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 lifted up the body of the unfortunate girl and threw it over the low railing of the bridge into the rippling water beneath.