Year: 1878

her very nature ought to have been pure
and unspotted-one who might have
been as better angel to the man. whose
help she solicited in the preparation of
a crime for which the innocent could but
weep. Yet. Notwithstanding the regrets
for their wrong doing, the wicked pair,
entered quickly into conversation. in
which hate and even death was COM



The woman spoke first. unfolding the
plan with which she desired him to as
sist her. He waited until she had
finished speaking. then he told her OF
plan which he had concocted. and which
he thought would answer her purpose,
and would also be an advantage or
rather an assistance to him.


He gave Florence a vial containing a
drug. which he said would do her part OF
the work admirably. Then telling her
to leave the rest to him. they parted for
the night.


Florence meant to dispatch old Hagar.
Ind her object in meeting this man was
to consul. him. her willing accomplice.
US to the easiest possible means of ac-
complishing her desire. She went to
her room and retired Immediately.


The man went out OF the garden
stealthiiy as he came. never dreaming
that concealed in the shrubbery imme
diately behind the summer house, was
listener. who heard their whole con-
versation.


This person fingered until he was sure
the inmates OF the bower were we'll
out OF hearing, then he left the garden
precipitately.


l, is strange. yet nevertheless true,
that God permits the wicked for time
to enjoy perfect and sweet repose. |
have often thought that this was allowed
that the awakening from pleasureable
dreams might be all the more misera-
BILE, thus measuring out to them the re-
ward which they justly merit


And Hsgar. poor unsuspicious crea-
ture. WAS sleeping too. The plying
angel saw and heard what passed, yet
it was not given him the power to


warn her Therefore Hagar slept on.


undlsturbed, never dreaming of what


another days evil would impose on her.


Ever snce the colonel's departure Flor


ence had been unusually sweet and


affable to all, particularly so to Hagar.


The next day however, Florence seem


ed lonesome and restless IN the evening


She sang and played until supper was


ready, she ate quickly and sparingly,


telling Hagar as she poured ou, the tea,
that it was SO lonesome she had nc


appetite, and that il she stayed there


much longer, she believed she would
die with the blues, and she thought thai


in the tail she would 60 back to London
She very well knew that this piece o
Intelligence would please Hagar anc
that was why she said 1t.


; While Berenice lived, Hagar wa!


allowed always to come to the dining


room, night and morning. for her cup o


tea, when the master and mistres:


had finished their meal. and Miss Berry


knew Just how Hagar liked it. and woul.


before leaving the room make her cul


OF tea After the mistress died the colone


did not interfere with this privilege, and


OF course. Florence gave the usual cul


of tea. Tonight the old servant drank


her tea in silence. thinking over thu


happy probability of Florence leaving
them. 1t her tea did not taste as it ought


it was nothing more than she expected


for there was no one tha, could make
cup of tea like her dearMIss Berry, M
they couldn't


The next morning Florence wa


awakened early by an unusual stir ant
noise below. She very readily guessed


the cause. though she kept Innocent.


quiet until Grace. her attendant. rushed


into the room speechless almost wit


fright, and telling Florence all in
breath, that Hagar was dead, sure; an
: Henry was away. having gone to Brook
, lyn Oh business for the master, and ther
was Dick, the new butler, who did no
, have sense enough to attend to tn


burying OF anyone.


I, Florence bade Grace be quiet an


assist her to dress. and she would &


down and have every thing properly a
= tended to. Il guess" said Grace ''yo
don't know what you are talking abor
;, , doing Miss Florence. tor who ever hear


of the like of you going to see the coli


man. or laying any one out"
At this Florence exclaimed imp:
= tiently. "Grace, for PHYS sake hush you
, nonsense and dress me-" To do Flor
O ence justice. I must say that she wa
. slightly nervous. When she was dresse
she went Immediately to Hagar's room
where the old woman was, apparent
: dead.


d With the assistance of Grace and til
J, house maids Florence performed tn
: solemn duty ofpreparing the dead fe
b the grave They clothed her in mic
It black suit. present from Miss Berenic'
e years ago. Grace proposed calling
n some of Miss Florences friends to ASST
}. her: this Florence positively refused
}, do, saying that Hagar was old. an
r there was no use IN making such ad


over anything, for II Hagar was dea
J. they could not bring her toliie. Havin
|. laid her out quite decently. Florence pl
q her hat on and went out, leaving order
y for no one to be admitted into Hagar
: room while she was gone.


It A few squares from the coloners res
: dence. she met by appointment her vi
Q itor of the night before. She gave hi1
e money and told him to 60 to the unde
:. takers, with the injunction to be quic
n Then she returned hastily to the hous
9 In comparatively short time ma
q came with the coffin. In passin
e through the door he struck the face {


tho coffin against the door knob An