The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-04-29

with my pick and shovel in hand.
which had caught up as We passed
by the clubhouse where I had kept
them. Il was terrible work. but In less
time than ! had ever used a spade be-
fore the newly;made grave was opened.
the coffin rlfled OF lta precious contents.
which Rex and carried TO our home.
wrapped up In a huge shawl which |
had brought for the purpose
"Eh. my! But It was the uncanniost
nights work that ever I did since the
hour ! was bornl We laid the body on
my bed, and We ehafed the cold. white
hands. and listened IN vain at tho
pulseless heart. But saw no sign OF
life. She was as beautiful as a figure
OF alabaster and as llfeless. for aught
] could see. bu, Rex declared that she
was not dead.
so, as Il was necessary that
should restore the empty coffin and OH
In the grave again. was Obliged 10
leave him there. on his knees beside
her. wildly kissing the poor cold hands
and calling upon her 10 open her love
" eyes 10 see her lover by her. But
] had no hope that anything but some
fearful trouble would come OF Il. and
marvellng and terrified as TO what
might be the end OF the business,
hasiened away to the work that await.
ed me.
but they were right. and. like
stupid old man. was WRONG. for
when returned the ,rance-llke sleep
was broken. and the soul had awak-
ened within that apparently llfeless
form. and the lovers sat holding each
others hands. her head resting on his
shoulder. while he sought 10 calm the
fearful agitation which had taken pos
session OF her nov that she began 10
realize the horror OF all that had hap.
pened.
"Ah' that was a brave GIRL and a
story-Writor might on a volume with
her history and all she went through
In those few months from the time
Of her irst meeting with Rex ti.l this
awful night But ! must cut Il short.
Tor the nlght Is coming on. To be
brief. then She hal never told Rex
half. or Indeed tCuth-par, OF what
she suffered Win those wicked rela-
lions OF hers. especially the cousin who
wanted TO marry her
AT last their persecution reached a
point when she could bear no more,
and she discovered plot by which she
was to be hurried away 20 Italy. I'M
known TO any one. aud she know well
that she would never see Rex again
In this world u this plan should be car
ried out She was In despair.
"The Italian saw that she had dis
covered the plot. and she was immedl-
ately locked In her room. all communl.
cation with the outer world cut OF.
Even her maid was In the pay Of her
relatives. as she knew. but the glrl
seemed to love her personally. and.
driven to the last extremity. she found
herself Obliged TO make a conndant OF
her. and 20 trust her lie to this girls
| discretion.
"she proved worthy. and gave het
entire assistance TO her young mistress.
They concocied the desperate plan.
which. by means OF some mysterious
Italian drug. they managed 90 carry
out. with such result a. I have de-
scrlbed. and while ! was listening Ia
story more wonderful than any 70.
nance had ever read. this same faith.
fol servant Joined us.
- found the door open. she said
10 the signorina. and hearing yolcos
knew all Was well. and came directly
here.
But u was easy to see from the
young lady's agitation that all was no,
we'll. and ! guessed that u some
change vas not coming soon she was
In danger Of dying In earnest from ex.
element and consequent exhaustion.
Ny mind was speedily made up. /
knew our minister 10 be one good man
picked out OF ten thousand. and was
soon at his bedside. telling him the
whole story while I helped him to
dress
Never have I seen man more
dazed but he soon took In the sltua-
ton. and helped us out OF our perplex-
ly. lie went With me directly. aud a
special license was obtained a, once by
Rex. 80 that next day the young couple
were married and driven by me Gin the
ministers onc-horse carriagel to dis
tant railway station.
"Of course. need not say that Maria.
the maid. accompanied them. She had
proved herself invaluable ln bringing
clothes 90 her mistress. and box Of
valuable jewels
THE mex, day there was a great hue
and CRY over the disappearance OF
Maria. whom the Italians called a THE.
and a monster OF ingrau,uic. but they
never suspected the real cusc % the
girls running away. All this happened
years ago. cir, but ! hear from my
nephew now that his wife is at length
so s,rorf and well that they are coins
TO make their appearance before IN,
Italian cousin. and claim the signor.
mas great fortune. which that villalr
had been enjoying ever since his re-
tusn 10 Italy,