Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-11-16
snmed Doorcal sahib-..because you

sulnei Doorgal because you
cannot believe in me, and seek to dis
cover treachery lurking in my speech
Danish these foolish fears! Consent to
become my wife, and promise to full
i fill all the formalities prescribed by
| your laws and by your religion, to
make sure the links of an indfssoluble
union. You see, Agnes, that am sim
cere-you see that my love. however
! ardent it may be, is not wanting in re-
| spect. You see. moreover. that my
dearest and most imperious desire is to
make you my Wife,
You we'll know that it is impossi-
blc.'
And why?"
because 1 have given my heart to
George Malcolm"
But" cried Doorgal, "Gcorge Mall
colin is dead!'
Murdered by you-is it not so:''
by me or by another. what matters
it. provided he may no longer be my
rival:"
"If George Malcolm is still living"
answered Agnes, with feveriSh intens-
ity. II am his betrothed! If he has
ceased to live. am his widow.
You will forget him."
"Never.''
AT your age, ono does not shut a
tomb within the heart. You will take
back that heart, to give it to me-
do you. then. know some magic" "
she asked her eyes fearlessly meeting
his. "'sufticicntly potent to convert into
love the hate and disdain with which
you inspire me-"
These words. pronounced with bitter
irony. developed beyond control the an
ger which Sullenly lurked in the IN:
iah's soul. His eyebrows met in a
threatening arch. i: burning crimson
ovcrspread lis face. and lightning
lcaped from his eyes.
"Impudcnt child" he cried, in a
fierce and threatening tone, you defy
me? Take care!"
what have | to fear:' answered
Agnes God protects me-
You forget that you are i'll my
hands
"No; but | also remember that you
are in tho hands Of GOd!'
Il supplicatc. when / might COM
mand-I entreat. when it depends upon
myself to execute my will. Agnes. As-
nes. take carr!
What can YOU do? Kill me-tllat is
all. For. however powerful you may
be. defy you to make me submissive
to your hated love-
Yes; l can kill you: and, if you per-
sist in your obstinancy, will do it!''
do it. then! 1t is the only benefit.
the sole mercy. that it is possible for
me to expect from you! Kill me- Door
gal Sahib-llill me quickly! will bless
you, you will send me to rejoin
Gcorge.''
For IL second or two the raiah stood
mute and lettering. like 81 man who
has Just received, aimed at his heart, q
terrible blow.
He soon recovered himself. although
his voice w:ls almost indiStinct as he
questioned:
Between the tomb. then, and my
love. you will choosc:'
:''l'hc ionb!' answered the young
girl; and do me the honor to rest con-
WINGED that | should not hcsitate!!''
".Ah. we'll. SO be it,
Agnes recommended her soul to God.
She expected to see Doorgal draw his
dagger and plunge it in her breast. In
stead. he approached the table and
struck the bell.
a. movement followed behind the
hnngin@s. and Myndha appeared. car
lying ON lie vermillion plate the flask
of silver and the goblet OF gold. She
put these ON the table and departed.
Doorgal. advancing. took the flask
and filled from it the goblet
Drink" he said. offering it to Agnes
-'drink.''
us it tle;lrh:" she asked
ut is death: but there is yet time to
escape it, Say but one word, and you
shall live and be llappy-
Agnes clutcllcd the goblet. crying. 81
drink"
She carried ii to her lips and emptied
ii NJ Il drnuSht.
II am frec." sire exclaimed. in ac-
cents of moulnful triumph. hurting the
cup at the lIiah'S feet. II die by you.
as did my h"trothrd. Doorgal Sahib.
be ;lcrurSri"'