The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-02

sizes on the first of November, when
his final trial would take place.
Marina was laid in the shady grave
yard where the Trenholmes had for
generations been buried, and after the
funeral was over. the guests departed
and left Ralph and Agnes and their
mother alone at the Rock.
His poor old father and mother were
nearly frantic with the dreadful turn
affairs had taken. and before her boy
had lain a week in prison, the feeble
mother was dressed for the grave. His
father, the honest old fisherman. went
about slowly. his tall form bowed, his
eyes vacant, his voice broken. and his
intellect verging fast upon imbecillty.
A large part OF Ralph's time was
spent away, collecting any evidence
which might tell at the approaching
trial-indeed his every energy seemed
TO be devoted to the work of bringing
condemnation on Lynde Graham, the
man he had once loved as brother. He
believed him guilty. and. believing this,
he said. sternly, to himself. he would
not hesitate to bring his own father
to the gallows! No. when he thought
OF Marina. so beautiful, so foully muir
dered, he forgot there was such word
as mercy-he only remembered ven
geance.
Since the terrible tragedy Agnes
Trenholme had not been herself She
was restless, nervous-given to long
fits OF passionate weeping at which
times nothing could comfort her. Mrs
Trenholme attributed il TO grief for
the fearful death OF her adopted sister
and though she herself mourned the
gentle girl. and was Mortified beyond
measure at her tragic death, yet as the
time passed. and Agnes only grew
more and more depressed, she could
not resist little feeling of impotence
at her conduct. A few days before the
first of November on which day Lynde
Graham would be brought to trial,
Agnes sought Ralph in the library.
He started at the sight of Agnes in
her white robes. and her face as white
as her dress, with the dark circles
around the great dilated, gray eyes. He
had never noticed before how terribly
she had changed.
my dear Agnes, tell me what
troubles you"
She came slowly forward, and sink
ing at his feet, buried her face in his
bosom and burst into sobs.
He lifted up her face and looked into
her troubled eyes.
my dear sister, tell me what it
means! l do not understand you. /
did not know your love for-for her
was so intense"
20, yes; l loved Marina. did love
her! Ralph, God knows she was dear
to me as an own sister could have been.
But it is not her death that is wearing
me to the grave. No, no-not thatw
Not that? Then tell me, and let me
comfort you"
Il must tell some one. I shall go
mad If do not! Some women would
suffer it in silence-would die before
they would breathe the secret. But
am made of weaker stuff. cannot
bear it alone. must have helpr'
And l will give it to you, if it lies
in my power, my poor Agnes" he said.
stroking her hair.
ooh, thank you! bless you! IL you
only mean it. Will you promise to help
me in my own way"
Tell me the circumstances. II would
be wrong to promise without knowing
to what l pledged myself"
81 want you to promise to spare the
life of Lynde Graham
His face grew black, he opened his
mouth to speak. but she covered it with
her two hands.
only her me out, Ralph. You shall
not deny me yet. l will hope little
longer. 1t is shame for me to confess
1t, but his death upon the gallows will
kill me- l could not live and know
that while breathed he was yielding
up his precious life at the end of the
terrible rope! the spectacle of a jeer-
ing crowd. He, the noblest, the purest,
the best man that ever lived! You can
save him! You can refuse to appear
against him-I know there are ways
by which men prevent the conviction
Of even the basest criminals! And he
thought. He is innocent as the angels
Ralph, promise me that you will save
him.
He rose to his feet, lifting her up
also, and looking down into her face
coldly and sternly.
agnes, what possible interest can
you take in that damnable murderer"
my brother! o Ralph do not
despise me utterly l love him. she
moaned sinking to the floor and clasp
ing his knees.
Love him. he exclaimed, hoarsely;
you love a murderer! a cowardly as
sassin! Agnes Trenholme, why did not
God let you die before you sank so low?
The son OF a common fisherman =
and"
Hush" she said, sternly do not
speak Of rank! You dared to love a
woman without a name and | honored
you for ignoring birth and position
love Lynde Graham because he Is
worthier of a woman's love than any
man I ever sawl l have loved him for
years. / cannot remember when every
sweet thought of my heart was not in
terwoven with him. Love is not the
child OF wealth alone. II goes whittier
1t Is sent And to me Lynde Graham
Is as royal as prince OF the realm!"
"And did he dare?-has he dared to
ask your lover"
Her face grew scarlet, but she held
up her head proudly.