Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-04-04

scrip, OF pESNlousty aStcec upon between the
indeed but paper. She turned fiercely
upon Walter. who found it advisable to
quit her presence with expedition.
. How awfully fond she must be OF
him ~ he soliioquized.
{" Would had known It ereI sacrificed
my finest feelings for her sake And yet
what a scrape have got into The
packet is in her hands-was, that is to
say, five minutes ago; for by this time
it is probably in the FIRE What viii be-
come of my father when it cannot be
producedf And. more especially. what
viii become of met Wretched Walterl
lucky Adelbertl ungrateful Ida r.
Make counterfeit" advised the
black spirit.
Coates everything, " recommended
the white.
II am sure / can't I" replied Waiter to
the latter suggestion; and "a don't
think can, /" was his response to the
first BE was, nevertheless, revolving
scheme for the acquisition of AdeIbert's
seal, when a knock came to his chamber
door.
Enter, y he cried. and one of Ida,s
domestics presented the packet, with the
seals so cunningly restored as to leave
no trace of opening, along with billet
from his mistress. Walter read:
Forgive my impetuosity. In my
agitation did not stay to gauge the in
tensity of thy affection by the enormity
of thy turpitude. Whensoeyer the con,
tents of the packet are publicly eyiueed
mere paper, account me thine"
Walter heayed asigh of speechless Joy,
and hastened to replace the packet in
his fathers Golfer. At the same mo-
ment Adelbert, alone in his chamber, was
holding phial of poison to the lamp,
whose rays lent baleful glitter to the
adder hued fluid. An empty goblet
gaped for the deadly potion. Adelbert's
fingers dallied with the cork. when
hand smote upon the door without, and
he hastily thrust the phial into drawer.
Pardon the intrusion, said Alexis,
entering, but thou maYest probably
wish to hear my sonnet, which is now
completed to my satisfaction, excepting
thirteen lines. Moreover. the Lady Ida
has intrusted me with letter to thee"
Adelbert eagerly broke the seal. The
missive contained nothing save a define
alton of an anchor, the emblem Of hope.
Does she, can she lmowF he specu-
lated. :" Is she a witch. or is Walter q
traitorf Howbeit, the phial may rest
whereitis."
The great day had arrived The court
was thronged with merchants and law
yers. The parties concerned were pres
eut with their notaries-Adelbert pale
as death. Walters father flushed and
fidgety. Walter sardonically calm. A
magistrate read the formal notice that,
the pledge not having been redeemed,
the packet was now to be opened and its
contents made over to Walters father.
subject TO three days grace of redemp.
ton. Adelbert's heart might have been
heard to beat all over the court but for
the buzz of excited whispering.
Trembling with eagerness, the old
jeweler broke the seals and cut thesilken
strings, and held up a mass of paper,
scored with blotted and erased char
acters.
"Alexis's sonnet, by all that's bluei''
cried Walter.
lis this all, wretchf shouted his
father to Adelbert. Wretch, say, il
this allR''
Adslbert made no reply.
Ida has Knocked ME. he thought,
Will
william, you shall swing for thisi'
thundered the old man as he dashed the
papers on the table. A ring as of metal
smote upon every ear, and one OF fifty
outstretched hands grasped and held up
a brilliant object. flashing and sparkling
in the sunshine that streamed through
the court windows.
Heayensf" exclaimed the aged lapi-
n =
house of Trottenheim i'
Which, said a clear voice, in the
remote part of the court, al lent to
Herr Adelbert that he might impledgo
them for the sum he needed, and which
my lawyer will now redeem for the
same, with added interest,"
Lady'' shrieked Walter, "how long
have these gems -'' hut his father
checked him angrily Ida hurried
blushing from the court and Walter
sank back Inurmuring, "Awfully fond
of him"
The word was taken up ON all sides,
and as the stunned and slowly reviving
Adelbert found himself surrounded with
old and new friends congratulating him
upon his triumph and the near prospect
of wealthy and devoted bride, he could
not but repeat to himself, - How she
must love met
He escaped as soon as lie could and
hastened to Ida. He fell at her feet and
thanked her for his life and honor Then
he urged her to wed him.
Not for the universe, Adelbert.'' -
answered Ida. very sweet1y.
The discomfitted suitor could only
Btammer, " WhereforeR"
Because compassion Is not uecesSariIv
love; because may have desired to
humble, even more than to help thee.
because Walter would undoubtedly hang
lastly, and this, indeed, Is the
principal and most conclusive reason,
because IhaYe been these three weeks
married to Alexis. ."-Illus-
trated News of the World.