The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-07
under THEC CLOUD.

p.thy for fear. vas encouraged TODD her
worst
Don't touch me, murderessi" she
..hIssed between her clinched teeth, IN
/. stiI light Of gratified malice cleaning in
her eyes.
Elaine tried 10 speak, but could not
Il was Severn Who came and stood beside
her 10 refute the accusation.
. You are utteripg wicked libel, and
gou know Il, he declared, sternly.
Mr. Levison fastened TO inteFpose.
alt Is not necessary that Miss Wards
should Be defended from such > charge
. be sid, grnvely.
/. n you won't listen, there are others
that will III move heaven and earth
before III allow that unjust win 70
stand tell you that three years ago
Miss Warde, as you call her, or Elaine
Warrington, as she was known then,
Ned from Sydney because she could not
prove her innocence Of what accuse
her off,
She looked like Fury, with her thin
spiteful face, and few locks Of dIngy
gray hair escaping from her bonnet,
! while one arm was extended In vehement
denunciation, and her voice bad risen to
. shrek.
Colonel severn's quiet tones in reply
came az . relief to all
She can prove II now. Mr.. Levison,
may request your perusal Of this Pr
handing the same paper that Mrs. Priolo
had seen in Elaine's hand two days be-
fore, and telegraphic envelope as well.
It is unnecessary quite unnecessary,
] assure you" protested the lawyer.
This Is raving madness nothing less. "
" Unfortunately It has foundation Of
truth. The fact IL correct that three
years ago Elaine Warrington, my prom
ised wife, escaped from Sydney because
she could not defend herself from the
charge Of having murdered her own sis
ter; but since the real murderer has
confessed
"Oh, hush--hushi Have you for
gotten your promises r. cried Elaine,
breathlessly.
II am absolved from It by death.
Just as We were starting for the cemetery
this morning telegram was given into
my hand, telling me that Gerald Weare
had been In that railway accident be-
tween London and Dover, and had died
from the effects. He had desired that
the information might be- conveyed
Immediately to me. Poor fellow, il
was happy deliverance for him; and,
Elaine, IT Is . deliverance for you'll II
have given these papers into Mr.. Levi
sons hand 50 that he may communicate
with the police at Sydney and the mys-
terry Of your sisters murder may be
cleared up"
Elaine burst into tears-welcome tears
that eased her heart and came as q pas
donate relief after the anxious strain Of
% many weary months. Severn, with
his arm around her waist, soothed her
- best he could.
Mr.. Levison, with his back toward
them, rapidly ran through the papers In
trusted TO his care, while Mrs. PrioIo
eagerly scanned his face to see II all hope
was gone. His expression OF absolute
satisfaction showed that 1t was indeed 50
that, well and warily az she played her
cards, she had by unforeseen chances
missed success. Honesty in this case
would have been the best and most pay.
kng policy.
Mr.. Levison shook hands with Colonel
Severn and Elaine, congratulating them
heartily. and promising them speedy
settlement Of the affairs. As he left the
room Mrs. Priolo also rose to go, feel
ing that nothing could be gained by
remaining.
George" whispered Elaine, " she is
nearly penniless, am afraid"
. She deserves to be so,n muttered the
colonel. angrily; but, obedient to her
wish, which he guessed Instinctively, he
called the woman back.
She turned and faced him defiantly,
expecting rebuke.
Miss Warrington does not desire
that you should go entirely unrewarded
for your services, though you forfeited
all gratitude from Mr.. Bowyer by your
cowardly desertionI OF him in the hour OF
danger, and certainly deserve no con-
sideration from herself. To keep you
from actual want she will allow, you an
annuity OF two hundred year; and that
will do away with the necessity OF SEEK
ing any other employment, and erhaps
working to others the harm you have
worked here"
e am sure, sir, from whatever motive
given. / am grateful for your help; and
/ wish you and Miss Elaine every happi-
ness and"
THAT will do-that viii do" inter-
rupted Severn, feeling that blessings
from such source might have an evil
effect.
With bland expression such as she
could assume when 1t suited her purpose
TO be concifatory, and with low re-
spect I'll courtesy, Mrs. Priolo withdrew;
and with her went the last shadow Of
Elains's life. The future would be all
Joy, all peace, with only those minor
troubles which serve TO accentuata the
happiness they can not disturb.
Oftener it seems that the greater the
pain, the sweeter and fuller Is the com
pensation-