The true Democrat., 1855-09-04

q circumstance occurred that increased her agi- tatlon. While at breakfast a message came rom the cook asking to see me alone. l de SHod hum to come in, Gas 1 was not in the habit ol interfering m domestic ailalrs,) and commu- nicate his business in her presence. When the man entered he was pale as a ghost, and scarce. ly seemed to know what he was about At last he told me he had received packet con tanning q small bottle, three hundred guildey, and note, in which he was requested to put the contents of the former into the first herring pie he should prepare for me. He was assured that he might do so without fear, as the con tents of the bottle was quite harmless, and would give delicious flavor to the pie. And an additional reward was promised if he compiled with the request and kept his own counseI.- The honest fellow, who was really much attach ed to me, said he was convinced that there must be something wrong in the affair, and should not be happy till the bottle and money were out of his hands. 1 poured few drops of the liquid on lumpot sugar and gave it to my wifes lapdog. It fell into convulsions, and died in few minutes. The case was now plain; there had been an attempt to poison me- " Never shall forget Clotilda's pale face as she threw herself weeping into my arms.'
 "Poson. murderer.' she exclaimed, clasp ing me as if to shield me from danger. "Mer- cltul Heaven, protect us both.' " 1 cOnSoled her with the assurance that was thankful to my unknown enemy, who was the means of showing me how she loved me- That day Berkenrode came at the usual hour; but in van dld take my seat in the hiding pace-he was not admitted. l afterwards found that she had sent him letter. threatening, if he ever came again. that her husband should be inform ed of all that had passed He made many at tempts to soften her resolution, but to no pur- pose. A year afterwards he married No ac- quaintamce has ever existed between the two families, and now you know why my wife re- fused her consent to our sons marriage with Berkenrode's daughter q cannotblame her." said Von Grote. "Who would have thought that Berkenrode, soldier, and man of honor, could have been capable of such a rascally deed?' ella, Ina, ha.' laughed Brounker; "and do you really think it was the General who sent me the poson?''
 "Why, who else?'
 "Myself, to be sure! The whole was my own contrivance, and it cost me three hundred guilders in present to my cook; but 1t was money we'll laid out for 1 saved my wife and got rid of her troublesome lapdog at the same time"
 
 CT shabby trick to leave Berkenrode under such an imputation. And now that your sons happiness depends on your wife's being unde- ceived-'
 :" l am aware of all that; but to undeceive her now is not so easy as you think. How can l expect her to disbelieve a circumstance in which, for the last twenty years, she has put implicit faith?"
 He was iuterrupte1 by the entrance of Frau Brounker Her cheeks were flushed and she saluted Won Grote rather stftly "What, not ut the ball, CIo;illa?" asked her husband
 No: had a bad healachc" she replied, " and Maurice had promised to talk. charge of his sisters. BuJ l have come to tell you that tha,c been thinking over Iii. marriage with ! Nina Bcrkenrote and have altered my mind on that subject. In short, shall withdraw my opposition to the match The iranl- looked at each other in astonish- neut
 Ey the by love- she continued, here is key ionud some time ago; 1 thinil it must belong 10 you.'
 Well, CioulIa sad her husband, striving to hide his confusion aa ne too. the Ae,. thi1 s good news about the lAarrage---" \ Suppose ' ou and your friend celebrate t hy supper. There IS a herring pie in the house and rou need not fear that it is poisoned" t Sha left ,ae room. Brounkel looked foolish, ana Won Grote rubbed lis hands aa he azclaiu1~ ' cd
 ' Caught in your own trapl He who digs d i pit for his enemy, shall fall into it hmself'"
 Nevertheless" replied Brounker. |" think l i have got well out of mine" 4