Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-10-26

be SO-iISten, | have thOu nj we'll over u:
Her lips touched the cheek of her lover,
and the murmur of hel last words was
lost in her sses.
Eugene roughly repulsed her, sprang
up. and stood before her
Cora, he said sternly, "this is trick,
hope but trial or no, never repeat 1t,
never Remember"
She also quickly drew up her figure.
"Ahl how You love ler!" she ciled.
"Yes, YOU love her; it is she you love
know ii, feel it, and / | am only the
wretched object of your pity or of your
canrice. Even Mildred Lester is no
longer remembered. Very well; 60 back
to her-go and protect her, for l swear to
you she is in peril
He smiled with his naughty irony.
Let us sec your plot he said! SO
YOU intend to kill herr"
"If | can!" she sal ]; and her superb
arin was stretched out as though to seize
weapon
What with your hand?
1The hand shall lie found"
you are so beautiful at this moment,
said Eugene, L ain dying with the de-
sire to fall at your f, et Acknowledge
only that you wished 10 try me, or that
you were mad for moment.
She gavo o savage smile.
SObi YOU fer Go you2" she said, coldly;
then rails ng again Eer voice, which as
sumel a malignant tone, you are rght;
7 nm not mad did not wish 10 try you;
am lea ous.-I am betrayed and shall
revenge my self, no matter what it costs
me. for I care for nothing more IN this
world Co. and guard her!" -.
"Be it so; I 60" said Eu;ene, Win
flashing eyes. he Immediately lett the
room and the house; he reached tte
Grand Central Depot on foot, and that
night reached Roxbury.
Something terrible there awaited him.
CHAPTER XxXIII.
DESPAIR.
Oscar Slyme had been making the
most of his time, though thus far mat
ters had not turned out as he had expect
ed or desired.
Baffled in bringing about Eugene's ruin
through the Senator, he determined to
separato him from Flora, whom, notwith.
standing what had happened, be still
loved as much is he hated Cora ElllSton.
He dare not 90 to her himself, but
while in The service Of the Senator and
Warren Leland lie had become acquaint-
ed with connection Of the Leland fam'-
! ". n sour minded old maid, who affected
! religion and all the virtues, and professed
to despise wealth and the pleasures OF
| this world, and who, as u matter or
course, hated her younger, prettler, ana
more fortunate relative, Flo and all her
family with an intense and perfect hatred.
Oscar Slyme knew and understood this
woman thoroughly, and determined 10
make her his tool.
He went 10 her, told his story-a feor-
ful story it was--and when he saw she
was almost bursting with the information
she had received suggested that she
should go to Roxbury and pay the lie;
lands visit, especially, as he happened
to know. Eugene Cleveland was out Of
the way.
She Jumped at the idea, and the very
next eastern bound train had her on board
as a passenger.
1t is almost needless TO say that Mrs:
Leland and Flora we're greatly nstonlshed
when informed that their connection,
Miss Phebe Craven, had arrived to pay
them visit. They could rot understand
it. Their intercourse with her had a.
WAYS been very constrained. Neither
their character nor their lelieion coin
cided with hers.
After a moments reflection Mrs. Leland
said:
"Of course we must receive her and
treat her we'll. You go down, Flo, and
entertain her for while. will come
later and relieve you.
VERY we'll, mamma" and with re-
signed sigh Flo descended to the recep-
tion-room.
At sight of her Miss Phebe started to
her feet, and rushing forward, threw ner
nrms about her neck and kissed her. Flo,
however, did not return this greeting qu te
50 cordially.
In truth, she had no great aversion for
her maiden relative; she simply contented
herself with rot liking her; but Phebe
Crayen hated Flo intensely, and now she
had found good occasion TO prove 1t to
her. and she would not lose it. What
wonder, then, she began with kiss?
The death Of the Senator had destroyed
all Slyme's high hopes OF the fortune
which he believed he would receive for
openinc the eyes Of the deluded old man;
aud in bis rage and dis appointment he
had been very bitter against Eugene.
Phebe learned through him that Eugene
had been in the chamber of Mrs. Ellis
ton the night Of the Senator's death. On
this foundation of truth she did not fear
10 frame The most odious suspicious; and
Slvme. baffied in his vengeance, and like
her in bis envy, had aided her.
On Flora's invitation, she again took
her seat, but forced her young relative
into chair by ber size, and still held
her hand. d.
Soon she affected to make the Sena-
tors death the theme of conversation
shed few tears over her old acquain-
lance. and kissed Flo's imprisoned hand
with burst of tenderness.
NV poor little thingl" she sGid to her;
lit is for you also weep, for you Will
be yet more unhappy than heretofore IL
that can be possible"
Il 90 not understand you, Phebe, an
swered Flora coldy.
eff YOU do not understand me SO much
the better" replied Miss Phebe, with
shade of bitterness. Then, after mo-
m&nts pause: Listen my dear little
thing! this is a duty of conscience which
| comply with. You see, an honest ere a.
ture like YOU merits a better fate; and
your mother too, who is also dupe.
This man would deceive the Almighty
himself. In the name of humanity, l
feel bound to ask pardon for both OF
them.
Il repeat, Phebe, that do not under
stand YOU.
But it is impossible Flo! Come, it is
impossible that all this time you bave
suspected nothing :,
Il suspect nothing, Phebe Craven,
Flora. because know all"
"Ah continued Phebe, dryly, if this
be So have nothing to say. But there
ora ,,orsons in that case who can accom-