The Fatal Glove by Clara Augusta
page 30 of 169 (17%)
page 30 of 169 (17%)
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"Speak for heaven's sake!" he cried. "Am I dreaming?" "Remember the banks of the Seine!" said a singularly sweet voice, which sounded to Mr. Paul Linmere as if it came from leagues and leagues away. "When you sit by the side of the living love, remember the dead! Think of the dark rolling river, and of what its waters covered!" He started from the strange presence, and caught at a post for support. His self-possession was gone; he trembled like the most abject coward. Only for a moment--and then, when he looked again, the apparition had vanished. "Good God!" he cried, putting his hand to his forehead. "Do the dead indeed come back! I saw them take her from the river--O heaven! I saw her when she sank beneath the terrible waters! Is there a hereafter, and does a man sell his soul to damnation who commits what the world calls murder?" He stopped under a lamp and drew out his pocket-book, taking therefrom a soiled scrap of paper. "Yes, I have it here. 'Found drowned, the body of a woman. Her linen was marked with the name of Arabel Vere. Another unfortunate--' No, I will not read the rest. I have read it too often, now, for my peace of mind. Yes, she is dead. There is no doubt. I have been dreaming to-night. Old Trevlyn's wine was too strong for me. Arabel Vere, indeed! Pshaw! Paul Linmere, are you an idiot?" Not daring to cast a look behind him, he hurried home, and up to his |
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