Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1909-04-01
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK

pass over the happy days that
followed. We were to have been
soon married, when one morning my
grandfather, the kind promoter and
sympathizer IN our happiness, was
found dead in his bed, and 1 be-
came the orphan heiress of his
wealth.
Maurice urged an immediate mar
riage; but l refused to abate day
of my year of mourning, and invit-
ing a staid old relative to come and
remain with me, resigned myself
to months of patient retirement
and preparation for the happy event
that should terminate 1t.
Upon this peaceful and monoton-
GUS calm fell one day a terrible in
terruption, crushing blow. / re-
ceiyed letter-stay, l will give
1t. Thus it ran:
do you know, fair, proud one
whose feet touch the earth as II
they spurned it, whose hi ughty
eyes wander over your fellow-men
as II you saw them not---do you
know that the mark of shame was
branded upon that white brow be-
fore you were born? Do you know
that your father was poor tutor,
who repaid his benefactors toler-
ance with the rankest treachery
and ingratitude? That your moth
er-well, perhaps you never heard
the name that the world would give
to your mother. Do you know that
your grandfather, reused at last to
the knowledge of his shame, killed
the villain who had injured him,
even in the arms of the poor fool
he had betrayed, and that she, in
the shock of that moment, lost the
little wit she ever owned, and re-
NAMED from that moment to the
moment of your birth and her death
moping, moving idiot? Do you
know that in one of your stately
mansions is an, apartment known
as the Chamber to the East and
that upon its floor is deep red
stain-the stain of your fathers
blood? Would you read all this,
given in the dry detail of an Off
cial examination, as | have done?
All your grandfather made sure
that the papers were destroyed long
years ago. but he did not know
that one had read them first, who
now profits by the knowledge to
strike straight and deep at the heart
of the naughty girl who has slight
ed him more than once. For all this
that you know, my fair one, Maui
rice Burton also knows; and he has
been furnished with proofs, as we'll
as assertions. Discuss the history
together. 1t will vary the monotony
of lovers talk"
Such was the letter. Whence it
came. neither knew nor cared.
The blow had struck home, and the
hand that dealt 1t was UNDECIDED.
| waited for Maurice that evening
with fierce Impotence. receiv-
cd him alone and my eyes devoured
the meaning of his face. 1t was very
pale, but calm. The conflict was
over-love had conquered pride.
From then till the day of his death
he never would have alluded to the
miserable secret. But no such reti-
cence was mine. spoke briefly,
coldly:
Maurice, you have received a
letter today. Did it contain proofs
as well as assertions?"
Dearest"
No; answer me please. Were
there proofs?"
Il believe SOL don't know
do not care. Why urge such ques-
tions?"
Because must have the truth.
Tell me if indeed you love me, is
this story true?'
What matter, Rosalind? True
or false, it cannot soil you, my own
pure angel"
And you can torture me thus?
Answer me, for the love of God! is
this story true or false?"
Il fear it is true, darling; but
Nay; let me go. am ILL.,"
moaned /, rushing from the room
to lock myself into my chamber.
l did not sleep that night; but