Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-11-14

but ! never closed an eye
that night, and Clotilda. though she did
rot know / watched her, was as uneasy
as myself. On the following day cir
cumsiance occurred that increased her
agitation. While at breakfast a message
came from the cook asking to see me
alone. ! desired him TO come in las ]
was not in the habit of interfering in do
mestic affairs) and communicate his bu-
siness in my wife's presence. When the
man entered he was as pale as a ghost,
and scarcely seemed TO know villa. he
was about. At last he told me had re-
ceived packet containing small bottle,
three hundred guilders, and note, in
which he was requested TO put the con-
tents of the former into the first herring
pie he should prepare for me. He was
assured he might do SO without fear, as
the contents of the bottle were quite
harmless, and would give delicious fla
vor TO the pie. An additional reward
was promised if he complied with the re-
quest and kept his own counsel. The
honest fellow, who was much attached to
me, said he was convinced there must be
something wrong in the affair, and should
not be happy till the bottle and money
were out Of his hands. / poured few
drops of the liquid on a lump of sugar
and gave it to my wiie's lap-dog. 1t fel
into convnlsions, and died in few min
utes. The case was now plain-thert
had been an attempt to poison me. Nev
er shall forget Clotilda pale face, al
she threw herself weeping into my arms
. Poison! A murder" she exclaimed
clasped me as if 10 shield me from dan
ger. Mrrciful Heaven, protect Us both ,
l consoled her with the assurance that
WIS thankful to my unknown enemy
who was the means Of showing me Lov
much she loved me. That day Berken
rode came at the usual hour but in vail
did take my seat in my hiding place
He was not admitted. | afterward
found that she had sent him letter threat
ening, if he ever came again, her hus
band should be informed of all that ha
passed. He made several attempts t
soften her resolution, but TO no purpost
and a year afterwards he married. \
acquaintance has ever existed betwee
the families, and now you know why m
wife refuses her consent TO our sons maj
riage with the daughter Of Berkenrode.
II cannot blame her." said Van Grot,
"Who would have thought that Berke er
rode, a soldier, man of honor, coul
have been capable of such rascal
deed ?"
"Ha ha ha!" laughed Bronker, san
do you really think it was the gener
who sent the poison?"
Why, who else?"
"Myself, to be sure. The whole W,
my own contrivance, and it cost me thrC
hundred guilders in present to my cool
but I saved my wife and got rid of h
. troublesome lap-dog at the same time"
do you know, Bronker | think
was rather shabby trick to leave Ber
enrode under such an imputation; al
! now that your sons happiness depends
! your wife being undeceived-"
I am aware of all that, but 10 und
4 ceive her now is not so easy as you thin
! How can ] expect he- to disbelieve ac
eumstance in which for the last TWEEN
=, years put implicit faith p
h He was interrupted by the entrance
70 Vrow Bronker; her cheeks were flush,
= and she was saluted by Van Grote ratt
~ stifiy.
, What, not at the ball, Clotilda
)" asked her husband.
IL No, had a bad headache" she
piled, and Maurice had promised
Is take charge of his sisters. But ha
come to tell you that l have been thin
~ ing over his marriage with Nina Be
Y enrode, and altered my mind on that s.
ject. In short, I shall withdraw my
: position TO the match"
ii' The friends looked at each other IN
: tcnishment,
10 "By-the-by," she continued, e her,
T. key found some time ago, ' tLinl
u must belong to you."
a Well, Cloiilda,,' said her husba
ne strivingto hide his confusion as he t
the key, " this is good news about
, marriage -
'n' I" Suppose you and your friend eel
as rate it by a supper. There as herr
ne pie in the house, and you need not
ne that ii is poisoned"
1'o She left the room. Bronker loo
zee foolish, and Van Grote rubbed his har
nd as he exclaimed q Cauobt IN ,orr