Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-06-15
EYES TEMPTATION.

W. L
is in that package?"
Eve put the coat over q chair and took mn
the parcel.
Tom won't mind" she said. "I will
Just take peep. Pm sure it's for me-"
Then she undid the ribbon, unfolded the
paper and saw letters.
Dear Toni He keeps my letters next
MS heart, and he has never told me-"
But the writing was not hers She saw
that at glance.
His mothers letters" she said "He
loved his motherso."
Then she began to tremble q little, for the
letters did not begin with My dear son, -
nor with anything like it. She cast her
eyes over them. They were love letters.
Tom had loved some other woman be-
fore he met me-" she said, beginning to
cry. "Oh, what shall l dor" Then she
cried out, "Oh, foolish creature that ami
Of course she died, and he only loves me
now. 1t was all over before we met and
must not mind"
But here she paused, gave scream and
then threw the letter from her as though
serpent had bitten her. 1t was dated in the
previous week. 1t was not four days old.
"Ohl ohl ohP' shrieked Eve "Oh, what
shall dor oh, where shall goP"
-, AT every cry thought pierced her breast
like stab.
"Tom, my Toni What shall dor Toni
Toni He to be false-Tomi Oh, have
gone madl Mol There they arel They are
really there-those lettersl Why do not
diep Do people live through such things
as these2"
Then she knelt down on the floor and
gathered up the letters and steadily read
them fhrnuCh
such love letters No other Interpretation
could be put upon them. They were absurd
love letters, such as are always produced in
court in case of breach of promise. And
they called him 'Popsy Wopsy," DARLING
Parling," "Lovey Dovey," "Own Sweet,
ness" and Angel of My Soul" and they
were all signed "Your Own Nellie"
1T is all true" said poor Eve, wringing
her hands. "and 1t is worse than ANYTHING
that have ever heard Of trusted him so
believed in him SO. My Tom-mine."
Then she wiped her eyes. gathered up the
letters, wrapped the silver paper about
them, tied the blue ribbon and put them
back In the awful breast pocket of that
dreadful overcoat and hung it up In the |
hall again.
Tom shall never know" she said. "pu |
not reproach him. will never see him |
again. When he comes home, | shall be |
dead. will not live to bear this"
She sat down to think over the best
means of suicide. She could hang herself
to the chandelier with a window blind
cord, but then she would be black in the
face and hideous. She would drown her.
self, but then her body would go floating
down the river into the sea, and drowned
people looked even worse than strangled
ones. She was too much afraid of firearms
to shoot herself, even in this strait. She
would take poison. Yes, that would be
best, and though she should never see Tom
again he would see her, and remorse would
sting him.
So having put on hat and thick veil
Eve betook herself around the corner to
the nearest drug store. The druggist was
IN cid German; benevolent looking one,
With red cheeks and smiling mouth, and
when she asked him for poison for rats he
'aid "Sor' and beamed mildly upon her
u want 1t very strong" said Eve
Sop said the druggist.
But not to give more pain than is neces.
ary, nor turn the face black" said Eve.
With a grave face he compounded the
,owder and handed it across the counter.
Eve took it, gave him the few cents he
sked and walked off. Once at home she
vent straight to her room and undressed
erself and retired to bed, taking the pow.
er with her. Once or twice she tasted it
'lth the tip of her tongue, hoping that it
'as not very disagreeable. Then, finding
sweet she bravely swallowed it.
1t is over" she said. "Oh, Heaven for
I've me and forgive Tomp And then she
nd herself down upon her pillow.
just as she did so the familiar sound of
latchkey in the door below startled her,
ON never came home at noon, but there
e was now. No one else but Tom would
ak in in that cool way, and he was call.
lg her.
"Eve-Eve-Eve-wher are your"
Never before had she refused to answer
lat voice. Why had he come to torture
er dying momentss Harkl Now he was
ounding up stairs. He was in the room.
What is the. matter? Are you ill, EvePn
NO." she said family, "only tired"
"Ahl You look tired, little one," said
g. Il came home to get the overcoat.
oppose you have found out by this time
lat the coat In the hall is not mine.
ore Johnson's home from the office last
ght by mistake He's anxious about it.
@ asked me II there was any one In the
ouse who would be likely to meddle with
ipers In his pockets. said that Thought
't. hadn't a jealous wifel What's the
after, Eve?"
"Oh, Tomp' she cried Historically. "oh,
y 1t againI 1t was not your coat? Oh,
1m, kiss mel''
why, what's the matter2" cried out
1m. "You must be I'LL"
Then Eve remembered all.
VI am wicked woman, Toni There
IRE letters in the pockets-love letters.
cad them. thought you were false to s
II took poison, Tom. Pm going to Y
land | long to live So Oh, Tom, Tom.
We mei' 4
'Yes-yesP' he cried. "oh, good heavenl I
hat poison'"
Hoffman will know. bought it from 4
n. Perhaps he can save me-" cried Eve. \
Away went Tom, white as death, to the y
lggist around the corner He burst into A
store like a whirlwind. Y
The ladyp' he gasped-"the lady who
nght poison here an hour ago. She took A
oy mistakel Can you save her? Is there Z
antidote3 She is dyingr y
No, no" said the old German. "Be A
mi Be at restl No, mol She cannot Y