The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-11-18

what better assurance to give you than
to inform you of my own engagement,
which is only waiting my lovers return
from sea to be ratified. Therefore, with
many thanks, l will decline your beau
tiful Offering"
My words had hit the mark. He had
not expected a little country girl to
meet him upon equal ground, and dark
red flush Overspread his handsome face.
Then his own generous nature con-
quered as he said:
AT least, Miss Rita, 1 may proffer this
as a wedding gift"
As such felt could not refuse it, but
he went on:
only one thing | ask, that l myself
may place it on your arm
Then, taking it up, he slipped it upon
her wrist, where it fastened with tiny
paddock, which he locked with golden
key, placing the latter in his pocket.
you see you will wear my chains
while you live" he said, with hidden
earnestness. land I-shall have only this
in memory" holding up the key for one
moment, then pressing his lips upon it
and again consigning it to its hiding
place.
was still sitting where he had left
NE. 1t was early in the evening, and
had refused to go back to the house,
when some one whose football had not
heard stood before me. CHANGING up, the
moons rays fell full on Ross face. With
glad cry of delight | sprang to my
feet, but, white and stern and still, he
waved me back.
Il have been home one hour" he said
quietly. ut seems to me year. | was
told you were here with your lover.
Where is he that may share the con-
gratulatiOns I have come to offer your"
ROSS" l said, what do you mean?
Have you no welcome for me?"
"Welcome!" he exclaimed, land where
is mine? The star to which my yearn-
ing eyes have all these months been
turned"
Ross, You have heard falsely. Do not
be so cold, so stern to little Rita. Have
you not a kiss for me?"
My fearful tone had melted him. A
great wave of tenderness swept over his
| face. Almost had his arm unfolded to
| receive me and let me sob out my con-
fession on his heart, when his glance
| fell on the bracelet clasping my arm.
Again the tiger in him leaped to bay.
And what is this?" he said, fercely.
| This token of your falsehood that YOU
| dare flaunt in my sight. 1t is like a
woman. They would murder with
smile. Do you know that too could
murder? Yes, your very youth, your
very beauty, l could crush as thefower
beneath my heel. Take off that bauble
and fling it into the seal"
Il cannot, Ross, said. at lis locked.
He has the key"
Curse him!"he muttered. "Then it is
! to him | must look. He has locked it,
| but by the heavens above l will unlock
| it, if to get the key | have to strangle
him" And, leaving me stunned, hope
! less, wretched where l Stood he strobe
away.
As l lay wakeful pale and repentant,
next morning, my mother entered my
room with an awful palIor on her face.
| think before she opened her lips I
knew all, knew that Ross-my lever, my
| promised husband-was a murderer.
and that my soul must stand with his
| at the bar of God to answer for the
| deed. The two men had met the night
| before-one reused to frenzy. the other
refusing to answer to threats when rea-
son might have prevailed. There was
blow, an answering blow, a scuff1e as
| to the possession of tiny golden key.
| Ross had gained it, when, throwing his
! opponent from him he had struggled
one moment on the edge of the cliff,
| then fallen heavily into the sea be-
meath. From his prison cell Ross sent
me the key. With dull, heavy misery
| unlocked the golden thing which had
| wrought such evil, and sat down to
| live through the dark days of my lovers
| trial. 1t was very short, and each hour
was bringing it to its close. There could
| be little doubt of the verdict He had
murdered one man. l had murdered
two
On the last day of his trial reused
| from my apathy to write him the whole
answering truth.
Il took it as my wedding gift, Ross"
| said in closing. you may believe me
now, since all my life is wrecked, nor
have | saved from it even your love"
The jury were out celebrating. Ross
! life was in their hands. This was the
one ever-present torturing thought
when a great shout broke the oppres-
sive stiffness. What could it mean?
knew not, and dared not hope, until
until the messenger of the glad tidings
came to us. The trial had come to an
unforeseen termination. The grave
had given up its dead. Rush Arden's
fall had not killed him, but picked up
by a passing boat he had returned to
wreak the noble revenge of striking off
his enemy's letters. All this / heard
as in a dream, then the waves ofGncon-
| seriousness engulfed me and knew no
more. For long weeks l lived over in
delirium the tragic scenes which had so
lately encompassed me, but when life
and reason were restored the flush, not
/ only of health, but happiness, came
! back to my cheek with the low whis-
| pcred words with which Ross told me
of his forgiveness.-N. Y. Ledger.