The morning times., 1895-08-25

laugh L WANT you 70 pIpultot tlttit MY
sister Adelaide shall know nothing about
my arrest. III as she is, sire need never
know-at least not for Il very long time.
Promise me this; promise"
We gave the promise.
Now | will go cheerfulIy," said Charles,
Strengthening his shoulders and turning /
towards the door.
AT this moment there was knock at 1
the rawing-room and CooIa, the Hin 4
doc Inferred, bearing a large envelope |
addressed to Mrs. HOLLYWOOD, who took |
it tremblingIy.
stop" said she, looking at the doctor /
and me Let us know what this con
tains'
With hasty hands she broke the seal
There was another envelope, AMI upon
the outside there was written. ITO Mrs
Bollowosu The confession Of Adelaide
HOLLYWOOD "
When Charles saw the writing be made
as If to snatch the envelope from his
stepmother's hands, hut L caught him.
Let us hear IT," said.
We seated ourselves at a small ia bic under
the electriclght which burned in the middle
of the drawing room all day, and Mrs. HOl-
lOwood read in a low voice, broken often
by her surprise and emotion, this story,
written in Adelaide's own handwriting
You will never see ME again." the letter
began, for though I am i'll unto death
will fly from home before this is delivered
to you. have written it secretly, and to-day,
when my brother returned, finished it as
rapidly as possible.
First, must say, that while to the world
at large my father was happy man, we,
my brother and |, who have been the only
members OF his household for many years,
knew him better. For years before his
death my father was i'll. nervous and iFri-
table and or disposition as wearing to his
own peace OF mind as it was difficult for
us
My brother and 1 grew up together
Our mother died when we were small chill
dren, and from that time we loved each
other devotedly
LAS Charles grew up he was wayward
and my fathers impatience drove peni-
tcnce from his heart. Finally my father
drove the lad from home and into worse
exCeSses than ever That was two years
ago, and for twice twelve months can say
that | have never breathed easily night
or day for fear of bad tidings.
When Charles left father took me
| abroad to travel To restore nv spirits,
| and while in India l was taken i'll CooIa,
| one of the native women, nursed me to
! recovery and was so devoted TO me that
brought her to this Country with me
after our return COOla, who perceived
| that something depressed my spirits,
| fashioned my DoudOir for me after the
way OF the ladies of her country, and
! among the other treasures which she
| gave me was small ornament, like
! watch charm This she fastened upon
| my girdle, saying:
| That Is for you, missy, 20 keep al
| ways. CooIa gives it o YOU as her greatest
| gilt.'
she unscrewed the end OF the charm
| and took from II tiny, steel needle
| This missy said CoOla, contains poison
| gathered by my brother from the most
| poisonous OF all our snakes. There is not
| another like it in this country. Treasure
| it carefully and do not use il until you wish
| to-strike. Then-it kills
| 'CoOla told ME more about the needle
| dagger, which was not as thick as a
thread, and as she talked I would un-
screw it and gaze AT il with fascinated
| gaze. BY and by it became SO loose
that when l touched il it would come out
into my hand.
My fathers marriage much delighted
! me, and the hope that Charles might
| again come home to live raised me 10 the
| heights of bliss. But, alas. although he
| sincerely meant to do well thereafter,
| Charles went upon a New YORK esca pade,
and the day my father and stepmother
| arrived home there was letter telling
| me of his trouble. The letter said; I
have written TO father to-day and have
| promised him that I viii reform forever
! After all, Adelaide. / am a young man,
| and when / say / VIII turn over new
leaf there is much hope for me. Only
help me with fasher this time. and never
will ask him agaiD!' The letter closed
with many more protestauons OF re-
pentance and promises to do better Poor
dear boy!
That night when father came home 1
was waiting in the library for bin. He
complained OF feeling i'll. No. | VIII not
send him a penny he said. He is dis
grace. There pointing to a sealed docu-
ment on the table, is my will When l am
gone lie can makes ducks and brakes of my
money as fast as he pleases.'
AS father spoke he laid a great pack
age of bills upon the table, and quick as
flash 1 laid my hand upon it. Please
please, papa, pleaded; plea Sc let me send
him Just little
He put his hand out for the package and
l drew it away. Do please give it me for
Charles?' l begged again.
Perhaps l stepped upon his foot; per
haps a sudden pain seized him, but he
sprang to his feet, as though to strike me-
l lifted up my hand quickly. and as | did go
the little dagger charm which hung at my
belt caught i'll my rings. and when my hand
struck papa's arm, 1 felt the point of the
tiny thing bury itself in his arm.
He gave Cry of pain and sank back
As he did so the poison acted, as Coola told
me it would, instantly, and he fell to the
| floor.
| Il ran from the room, and not until had
| flung myself dazed and painting in nv own
room did know 1 still had the package of
money in my own hand. / rushed down
stairs only to meet James coming from the
library with horror stricken face. He had
heard papa fall.
We went in and lifted him up. He was
still breathing, and with awful horror, /
| saw that in his fan he had buried the pa per
| knife which he had in his hand, to its hiIt
In his heart. j remembered seeing him
finger it as 1 talked to him about the
| money.
This was too much for my feeble body,
aud succumbed. a thousand times in the
watches OF the night and in the light OF day
l have struggled for courage TO tell this
| story. Lately l overheard your cOnversa-
ton about Charles and the missing money.
That is all, aud, most unhappy girl that
| am I leave home Tonight SO thai I NAV