The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-12

who had not wept for years before. Every one
one professed to know. Suspicion fell on La
Trappe, the generous La Trappe, who had nine
days before saved the life of her child at the mmi
nent risk OF his own. The very idea of his being
the murderer carried conviction of the contrary
with it, and yet no one was known to have been In
the cabin but him, added to which he was discoy-
cred near her with the Identical pistol IN his hand
Another circumstance went to prove his guilt
The pistol, when examined was found to have the
initials E. L. t., which stood for Eugene La
Trappe, engraved on the mounting. Here was cir
cu!nstantial evidence which satisfied many that he
was gnilty ofthe crime, however much they were
disinclined TO fix the stain upon him.
La Trappe Of course denied the charge, and in
denying it convinced ali that he was the assassin or
the beautiful sufferer before them. He declared
that he was asleep in his berth when the report of
the pistol aroused him from his sumbers. He
heard the cry OF go God, am murdered!" and
Immediately after saw, by the dim light which shone
from above, young, slender lad rush by him. He
sprung from his berth to seize him, but he was
gone; and seeing pistol on the floor, he pickedit
up and rushed to the ladies' cabin to defend the
person who had made the cry. He there heard
the voice Mrs. ST. Clair, and stood palsied with
horror when those above came down to her assis-
tance. This, in the face of Heaven, he declared
to be the truth,
The inquiry was made, and no lad was found to
be on board. The full conviction, therefore, in
voluntarily took possession of every breast that he
was the murderer; and accordingly, the unfortu-
nate La Trappe was put in irons and confined be-
low Dr. Mac Wash had stopped the bleeding
from the wound of the unfortunate victim, the
beautiful Mrs. st. Clair and no one could, in all
the wide range of probability, assign reason for
the inhuman and desperate deed. Some supposed
that La Trappe had suddenly conceived deep
passion for the fascinating woman, and that know
ing she was the wife of another, he had in mo-
moment offrenzled low determined that her charms
should not glad the heart of another, as he could
not possess the object himself. All seemed anxious
as soon as the storm had ahated, to hear from her
lips what she might know concerning the perpetra-
tor and the cause. But she knew nothing She
stated that she had been awakened when her hus-
band went ON deck, and persuaded him, from some
indetinabe fear, not to go; but that she had again
fallen asleep on her side, from which she was a.
reused by the report of the pistol and the anguish
Of the wound. The first object she recognized
was La Trappe, standing before her with the pistol
in his hand. She expressed conviction that she
would die the ball having lodged in the region of
the heart; and humbly implored of Heaven the for
giveness of him who had committed the dreadful
deed. She constantly expressed desire that her
husband should remain near her. as she had some-
thing to communicate in her dying moments. ST.
Clair, who was disuactedly pacing the deck, was
ntfOr 10 receive the last communication from his |
wife,
The storm had subsidized, and day was breaking
in the eastern Heavens when DR.. Mac Wash de-
cared that he had done a that he could do for the
guide woman, and that she maun die in little mair
than an hour or twa The dying woman called her
husband to her side
"You know" said she, weeping, ''that our mar
riage has proved unhappy and unfortunate, as
too well foresaw that it would prove. The Count,
your father, and the guardian the daughter ofhis
ancient friend committed an error in forcing me to
the arms of you, his eldes son, when my affections
were bestowed upon another. Though have en-
deavoured to render you happy, even when my
own heart was breaking with long endured misery;
and though, in your presence have endeavoured
to wear the appearance of contentment, and have
mingled with the giddy, and laughed with the gay
when there was no pleasure in my heart; yet can
not hide in death the horrid secret from you that
from childhood | devotedly loved your younger
brother, and that even when united to you loved
him best. My heart was firmly fixed upon him,
until you persuaded and finally prevailed upon his /;
ather to dsinherit Engebert nor then did for
iake him, until he was driven from his home, and
astly from his country Nor had yielded then,
,ut for the flial affection bore your father, the
of it, was aware that the union of my J
ortune with yours was the paramount object in the
'osom of those who advocated the marriage The e
ruel advantages which you took of the Inflated,
nd on my part beloved Engebert, have driven f
i'm in his youth an exile to, and perhaps wretch t.
n foreign land, and the curse pronounced by him v
ganst you has now been verified and accomplish "
d. 1t was rumoured in England that in the fear C
{ the vengeance of your brother, you had secret p
hired assassins to follow him to France and des-
atch him; but the story was so unnatural thatI
id not give it credit though the language ofy your t;
-oubled slumbers and the actions of your waking
ours have since inclined me to believe it, Un- Sc
nown to you, have sometimes shuddered and re- fe
oiled from your embrace as from the touch ofa "
erpent, though in mercy to you never divulged
was bound by the marriage vow to minister a,
your happiness and have lavshed caresses up e,