will suffice to ex-
plain the relation our different char
aciers sustain To each other. Hubert
Adare. a poor artist, was Mrs. Flour
news nephew. Flora. his aunt's
daughter and his cousin. had been be-
t;othcd To him when child. His
uncle had died years before leaving
in his Will two very important condi-
tons. One WAS that Hubert must
marry Fiera on her twenty-tirst BIRTH
DAY. at which time he was to come iu-
10 possession of so 600 inclusive of
her fortune; the second was that, in
case !it tiiSl ere l!!c uISs WAS cO0Suln-
mated. the money was to descend TO
Irene Rivers, child of distant rela-
tive. an orphan whose home lad been
under Mrs. Journeys roof as far as
her memory extended. Adare visited
the old house yearly. He had come
now. it was supposed, to make Flora
his bride.
They walked hastily homeward. not
word passing between them. both
being too much occupied with their
thoughts. As they parted inside the
wide hall, he said: The instrument
that will accomplish our purpose is
now in my maud. Be prepared, there
fore. to play your part brayely and
well at any time"
Ere she cou}d reply he had passed
into the adjainin" room In it, near
large baywiudow, sat Flora Flouruey.
his bctrothcd wife. She flashed Il keen,
peculiar glance At him rs he approach
ed her.
Hubert where were vou?'
al the 0lr!ea viii, Ireuen