The Van Buren press., 1895-10-12

turned my life into . tragedyi have
made death . release a. sure - ever
was liberty to prisoner"
"And IL will be the cause Of your
crime! Now. God, be merciful unto
me! Which way shall turn for de-
liverance?" His tones were pregnant
with a last despair.
'Yes, Pierre, my blood will be upon
your soulI' Thus spoke Madeline In
that moment Of infinite import to them
both.
"Fiendr Pierre thrust her rudely
to one side and ran from her presence
as If all the furies Of the pit were
in hot pursuit.
The place where he had left her was
in secluded part Of the park. She
had ordered her coachman to drive on
and return in an hour. When he came
back he found her seated on branch
under the fatal tree. He drew rein,
and was surprised that she took no
notice of his presence.
II am here, my lady,"
No answer Then the menial sprang
from the carriage and approached his
mistress Was she asleep? Did she
recline in that awkward fashion on the
seat? What is that bright red. red
stream, dripping from her bosom? And
that stilletto? Why is she holding 1t
in full sight Of whoever might pass?
The servant stood appalled, in his own
weak way. A lark scared up from its
lowly nest and went singing skyward
until lost in light. A serpent thrust
its head ont of bank Of violets, Kissed
and withdrew. And still the servant
stood OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to
understand. Suddenly his arm was
seized from behind and he turned to
confront man in the garb Of monk
"a man whose eyes glowed with .
maniacal glare. 1t was Pierre.
"Dead!' he shrieked. Dead, and
doomed forever and forever! oh. had
she but waited few moments would
have come back to her, but now it is
too late-too late! Lost-lost-forever
lost, her soul, and am lost for time
less time as wellT
A summer morning broke in miracle
splendor on the Wisconsin coast two
centuries ago, and standing on the
bluff where the town of Bayfield, lifts
its spires to-day was bent and hag-
gard man. Redemption" he NUT
tered. 81 have sought redemption for
my crime in all the continents, but it
mocks me still Will find it here? Ii
not, will know that was predestined
to damnation from the foundation of
the universe"
He saw savage propelling canoe
along the shore at his feet-a tall,
brawny animal in the form Of man.
If were as ignorant as that crea-
ture would be happy" he went on;
Infinitely happy" He beckoned to
the canoeman. and by pantomime told
him that he was desirous OF reaching
one of the islands that intensified the
loneliness Of the lake.
"Apostle islands, l christen thee!" he
cried, throwing out his hand in the di-
rection OF the green group lying in the
serene splendor of that summer morn,
land thee, oh, most beautiful OF al
islands, christen Madeline" As he
spoke he set foot upon the shore OF his
new home and began the ministry
that forms so eventful an epoch in the
records of religion. He built the
church at La Pointe and brought to
the savage heart fuller knowledge
of that God of whom even they had an
indefinite sense. And as the years in
creased there came to him the peace
that passeth understanding.
The light that never was on sea or shore
Then broke q day when Pierre
lay dying in his humble home. An
Indian whom he had converted, and
who had become his devoted follower,
stood at his side as life went drifting
out into the unknown and unknowsble
mists.
"Mah-keeg-ah."
"Yes."
''Tell her l cannot see her to-day"
"What is it. father?'
"Tell her-tell Madeline"
"Madeline?'
"Yes-yes Don't you see her stand
ing outside the doorway"
II see no one.
"Why, her very eyes light up this
dull old room. Hear! She asks II she
may come in"
''But see-I hear no one, father"
"Are you blind and deaf, you dolt?"
And sumHloning his expiring energies,
Pierre leaped from his pallet, only to
fall back with cry OF pain.
He lay silent moment; then a
rapt, radiant look came into his eyes,
smile transfgured his features; he
held out both his arps.
"Madeline!''
And he was dead, with look on his
face that only the ransomed wear.-N.
Y. Times.