Year: 1867

they were to have been married that
very spring. But what of that? 1t
was only an added proof of his duplicity
and wickedness; part of his deep laid,
cold blooded scheme. Things as Gu
rious as that had happened before many
a time; and while women were weak
and the passions of men strong they
would continue to happen. Poor Elsie
it would break her heart She had been
only passive tool in the hands of a
bad, designing man. Blind, foolish
Mrs. Ersten They hoped she would
not be duped into a belief of his inno-
cence, even if he escaped the just pen
atty of the law. What horrible thing
it would be for her to marry her hus-
bands murderer!


And SO the wise men had it. They
carried the day unanimously. Their
conclusions were as far off as the stars !;
yet they jumped at them, and the whole
community jumped admiringly after,
until there were only two in the town
left to believe in the accused mans in-
nocence. One of these was, of course,
his betrothed, Elsie Hamilton; the 9TH
er was the widow Ersten.


And yet the two women did not
sympathize. When they met the
glance that flashed from the face to face
was hard and hot as the fire struck out
from steel. At any other time the
look might have expressed only jealousy.
But circumstances gave it subter
meaning. Ga one side it was horror,
lothing, fear; on the other hatred,
bitter, intense, deathless.


Except his lawyer no one visited the
prisoner during the first two weeks cf
his confinement. He had begun to
think there were none in all the world
who cared to believe him guiltless,
when one morning his cell door swung
open and a lady entered The young
mans face lighted gloriously; bright
ness, almost unnatural shot into his
gloomy eyes; smile divinely tender
relaxed his pale mouth.


'Elsie!' he cried, springing forward,
4 feared you were not coming to me at
all


His visitor seemed to shrink before
his voice as though it hurt her. For
the first time he noticed that she was
clothed in mourning apparel from head
to foot, and wore heavy veil The
smile faded from his face; the light
went out in his eyes. He retraced his
steps wearily and with look of disar-
pointmert.


'Am / then unwelcome? ? murmured
musical voice, reproachfully; when |
have braved the tong"e of scandal for
nothing but the sake of telling you |
have faith in your innocence? You are
cruel


No, no; not unwelcome, Mrs Frs
ten, he answered, with a smile as
courteous as though he stood in her
drawing-room, instead of a felon's cell.
1 should indeed be ungrateful,' be
added, little bitter y, since you are
the first who has shown even friendly
interest in my welfare


1T cannot be !! Surely they are rot
all so false; they dare not treat you so
cruelty. You have some friends ?


The tone was one of surprise-soft
and plying as an angels. The pris-
oner's head sank moodiy on his breast


They are not worth your sorrow,
then |, at least will prove faithful if
you will let me-


The nlelodious voice had descended
to a whisper. Thus far she bad kept
her face hidden behind her vail but
she pushed the heavy Grape folds aside
as she spoke. and advanced toward him.
Her brilliant beauty seemed to startle
him, flashing out from her sable sur
roundings. He had looked to see her
white and thin Instead of that, her
eyes were lustrous, her brow smooth,
her cheeks flushed, and her mouth
smiling. Disengaging her hand from
its glove, she let her rosy palm fall softly
upon his hands and rest there.


You have suffered she said, scan
ming his face eagerly; suffered, and
blamelessly.'


You do not think me guilty then? 2


Think you are guilty l knol0 you
are not =


There was something so positive in
the words that he glanced up at her
quickly The inquiry in his look seem
ed to startle her. She breathed hard
and fast, changing color, and lifted her
hand nervousl y to her face.


ANY one might know it who could
look once in your good, true, fearless
eyes, she said, after a troubled pause.


He gave her grateful smile


You, who have the most right of all
the world to be cruel, you alone are
kind = he exclaimed.


She let her hand drop down to his
again, and stroked them softly.


'Who were you expecting when I
came in p


mo one,' was the almost sullen
answer


'Ah, but you were. Do not be 9TH
erwise than frank with me. And do
not let the knowledge pain you, dear
friend; but fear the woman you have
loved is among the first to credit your
guilt and cast reproaches on your name


Her listeners face darkened His
mouth worked convulsively, yet he
could not speak.


His anguish was too mighty for ut
terance. Mrs. Ersten did not try to
comfort him with words; womanly tact
taught her better. But her spoke