Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-03-11

that nothing could change his love for
me. One look at you did it. | knew
that I was plain, and that you were
beautiful; did not blame him. For
some time / had feared that he had
given thought to my wealth when he
offered his hand, and | as you know,
bore no malice. / had more heartache
Bella, / could forgive him for deceiving
me. but not for his conduct to you.
You were his wife"
Could | wonder that she felt as she
did. even though it angered me
I spoke more coldly to Esther for
awhile. but surely she was to be tor
given. :,
1t was after we had been reconciled
with tears and kisses that she showed
me an ebony box that always stood on
stand near her bed. A curious thing,
brass bound and well fastened, perhaps
half yard square.
On little brass plate let into the side
something was engraved. She babe me
read it. The words were these:
FOR BELLA ORME,
Wife of Edwin Hunt.
To be given to her after my death.
"When L am gone, open 1t, 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 lever die of broken hearts"
"You forget that my heart was broken
before yours was" Esther answered,
with a strange laugh. Besides, you
are ten years younger than |, and more
robust"
That night lay thinking of what she
had said, so that | could not sleep or
of n
they were all right about Edwin
and l wrong / had heard her say a
word or two which made me fear that
she knew something of this Spanish
girl of whom they spoke, and Iresolved
TO question her.
But the next day passed without my
having the courage to speak as de-
sired, and only when night came did l
nerve myself to 90 to her room, think
ing that in the silence and darkness L
could better endure what | might have
to bear.
l crept in softly after 1 thought she
had retired, but she was not there. L
lay down on a 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.
lamp 1t Illuminated the spot where
she stood near the bed, but lett the cor
ner where lay in darkness.
| could see her therefore, but she
could not see me. And as | watched
her face terror possessed me that
kept me dumb and motioness.
Her pale, withered, stern-looking
face had changed to the face of an in
furiated demon; her eyes blazed
with a chilly light. She had taken
from her watch-chain a curious key
which she always wore there, and I'M
locked the ebony box which she had
spoken of so singularly. Now she was
bending over it looking at something
that lay there.
"Good-nigh she said. 81 wonder
what Bella will say when she first sees
you? Will she scream and faint? Will
she die F.?
ooh. little rocked you of your fate,
traitor, when you Tilted me tor her fair
face. | punished you long ago. | pun
ish her every day. | see her misery
daily. Oh, if i could but see her when
she first lifts the lid of this box and
looks at you! All, traitor traitor 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 | must leave
her house at once; but first | must see
what she had there. Some portrait of
my husband, no doubt; proof perhaps,
that he was false to both of us. Oh, L
must see what it was. Softly l crept
forward, the velvet carpet smotherlng
the sound of my footsteps. | came
close behind her, and peeped over her
shoulder, and saw
The box open, lined with white satin,
like a coffin, and on the pillow sew
cred head, preserved or embalmed in
some manner, so that the face seemed
like that oil one asleep--the head and face
of my husband, Edwin Hunt, and as l
saw it [ knew that she had slain him.
'Murderess - l shrieked, and seized
her arm. She turned and clutched me
by the throat, and held me SO.
"Look ~ she said. Look, pitiful,
pretty face, look You thought that
you had stolen him, and all the while
he was mine, mine, mine 1swore he
should never kiss you on you bridal
night. | wiled him to me by a note,
telling him of a gift I wished to send
you. I offered him poisoned wine.
He drank it to my health. For the rest
money will buy men to do anything.
'sYou see him, you see him lying
there. | feast my eyes upon you.
When | have enjoyed myself enough,
you too shall die, serpent that L cher
ished that you might turn and sting
me-"
But my scream had aroused the house.
There were steps on the stairs. The
door was burst open.
When I had recovered from the
swoon into which | fell, they told me
that she was dead; vial in her bosom
had saved her from the gallows. But
as for me, l still live, awaiting anxious
ly the release that Heaven gives one
day to all who sorrow and are heavy
laden.--Mary Kyle Dallas, IN the Story
Teller.
The Lady CcIcketecS.