Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-02-03


that she should not feel SO. socn the
glapces which rested upon this girl
were more than kind-they were ten
der-and Mrs. Calista saw them.
One morning, Ruby rose with a
strange dizziness and ringing in her
ears. After an effort made to dress,
she was compelled to return to her
led, and Mrs. Calista came to attend
her.
''She has taken everything SO much
to heart, she is worn out, said the
woman.
Her words seemed true. Ruby was
robbed of all strength. No pain, no
disturbance; but strange langnor,
in which everything swan before her
eyes.
She heard Mr.. Steele urge calling
physician, but Mrs. Calista strenuously
opposed.
need drugs, but rest and relief from
excitement. Leave her to mel"
And Ruby, since she did not suffer,
and was SO heayy.headed, did not care
what was done, since they did not dis
turb her.
But the languor grew deeper. Day
and night were dream. In this trance
she sometimes SOW Mrs. Calista turning
something from vial into the glass
from which she drank, but she cared
not for this, and thought of nothing.
One day she sew John Stee!e's blue
! eyes bending over her.
"Darling-my little darling!" he
said, tenderly, "what ails you?"
| She was conscious of longing to- ease
the pity and pain in his face, but the
strange inertia hung upon her SO heav-
lily she could not lift lid or move
finger.
Then came o long blank, full of
strange dreams. Sometimes, in the
night, Mrs. Calista held feather to
her lips to see if she breathed. 1t was
long since food Lad passed them; she
only drank from spoon uron
her pillow. Aud it was always Mrs.
| SHIlSth HuO
| She missed the others, yet could not
dwell upon the thought of their alb
sence.
But one day piercing scream pene-
trated even her dulled ears. Before
her eyes struggled two figures. Mrs.
Calista held the glass ana the vial in
her hands. Mrs. Sllcott grasped firm.
| ~ her wrists, and called lond]y for
help.
"You are poisoning herl It is the
.truth! I have caught you! Help!
fielp!n
| John Steele rushed into the room.
Illnd the Two combined to restrain the
Etrenzied woman, who struggled niadly
I4o dash The yialupon the door.
+ But John Steele secured it, and read
i;he label with blanchiDg cheek. Then
| he closed his hand upon t,and direct
ling Mrs. Siicott to make no outcry,
but send for a physician, closed the
door upon the only witness OF Mrs.
Jallsta guilt, and sternIy faced the
woman alone.
"Why are you poisoning that limo.
cent child?"he demanded.
"Yon love her, and had loved you
madly for years. I have won your
fortune for you. You shall marry me;
never her?" was the reply.
"Dreadlul, infatuated woman!
Mad, indeed!" he cried. "Calists, I
could not love you, if you brought me
the wealth of the Indies. Horrible,
horrible Oh, If she dies, will give
you over to. the law-criminal that
you are!"
For moment he forgot her, and
stopped over Ruby's pillow. In that
instant Mrs. Calista slipped from the
room.
The physician came, and Mrs. Silcott
was stationed ut the patients bedside.
But Mrs. Calista's work was nearly ac-
complIshed. The breath OF life fut.
tered feebly on the girls lips, threat
ening at any instant to take its depar-
ture. Johu Steele himself threw wide
the windows, letting the strengthen.
ing breeze blow over those pale lips,
and administered nourishment with his
own hand They oil started when the
eyelids quivered and the breast
beaved; but it was with life, not
death, and the strong man trembled as
he turned away, with the murmur,
"Thank Godl" upon his lips.
All night the physician was in at-
tendance; but at dawn Ruby smited,'
and knew them all.
One morning John Steele lifted her
head upon his shoulder, bringing o
flush to that pure cheek with the ten
derest kisses.
Darling, you are safe now in my
care. Tell me, Ruby--could you learn
to love me?"
"Nc," che whispered; "because I
have loved you from the first
By.and-hy she asked for "that
dreadful womau."
"Gone. my precious. 1 let her go
gladly when 1 found she had not sue
ceeded in her terrible plan. You
would not wish her publicly pun
ished?"
tsNo nRrhv said Saturday Ninht.