Year: 1876

of a serpent"


"Serpents have stngs, but no con-
science. You have little to fear. By
Jupiter, | acted my part as brother
famously; or rather UNANIMOUSLY. Sweet


little dupe, her love and tenderness al


most drove me mad with the fear, oi


losing her-of failing to put Gray in
your clutches, safe out of my way. By


the way, Rose, / learned from my


Doctor this morning that your coveted
idol has recently come in possession
of an immense fortune. legacy left


by bachelor Uncle. / guess he'll
need it to-"


Hush, cousin God only knows
how earnestly | have prayed for him
for her, and for my own poor lost and
wretched soul And yet must not,
cannot turn back. | am lost ] lost r.


BE composed, poor, frightened
child; trust me and promise to gain
her pardon for my action in the thing,
and I will not prosecute


I "Oh ! thank you. Rolly; but now /
must go. I shall not see you again un-
til after the trial-keep your promise,
l must see Lutte, she must not go to
the cell again. Good morning Cousin"


Good day, little coward. You are
true to your sex-run into danger and
then throw up your hands and cry out
enoughln


But Rosie was too late, for Lutte,
after sleepless night, passed in striv-
ing to soothe her aching heart, fingered
moment in prayer, then placed the
food intended for herself In basket
and hurried to Walters gloomy abode.
Accompanied by the jailor she entered
to behold the portrait of despair iu
her lover, once so noble, brave and
proud. The sight of her made his
eyes fash so full of hate and revenge
that it frightened her; she hesitated a
moment, then timidly came forward
and rendered the basket that was filled
with all that would tempt the appetite,
saying Accept this, Mr.. Gray,
though offered by one thatyou deem"


Away from my sight, false girl l
accept nothing from your hand, even
though it be something to sustain life
and life depended on it Away-but
stop-look at this" Tossing the note
at her, he turned but she had not time
to pick it up when he grasped it again,
saying: "You know all that it con-
tains and 1 will not betfay my only
friend


'Oh, Walter Walter for the sake
of Heaven and the angels, if not for
my bleeding heart, unfold your secret.
o, believe me ignorant if not innocent
ofthe sin Ihave committed. Angels"


Leave me, woman, before commit |
crime deeper and darker than you
have already forced me to-"


Not giving her time to reply, he
pushed her from him, when the jailor
led her away saying: You, miss, are
too young, tender and beautiful to risk |
contamination here"


With one long searching glance into
his eyes. as if to find pity, she turned
away, leaving the basket, for she felt |
sure that the contents would tempt |
him to eat. She retraced her steps /
homeward, resolved to see him no more
for the last interview was more than
her pride could endure With a heavy
heart she entered her private room.
Falling on her knees, to the Great God
she breathed prayer that gurgled
forth with the bitterest tears. Rising
she saw before her Rose, who had
slipped in unnoticed Throwing her
arms about the slender form of the
innocent girl, she begged her to listen
to duty aud reason-to forget-not to
love and visit criminal.


Rosie, l have just returned from
visit to him and you may spare farther
advice and entreaty, for met such
cold-such cruel reward-for my love
and kindness that | have resolved /
never to see him again. He is cruelty
unjust and shall strive to forget him,
though [ die broken hearted wo-
man


Lutte dropped her face in her hands
and failed to see the shudder of pain
and remorse that swept over the beau
tiful face of her friend.


Lutte, dear, you can forget Wo-
men are endowed with strength and
power surprising that Of man, to meet
the tidal shocks of life Her heart
seldom breaks under the merciless
weight of misfortune.


Yes, Rose, self control is beau
tiful virtue, but does she suffer less
because she smiles while she tugs with
giant strength to remove the weight
that is crushing her? Does the mirth-
full tone of her voice make less bitter
the great ocean of tears, shed in secret?
Tears that mark lifetime-that rob
the eye of its brightness, and the cheek
of its color. But, Rosie, he has cruel
ly trifed with me, and since is not even
courteous, and | promise you that to-
day / will begin again the great battle
to hide from the curious gaze of the
world this insane love for one whom
in future | shall think of only in my
prayers. "


'Ah! Lutte, only those who for love
swallow the burning Goals of guilt,
can know what it is to suffer"


But, Rosie, pardon and indulge
this one wish, go to him for me and
learn the cause-the-may God for