herself, and the
nurse does not suspect his design. Now he has given her the poison, and
she is writhing in an agony of pain. He professes to be much afflicted,
and, oh, heavens! with the treachery of Judas, he attempts to kiss her!
Now it is all over; with one last, reproachful look, she has passed to
that land where 'the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at
rest.' She is dead, _and her husband is her murderer_."

"Oh! for God's sake, spare me, spare me!" exclaimed Mrs. Thayer, between
her sobs. "I cannot listen to the description of such a death-bed scene
without horror. I know I have been very guilty, but I shall try to make
amends in the future. Have pity on me, I beg of you, and do not
overwhelm me with such terrible scenes."

"You must hear all," said Lucille, firmly. "There are two more acts in
this tragedy to which you must listen; the first is a weird scene in a
church-yard by night, and the clear starlight only half reveals the
actors; there are three men engaged in digging at this woman's grave;
yes, even in death, her body cannot rest in peace. Near by lies the
corpse of another woman, whose cold, white face is turned up mutely to
the silent stars; now the men reach the coffin and try to drag it from
the grave. What is their object? Ah! I see! they wish to substitute one
corpse for the other, so that the poison will never be discovered in
case of an inquest upon the body of the murdered woman. Suddenly three
other men rush upon the grave-diggers before they have been able to pull
the coffin from the grave; a chase ensues, and pistol-shots are fired;
but finally the resurrectionists escape, though they have been foiled
in their purpose. The last scene is the inquest: the coffin is brought
in, but the murderer dare not look upon the face of his victim; a sham
investigation is held, and he is cleared by the verdict of the jury; but
other watchful eyes have been regarding the proceedings; keen detectives
have been at work, and they now step in, unknown to the public, and take
quiet possession of the corpse; the stomach is removed for analysis, and
a chemist of great reputation takes charge of it; poison has been found;
positive proof of your lover's guilt have been obtained, and he will
suffer the penalty of his crime. You also are in danger, but if you tell
the truth, you will be saved."

As Lucille impetuously placed before Mrs. Thayer the occurrences which
my investigations had disclosed, it se