Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-11-02
uttered an exclamation OF well-feigned


She STATED forward, put repellant
gesture. and look of disgust on the part
of Mildred, repre- sed her.
"You knew very we'll that she was alive
all the time, slil Warren, rather warmly.
"Was it not your tool, Syme, the,e, who
pretended to be her brother and pre-
sented proof of her death?"
Yes, but not with my knowledge, far
less at my inst cation.
AT whose them"
Oscar Slyme was working uuder the
orders of Eugene Cleveland. Ten min
utes after he was m rried he received
letter from my husband notifying hiu
that az a bridal present he would make
him a partner in the publishing house
where he was employed. This changed
his ideas at once. He saw thit he could
look higher. Excusing himself, be
sought Slyme aud set a plot in motion
which sent Mildred fly ng from the city
that very night. Is rot that true, Mr.
Slyme?"
The beautiful woman aused, la'd heI
white hand upon her heaving bosom ana
turned her dark eye', so full OF wltcheiy
and fascination, upon the face of the ex-
secretary.
Slvme hesitated a moment. That ne
had lost ali chance of gaining the love OF
Flora Cleveland he fully realized. lie
wayered for a moment. The eyes OF the
siren seemed burning their way into MS
very soul. An instant later his resolu-
tion was taken. q,
"Ihe lady i, right" Re falered. Il
hate to acknowledge it, but l acted for
Cleveland in the matter. He held whip
over nv head, an old folly Of which he
had gained knowledge, and / was forced
to perform the dastardly pat.
And you we're the catch he had in his
mind" adde Mrs. Elliston, sTeaking to
Flora, and estowing a glowing look oil
gratitude upon Slyme.
1T is false!" ciied Flora. our WlIes
have led Eugene 10 wrong me, but he was
never capable Of such perhdy, such In
fanny.
Thank God!"
These words in fervent tones, cau'ed
every one present a start of surprise.
At that instant Eugene Cleveland
bounded throu h the window that opened
on the veranda and sto, d in the midst OF
the astonshed company
Ho had seea Slyme and Co a enter
the house, and from place oil espionage
had seen AMI heard all that had trans
pired. .,,,:,
had teen a shock, bat It's effect 'd lost
much of its weight, so great was the men
tai excl 'ement undor which he was Ia
boring.
Il know ALL" 10 went Oh, speaking
rapidly. almo t incoherently. nave
sinned beyond all thought, all hope, OF
par on, but l am not the cold-blooded'
n11 M Ak
mo appear to be.
have WI tten evidence to prove 1t. Con-
vinced that my Mildred was no more, L
fell victim to her wiles, and h We un-
ill .telv continued in her tots L urge
it not in mitigation of my gr.eyous Of
fenses, but at last / am free from her
thralldom, and cannot do less than ac-
knowledge my disgrace and ruin.
AS Eugene Cleveland uttered these
words, the face Of Cora Elliston lost
everything of scnating beauty md
took on an expr( ssion that would have
done credit to an incarnate tend.
1T is you who have brought me to TINS,
she raved, turning upon Flora. lou
came between us-took from me all that
| ever valued in this life, his love; but
You shall not live 10 enjoy your triumph.
AS she finished speaking she drew
from the folds of her dress small gold
plated revolver, which she leye!ed at hei
fair and innoct Mt rival.
No one was near enough TO arrest hei
murderous hand, and Flora Cleveland
doom seemed sealed.
But with the quickness OF cat Eugene
sprang forward and covered with bis
own body that Of the woman whom nc
now love better than his own life.
There was a report. wreath of smoke
and the two fell TO the floor together
Without an inst ants delay the desper.
ate woman recocked the revolver ant
placed it over her treacherous, guilelu
heart.
A second report, fall, brief struggle
parting groan, aud she had entered the
precincts of another world.
A scene of indesrribable dismly ensued
Flora was found unharmed, but be
husband bad received the bullet in hi
,, breast and vas apparently in dylnt
condition.
Before losing consciousness, h'
; seemed to believe that his de TIN was a
2 hand, and begged aud received the ful
pardon of the wife he had so cruell.
wro0ged. ~
NGOOd-by, SAID ne 10 MliuIeu' 60
where your affections are placed. Prom
Use me that you will marry Warren an
be happy"
$ Il promise" was the fearful response
The unexpected often happ rs in rea
d life, and why not in fiction?
D Eugene Cleveland did not die. For
e | NJ time his lie was despaired OF, Lu
e the careful watching of devoted Flor
brought him back to life and uitimat
D health and s s'rength
The existing complication was sa'
:, and trying one, but it was not without
} remedy.
: Mildred felt that she had no CLAIM
upon the husband from whom the beauti
o full siren had parted her, and as she wa
q deyotedly attached TO Warren Leland, sh
I procured a legal separation from Eugen c
and shortly afterward married the hus
D band of her choice.
. AS for the truly repentant Eugene an
i his faithful Flora, they were remaTie
and constitute happy, loving pair, whor
I not all the sirens on earth can put asun
J.. der.
t Warren never again saw Welch, the oil
+ rag-picker, who disappeared from To
y country with his daughter and her chill
= dren. but he learned that the old ma
was an uncle Of the wronged wife of dc
d bert BroVnell.
e Mr.. Metcalf is hale and hearty in hi
Years. and Clara Denton happy in hi
: love and that of her charming and prom
J.. ising daughter, Edith.
: Oscar Slyme escaped punishment q
1 the hands OF the W, but he never aftel