The record-union., 1892-07-23

greedy upon its delenseless victim.
Nearer and nearer the fiat mead comes,
moving back and forth with the speed Of
lightning prior to int1icting the fatal
blow. A despairing prayer for mercy
arises to Anthony's pallid lips. InvOl-
UNFAIRLY he closes his eyes to shut out the
fearful sight. An age it seems. And
then the birds cease their twittering to
fly, with whirring wings of startled
fright, as a loud shot rings out. Tho
powder sweeps Anthony's cheek. and 10!
at his feet the long, yellow serpent lays,
the brown leaves scattered and tossed IN
heaps upon each side OF the Q4lVerlng
body. The unsaid prayer now tfembles
upon the young mans lips, his first
prayer since earliest childhood, which
aScendS heavenward, thanking the Most
High for this timely deliverance.
'Did you walk from the station? Your
father left this morning for B. We
did not expect you until tomorrow"
Il preferred to walk"
You are pale-you are tired. Your
father will not return until evening""
Anthony, seated at his stepmother's
right, mods absently.
Drink this" handing him tiny glass
of dark, purple liquid. lit came from
my native country"
He tastes the wine, then drains the
glass at one swallow.
Instantly his whole being is changed.
Former precautions vanish like air.
Wild, uncomfortable, his blood leaps and
ripples through his throbbing veins.
Lalage whispers a word to the staid
attendant, who, bowling low, withdraws,
leaving the two in uninterrupted enjoy
ment.
Anthony moves his chair little nearer
| to that of his stepmother.
IalaUn leans slightly forward and sp-
lects dainty piece of sliced pineapple,
which is piled in towering heap upon
the great crystal dish before her. In do
ing so her beautiful bare arm almost
touches his face. Catching it he carries
1t wildly to his burning lips, pressing
hot, quick kisses upon it.
'Ah, that ringl 1t scorches my mouth"
She leans forward, twning both soft
arms around his neck.
Say the word, love, and it shall be re-
moved forever"
This strange woman possesses a mag
netic influence over him. All honor,
self-respect flee. In an uncomfortable
burst of passion he seizes her, clasping
her yielding form to his breast.
The wine, tingling in his veins, makes
him mad, mad.
Closer and closer she presses against
him, smiling and signing in wild delight
Her eyes-her beautiful eyes! They re-
that afternoon. a feeling of repulsion
sweeps over him. He roughly unclasps
her clinging arms and hurriedIy arises to
his feet.
Lalage regards him wonderingIy. a
crimson flush Of surprised anger mount
ing to the roots of her crisp, bright hair
He places his hand TO his throbbing
temples. The effect of the wine is wear
ing off. The cursed stuff would rob him
of his life and reasOn
Can he live through this torture? This
wild infatuatiOn for his fathers Wife
which, in the four years of his absence,
he had almost dared to hope had been
overcome, outgrown. Yet here it is still
in his heart strong as ever LaIage. with
her terrible beauty and sensuous caresses,
how long can he withstand her? He is
but human.
The only way to escape temptation is
in instant flight.
Thus Anthony unused, an unlit cigar
between his teeth, as he paced slowly the
marble walk.
He glanced toward the drawing-room
windows. They We're in total darkness.
From Lalage's bed-chamber in the left
wing a yellow light was family gleam-
ing. Heaving q sigh of relief Anthony
re-entered the house. Proceeding to tho
library and turning the gas to its fullest
limit he selects volume from the we'll
HllGO SbSlNCSs 1lASIly DG StIclCHGQ
himself upon long, low couch carefully
adjusting the satin pillow at his head.
He laZily closed his eyes, when. in
startled wonder, ne fancied a shadow
passed before his face.
He sat upright and glanced around.
Nonsense, nothing but Imagination The
afternoons experience had unnerved him
Arguing thus he again settled himself
more comfortably, and was dropping Off
to sleep, when, this time, an unmistaka-
BILE movement caused him to open his
eyes.
Ia amazement he lay speechIess, numb.
The awful terror is once more upon him
Again the yellow snake, with swift Dart
ing head, cOnfrontS him. The horrible
eyes penetrate his brain-those self-same
eyes he gazed upon that afternoon With
a shudder he mercifulIy loses conscious
ness.
Some one shakes him roughly by the
shoulder. Anthony's eyes unclose. His
fathers face is anxiously bending over
him.
"What is the matter, lad? You are
colder than ice, and your face is the color
OF death. Come, drink this" holding q
tumbler of brandy TO his lips.
He drains the glass eagerly.
wv elcome home, my son." pattinp him
kindly upon the head. You arrived a
day sooner than we expected, or | should
aNO PoSN NPStONt A-iy VI y ~ L. w mere
is Lalage? | trust she has made you
comfortabie2n
Anthony clasps his fathers hands
warmly. Thanks. dad. You are very
kind. have not seen your wife since
dinner"
The older man laughs heartily.
''What, you two have not quarreIed al
ready hope?p
The sons face flushed guiltily, whilst
his fatne~ leisurely emerges from his
great overcoat.
With a sudden impulse Anthony Jumps
to his feet and lays his head upon his
fathers shoulder.
The father strokes the curly head low
"Ah. Lalage," as his wife slowly and
quietly sweeps into the room, her hair
hanging in glorious mass almost to the
floor The beautiful face is wax-like be-
meath those flaming gas-jets. The loose
sleeves of flowing, white gown disclose
the perfectly -molded arms to the shoul-
ders. She walks straight to Anthony.
Her peculiar, wondrous eyes are fastened
upon him alone.
"Lalage, darling wife"
With fierce, impatient movement she
dashes her husbands hand aside.
In shame and remorse Anthony sinks
at his fathers feet.
She stands in front of him, her per-
funed hair tangling and encircling his
neck.
She stoOps, her warm, moist arms CLASH
him to her half barred breast