PLOT FOR A NEW NOVEL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1583, 1 April 1887, Page 4

PLOT FOR A NEW NOVEL.

Paul Denton and Mabel Presland, boy and girl lovers. At the age of siiteen Mabel becomes heiress to a large fortune and goes abroad. Lapse of four years. Paul goes to liv 6in London. By chance he meets Mabel in company with a gentleman, Mr. Hubert Norris. After this Paul sees Mabel frequently; he desires her to look upon him as formerly: she cannot, she is the fiancee of Hubert Dejection of PauL Sympathy and pity of Mabel. Paul safes Hubert's life. The time for the wedding approaches, Paul resolves to leave the country. On the eve of the wedding he comes to say a last good-bya He begs some little keepsake, and obtains a tiny lace handkerchief she has in her hand. Hubert, coming to see Mabel, hears voices. As he passes the window he looks in. Surprised at scene before him. Mabel, seated with her head buried in her bands, appears to be weeping. Paul appears to be making an earnest appeal. He sees her give him the handkerchief, also kiss her forehead and hasten from the room. Mad with jealousy he resolves to confront him and demand an explanation. Paul denies all evil intentions. Hubert snatches the handkerchief. It tsars in two, each retaining half. He strikes Paul, throwing him to the ground. Paul's head strikes a stone, killing him almost instantly. Remorse and 11 pentance of Hubert, who flies from the scene. Next day Hubert and Mabel are married, and depart for their

honeymoon. It is winter—enow falls j heavily—half buries the body, and hides all marks that would lead to discovery. Lapse of three days, when the body was found by a farmer. Police uoable to find any clue to the perpetrator of the crime. Paul has a sister, Miriam, who now appears on the scene. She is a passionaue woman, loves her brother devotedly, and vows to avenge him. Lapse of a month— Miriam is at the grave. She sees a man (Hubert) come into the churchyard. She retires to the porch of the cuhrch and hears him utter words to this effect: " And this is my gratitude, 0 Paul, my friend." She approaches him, he e tarts and recognises her (she resembles Paul greatly). Agitation and confusion of Hubert, who makes himself known, and explains that Paul was a great friend to whom he was indebted for his life. Miriam becomes acquainted with Mabel, who is drawn towards her for Paul's sake, and engages her as companion. Miriam is alone in the library. A drawer in Hubert's desk is open. Miriam is attracted by a piece of white lace in it. She lifts it out and sees the missing handkerchief. Remembering the scene at the grave and Hubert's manner towards her, she resolves to fulfil her vow. Mabel enters. Miriam accuses Hubert of the crime. Mabel denies it angrily. Hubert enters, sees he is discovered, and falls half unconscious to the llocr. Miriam accuses and threatens him. Mabel pleads for mercy, and shows how that disgrace attached to Hubert is also attached to her, and that Paul would have shielded her from barm, even with the life Miriam wishes too avenge. Mabel prevail?. Miriam promises to forego her threat, and as an earcest of it, destroys the handkerchief by fire. The story ends. Mabel and Hubert leave the scene of sorrow and shame, and Miriam returns to her native town to devote her life to the interest of her neighbours. nnnm—■——i—»