Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-10-11

killed every hope Of my heart; have
turned my life into a tragedy; have
made death a release as sure as ever
was liberty to a prisoner"
"And II will be the cause Of your
crime! Now, God, be merciful unto
mel Which way shall l turn for de-
liverance?" His tones were pregna It
with a last despair,
"Yes, Pierre, my blood will be upo~
your soul!' Thus spoke Madeline In
that moment of infinite importto them
both.
"Fiend!" Pierre thrust her rudely
to one side and ran from her presence
as II 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 a branch
under the fatal tree. He drew rein,
and was surprised that she took nc
notice of his presence.
II am here, my lady"
No answer. Then the mental 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 il
in full sight Of whoever might pass
The servant stood appalled, in his wn
weak way A lark scared up from its
lowly nest and went singing slSyward
until lost in light. A serpent thrust
its head out of a bank of violets, hisset
and withdrew. And still the servant
stood appalled, speechless- tc
understand. Suddenly his arm was
seized from behind and he turned t.
confront man in the garb of a monk
"a man whose eyes glowed with ;
maniacal glare 1t was Pierre.
Dead" he shrieked. Dead, ant
doomed forever and forever! Oh, hat
she but waited few moments woult
have come back to her, but now it i,
too late-too late Lost-lost-forevel
lost, her soul, and am lost for time
less time as well!
A summer morning broke in miracle
splendor on the Wisconsin coast two
centuries ago, and standing on thu
bluff where the town of bayfield, lift
its spires to-day was bent and bag
gard man. Redemption" he nut
tered. 81 have sought redemption fol
my crime in all the continents, but i
mocks me still. viii find il here? |
not will know that was predestinet
to damnation from the foundation o
the universe"
He saw a 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 t.
the canoeman, and by pantomime toll,
him that he was DESTROYS of reachin,
one of the islands that intensified tn
loneliness Of the lake.
opposite islands, christen thee!' h,
cried, throwing out his hand in the di
rection of the green group lying in tn
serene splendor of that summer morn
land thee, oh, most beautiful of al
islands, christen Madeline" As h,
spoke he set foot upon the shore of hi
new home and began the ministr
that forms so eventful an epoch in tn
records of religion. He built tn
church at La Pointe and brought t
the savage heart fuller knowledg
of that God OF whom even they had a
indefinite sense. And as the years il
creased there came to him the peac
that passeth understanding.
The light that never was on sea or shore
Then broke a day when Pierr
lay dying in his humble home. A.
Indian whom he had converted, an
who had become his devoted follower
stood at his side as life went driftin
out into the unknown and rnknowab l
mists.
''Mah-keeg-ah."
yes"
Tell her cannot see her to-day"
"What is it, father?'
Tell her-tell Madeline"
"Madeline?"
"Yes-yes Don't you see her stant
ing outside the doorway"
II see no one"
why, her very eyes light up thi
dull old room. Hear! She asks If sh
may come in"
but see-I hear no one, father"
Are you blind and deaf, you dolt!
And summoning his expiring energie
Pierre leaped from his pallet only
fall back with a cry of pain.
He lay silent a moment; then
rapt, radiant look came into his eye
smile TRANSPORTED his features; h
held out both his arms.
: ''Madeline!"
And he was dead, with look on h
face that only the ransomed wear. II
v Times