Squatter sovereign., 1855-04-17

entertainment which she pufposed to grace,
in company with her English friend, against
whom she was aware that Pierre cherish
ed an unqualified and vengeful antipa,hy.
But she met him there, and she read in
his settled HAuTEUR and callous express
sion dangerous threatening foreboding,
which she did not forget for a single mo-
ment to watch with the utmost care and
scrutiny, without affecting to observe either
his appearance or his conduct during the
evening.
"a gallant pair, upon my honor !" said
ALTO to young Souall, as Mendon passed
down the saloon with the lovely Estelle
hanging gracefully on the arm of her af-
| fancied.
"Live while you may" he said, mentally,
as the handsome couple moved away, all
unaware of the villanous scheme he Sc
cretly harbored in his wicked heart. EN-
joy your present opportuni:y-it is brief
| The sun that shines on the morrow, my
fair-faced Briton, will illume your pathway
peradventure-but NOT if there be virtue
in the draugh you will quafat midnight,
three hours hence. And you," he continu-
ed bitterly, "you, my idol, my lovely but
scornful beauty, you will yet be mine
mine mALcRE your present will to the
contrary.
A moment afterward, ALTO approached
him again.
'Estelle is monopolized tonight he said.
"She declines me in the waltz, Pierre.
Twice have ventured to solicit the pleas
ure and twice she refused me -
$50 she has me :" said Souall, sarcastic
ally; ''but not twice. l craved the honor
once, and she was engaged. Look you,
Allo,"h exclaimed, pointing to the waltz
ers. Il faith she is a very sylph. See,
how she bounds and skins the floor, sup
ported in the arms of her English friend.
BY St. Mare, this is too much !''
"There is no help for it, good Pierre %
responded his friend. "She favors him,
and what should you cares A hundred
ladies, as fair, surround us. See the beau
teous Manco's daughter, by her side, and
the dark-eyed countess on her right, too
-"Pshaw! Alf-have not eyes 2 can
not sees Do l not know-and you, as
well-that there is put one belle here 2"
"Yes; but"
"Ah, ALTO do you remember my prom
ise ?''
"To we'd her p
cay" said Souall, proudly.
"Well, what of that 2''
Nothing, now. You shall see."
Before midnight, Pierre had wrought
himself into a fury Of determined revenge
upon the unconscious Mendon, whose life
he had resolved upon taking; and when
the signal for supper came, the jealous
Spaniard thrust himself as near to Estelle
and her betrothcd as possible, at table.
But her English friend was all good ma
tured and generous ability-contented
with the prize he had so nearly gained
and as happy as prince. in the enjoy
ment Of the smiles of the fair creature to
whom he was so ardently devoted, and
who loved him in return, with earnest pref.
erence. Amid all the enjoyment and hi
larity of the occasion, however, singular
premonition had taken possession of the
heart of Estelle, and she kept steady eye
upon the movements of Pierre, whom she
suspected of mischievous designs.
The feast was a rare one; course after
course came and disappeared. Soft music
from the balconies of the elegant mansion
of the host swclled upon the midnight breez
the company were at the height of enjoy
ment, the wine had begun to circulate free.
ly, and young Pierre Souall had already
imbibed his full hare of the seductive Ii
quid, when he bethought him that the mo-
ment had arrived for the completion of hi:
cursed plot for his rivals destruction.
He had provided himself duly with q
subtle and fearful liquid poison, drop o
which once in the human stomach, would
"though he had the strength oftwenty men,
despatch the drinker straight.
/ Drawing from his vesture dininutivs
phial, he forced out the cork, to which wal
attached small piece of sponge satura'
ted with this fatal poison, and watching hi'
opportunity, when the guests were in thu
hight of their merriment, he placed ths
sponge at the mouth of bottle of choice
!; Burgundy near him, pressed out the liquid
and as skillfully replaced the little phia
3 and cork In his pocket again. The move
I Iment was seen by the watchfuI Estelle ant
she continued 10 eye the subsequent acts o
Peiue Souall with unfinching eagerness
He was too deeply in his cups to observe
that he was noticed. at all. and hailing al