light.

"I cannot stop to listen further to such language, and must bid you
good evening," said Emerence, drawing herself up haughtily, and
turning to leave the bridge.

"Stop where you are and listen to me," cried Nat sharply, and with
his right hand he grasped the wrist of the shrinking girl.

"Nat Toner!" at last said Emerence boldly, "remove your hand from my
wrist, or I will call for help, and then perhaps your conduct will
meet with its just punishment."

"Utter one word, at your peril. I have something to say to you, and
you must listen to me," said Nat, releasing his hold, and glaring
fiercely at the brave girl who stood before him.

"I will listen to nothing further from you to-night. Stand aside and
let me pass," said Emerence firmly, and again turning to leave the
bridge.

"Emerence Bauer, listen to me I say. I have something to tell you
that concerns that lover of yours, Henry Schulte, and you shall hear
what I have to say."

At the mention of Henry's name Emerence stopped, and thinking that
perhaps she might serve her lover by remaining, she said:

"I will hear you, Nat Toner, but be as brief as possible."

"Aha! for the sake of your dear Henry, you will listen to me. I
thought so. Do you know that he is my enemy till death; that the
insults which he has heaped upon me can only be washed away by blood;
and that you, my haughty beauty, alone can satisfy the hate I bear to
Henry Schulte and the revenge I have sworn against him?"

"Nat Toner, what do you mean?" tremblingly inquired the affrighted
girl, unable to stir.

Ah, well might she tremble now! There was murder in the flashing of
those wicked black eyes that glared upon her, and the distorted,
pallid face before her showed too plainly the passions of his heart,
as he answered:

"What do I mean? I will tell you! I loved you, Emerence Bauer, and I
hate Henry Schulte for the insult he has put upon me. You scorn my
love, and Henry Schulte must pay the penalty. He shall never possess
you, for--I mean to kill you!"

With a wild shriek, that rang through the air as the cry of a
frightened bird, Emerence turned to flee from the fiend before her.
But, alas, too late! The murderous weapon came down with a dull,
heavy crushing sound upon that fair, girlish head, and she fell
lifeless at the feet of the madman who had slain her.

[Illustration: "_She fell lifeless at the feet of the madman who
had slain her._"]

Without uttering a word Nat Toner