Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-01-09

toy with it. Some people rattle,
enjoy seeing how near destruction
they can go and yet not quite fall in
to it.
So Frank fingered.
Agnes was now more charming than
usual. She dressed always with good
taste, but he had never seen her look
so we'll in anything as she did in the
soft black silk which left her arms
and shoulders bare and white as
pearl. And the hah-blown damask
rose in her dark hair was no more
vivid than were her cheeks Warmed
to fever heat by the subtle sweetness
OF his presence, all those who have
loved will understand the charm
which kept Frank a prisoner beneath
her smiles-for those who have never
loved | am not writing.
She rose to get an engraving of
which she had spoken to him from the
table. She wore a guaze scarf, and in
aivertently Il corner OF it %as swayed
by the motion Of her arm into the
blaze OF the taper.
Franks love magnifed her danger.
He sprang toward her with a low
cry OF horror, tore of the blazing
scarf, and folded her in his arms.
Her forehead, with its .curls OF hair
soft as floss silk, touched his lips.
Before he knew what he was doing he
was kissing the white forehead-kiss-
ing the sweet scarlet lips, and crying
out from the depths OF his heart
"Oh, my darling, my darling |
love you"
Sine chung to him-he was sure of
that, and Heaven knows how he
would have gone on, but JUST then
there was step in the hall and Frank
turned his head Just in time to see
Bertha Stanhopc's azure dress steal
ing softly after her up the broad
staircase He felt sure that she had
witnessed the whole scene; but be
would not pam Agnes by telling her
He went away abruptly-he would
call agai.i the next evening, he said at
leaving.
That night Bertha Stanhope did not
sleep, All night long she sat in a
chair by the window and thought.
But in the morning she was down to
Notwithstanding and fresh as ever
Agnes thought she had never seen her
eyes so bright and her cheeks so fine
with color
After the meal was over she asked
4 Agnes TO walk 1t was such a splendid
morning and, she said they should
4 enjoy it immensely.
! Agnes assented Bertha chose the
path They would 90 down TO eagle
! CliH-the great headIand which over.
| hung the sea just beyond the harbor
| Teal followed them-invited to do
so by a gesture OF HE mistress.
| Agnes stood very near the edge OF
the precipice, and looked over, shud-
1 derng
What fearful depth 1t would
be death to fall over there" she said,
drawing back. and glancirg up for
| Bertha's answer she saw that the
/ girl face was Iivid, and that she was
/ shaking like one in a fit.
Still her will was steady
Teal, she said concentrating hei
gaze on the dog this girl has wronged
| Your mistress. Cast her over the cliff
AS she spoke she pointed downward,
and the great beast understood her at
once.
He sprang toward Agnes with greedy
eyes, and seized her by theshouider.
oh mercy mercy, cried the poor
| little victim. Bertha, for God 5 sake
do not let him kill me thus"
And still Bertha pointed downward,
and added in the same hoarse voice:
Teal, obey mel
The dog renewed his hold, and
dragged the helpless girl forward
and simultaneously the sharp report
OF rifle rang through the air and
Teal leaped upward-his hot blood
/ squirting in the face OF Agnes. He ut
tered one wall, terrible in its dread
pain and despair, and tumbled help
! lessry over the cliff.
my Godn said Bertha, u am lost"
Frank Tremaine parted the foliage
close by and rifle in hand emerged up
on the scene.
do your worst Bertha said def.
antly
He folded his arms and looked at
her, sorrow and pity on his counte-
nance. Then he turned to Agnes.
Love and despair, but love, beautiful
and triumphant, over all.
Bertha saw and understood. She
| glanced up at the sky above. and
down at the terrible abyss below. All
fear and indecision went out OF her
face
Agnes, she SAID. forgive me the
wrong | meant to do. And thus |
make you recompense-yon and him.
One moment she stood on the verge
OF the precipice, the next she vanished
from the sight OF the two Mortified
beholders; and they did not dare look
over.
Well, after the grass had grown
green two years over Bertha Stan
hopes grave Frank Tremaine and
Agnes were married.
1t has been a happy union, but
cannot help thinking that there is a
shadow over their lives when they re-
member Bertha's tragic end
Curious Story OF Picture.
There is a very curious story con.
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