The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-08-03
the will, but by kind of secret mechan-


ism.
Suddenly this deathly countenance al.
tered its expression the lips ceased to
tremble; the eyes became animated. An
unknown person stood before the countess.
1t WAS Hermann.
"Bc not afraid, nadame,' said he in q
low voice, but carefully accentuating every
word. "For the love Of God be not afraid ;
l intend you not the slightest harm. On
the contrary, it is favor come to ask of
you."
The old woman gazed at him in silence,
as if she did not understand him. He
thought she was deaf, and, putting his
lips close to her ear, repeated his words.
The countess still preserved silence
at is in your power" continued Her
man, "to insure the happiness Of my whole
life, and without its costing you anything
| know that you can tell me three cards
which -" Hermann paused. The
countess without doubt, knew what he
wanted !; perhaps she was seeking for an
answer. She spoke.
at is all a joke-upon my word, a
joke! !"
mo, madame" replied Herman in
tone Of anger; ut is not so. Remember
Tchaplitzki, whom you enabled to win
-. The countess seemed affected {:
for an instant her features expressed strong
emotion, but soon resumed their dull, i'm
passive aspect.
"Can you not" said Hermann, point
out to Inc the three winning cards 2"
The coun ess remained silent, and he
continued.
"Why should you preserve ills secret
For your grandchildren They are rich
enough without that : they don't know
the value of money. OF what use would
your three cards be to them They are
spendthritts and he who does not know
how TO keep his patrimony, will die in in
digence had he all the knowledge of all the
devils at his command. | am, on the
contrary, careful man. know the
H<artle qfso,epor --Snmr- tl,raa our.ls will
He stopped, and uemblingly awaited
her answer. The countess did not utter a
word.
Hermann threw himself on his knees.
madame" lie cried, "if your heart has
ever known what it is to lovc--if you
have ever heard the cry Of a newborn
babe If ever human sentiment stirred
your bosom-l besccch you, by the love
| Of q husband, Of a lover, of u mother, by
all that is most sacred in our existence
do not reject my prayer-reveal your Sc
cret to me! What is iti Perhaps it j:
connected with some terrible sin-witt
the loss Of your eternal happiness! Have
you not made some fatal compact? Thinl
well of it: you are very old, and canno
have long to live! am ready t. tax
all your sins upon myself-to he responsi
bic for them before God! Tell me you
secret Reflect that the happiness Of
man is in your hands--that not only
but my children, even my grandchildren
will bless your memory, and venerate yo
like saint"
, Still the countess did not utter a syll
c BILE.
: Hermann rose.
/ "Accursed old woman ~ lie eXclaime
grinding his teeth, II will make you speak
= and he drew a pistol from his pocket.
e At the sight of the pistol the counte
X for the second time betrayed strol
r emotion. She shook her head more '
It hemenuy than ever, stretched out Ii
Ie hands as if to push the weapon aside, a
h then suddenly falling back, remained p
O. fectly motionless.
le "Come," said Herman, selling her
ID the hand, "leave off this chld's play.
ly adjure you for the last time. Will y
Sc tell me the three cards l--yes or no"
in The countess did not answer; and ii
~ mann now saw that she was dead
ed