The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-04-28

wnat OeIter assurance 10 give you than
TO inform you of my own engagement
which is only waiting my lovers return
from see 70 be ratified. Therefore. with
many thanks, win decline your bea.-
tiful Offering"
Ny words had hit the mark. He had
not expected . little country girl 70
meet him upon equal ground, and dark
red flush overspread his handsome face.
Then his own generous nature con-
quered a. he said:
AT least, Miss Rita. I may proffer this
as q wedding gift" f'-'
As such felt could not refuse II, but
he went on:
"Only one thing ask, that myself
may place It on your arm"
Then. taking IL up, he slipped It upon
her wrist. where II fastened with a 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, "and I-shall have only this
in memory" holding up the key for one
moment. then pressing his lips upon 1t
and again consiguing 1t to it's hiding
place.
was still sitting where he had left
me. II was early in the evening, and l
had refused to 90 back to the house,
when some one whose football l had not
heard stood before me. Glancing up, the
moons rays fell full on Ross face. With
n glad cry Of delight sprang to my
feet, but, white and stern and still, he
waved me back.
"I have been home one hour" he said
quietly. at seems to me year. Twas
told you were here with your lover.
Where is he that may share the con-
gratulations have come to offer you?"
"Ross!" I said. what do you meanf
Have you no welcome for me?"
WELCOMED" he exclaimed, "and where
Is mine? The star to which my yearn-
ing eyes have nll these months been
I turned"
"Ross. you have heard falsely. DO not
be so cold. so stern to little Rita. Have
you not 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 aud let me sob out my con-
fession on his heart, when his glance
fell on tho bracelet clasping my arm.
Again the tiger in him lenped to bay.
"And what 10 this?" he said. fiercely.
"This token Of your falsehood that you
dare haunt In my sight. II 10 like .
woman. They would murder with
smile. Do you know that I too could
murder? Yes, your very youth. your
very beauty. could crush as the flower
beneath my heel. Take of that bauble
and fling It into the sea!~
Il cannot, Ross. I said. "Itis locked.
He has the key"
Curse him!"he muttered Then Il is
to him must look. He has locked II,
but by the heavens above will unlock
II, II to get the key have to strangle
him." And. leaving me stunned. hope
less, wretched where stood. he strobe
away.
As l lay wakeful. pale and repentant.
next morning, my mother entered my
room with an awful pallor on her face.
I think before she opened her lips l
knew all, knew that Ross-my lover. my
promised husband-was murderer,
and that my soul must stand with his
ut 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 a
blow. an answering blow. o scufile 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
I unlocked the golden thing which had
wrought such evil, and sat down to
live through the dark days Of my lovers
trial. II was very short, and each hour
was bringing II to its close. There could
be little doubt Of the verdict. He had
murdered one man. had murdered
two!
On the last day Of his trial I reused
from my apathy to write him the whole
unswerviug truth.
II took It as my wedding gift, Ross, "
said in closing. "You may believe me
now. since all my life Is wrecked, nor
have I saved from II even your love-"
The jury were out celebrating. Ross
life was in their hands. This was the
one ever-present torturing thought
when q great shout broke the oppres-
sive stiffness. What could It mean? I
knew not, and dared not hope, until
until the messenger Of the glad tidings
came to us. Tho 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 passing boat he had returned to
wreak the noble revenge Of striking of
his enemy's fetters. All this I heard
as In o dream, then the waves Of uncon.
sciousness engulfed me and knew no
more. For long weeks I lived over in
delirium the tragic scenes which had so