Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-08-07

ed at a leisurely pace, had time 10 renect
upon and ponder over the events OF the day
She whom he had loved--she, who had SO
spurned, so despised him-the woman he
had once sued and prayed to, whose laug OF
derision had rung in his ear SO long-She so
worshipped, so respected, whom calumny
had never reached, who stood in the centre
of profigate court, purer than falling snow
she, to be his at last--bought, bought
with a price-she, to whom all the mobiles OF
the land had sighed in vain, reserved TOR
him.
At the corner of the street in which stood
the Hotel Montifore, he stopped, and gave
the rens into the hands of the valet. He
tod him he was going On business to the
Duke de Montifore; that if the nobleman
was from home, he should wait until he re-
turned; that he expected his cabriolet to be
at the same spot in two hours time, and
that if he was not there to meet it, he wish
ed his servant to take it home. and he would
return on foot, and on no account 90 men
ton where be had left him, or to give any
clue as 10 the proceedings and destination
of that evening.
The valet obeyed his orders to the letter.
Monsieur Achille reached the Hotel de
Montifore, and, pausing at small side
entrance into the court, gave low whistle.
The door Immediately opened by person SO
muffled that it was impossible TO distinguish
its sex or age. With silent movement, 1t
beckoned him to follow; they crossed the
court, and reached small and dark apart
ment. They paused.
81 have brought it all, most lovely duchess.
And now'--he took tenderly the extended
hand of the fgure--the grasp that met his
was one of iron.
ais it all gold,"
"All gold," he answered; and this was
the last word he ever uttered.
Monsieur Achille was missing for two
days, and great excitement prevailed in con-
sequence. On the third day his body was
found in the river, some miles from the place
where his valet stated he had seen him last.
His pockets were rifled, his jewels gone A
ghastly wound in his breast showed how he
had diei.
his Servants VeTt dll Stl ItlJ
when the valet made his statement; in con-
sequence Of which visit was instantly paid
bv the commissioners of police 10 the Hotel
Montiffore the result of which visit was tt at
the valet was arrested fer the murdsr and
robbery of his master. Want Of evidence
led 20 his acquittal, but while in conhne-
ment, nothing could exceed the kindness OF
the duchess toward him, or her liberallty
after his release. She, so beautiful, SO be-
loyeG-she was still the same--as calm, as
proud,a distant as ever! Made to adorn the
world, to her that world was nothing-over
her, it had nc power.
Among her intimate friends she was heard
to lament the death of Monsieur Achlle, as
the means of tepriving her husband of
large loan which he was to have received on
the night on which the murder was commit
ted, and of which it was supposed Monsieur
Achille was robbed, while in the act of
bringing it to the Hotel Montihore. She
also regretted having been obliged to part
with some of her splendid diamonds, in Or
der TO raise sufficient money to pay her hus-
bands debts Of honor.
All these debts were paid; and, after
time, those matchless gems again blazed
amid the pale gold Of her rich hair, and
spanned the snowy circle of her arm; the
tresses were Ike sunlight, the arm like
Parian marble, the diamonds without price.
None saw or dreamt of the blood-ths blood
that bound them round that bright head,
clasped them on that arm, chained them to
each other.
Monsieur Achille was soon forgotten.-
The Duke and Duchess de Montiiore lived
long and happy lives; no cloud ever seemed
to shade his gay and open brow, or dim the
lustre of her glorious beauty. His debts
once paid, no future embarrassments carken'
ed their prosperity alone remained for them;
they died, as they had lived ,honOred, respect
90, ,aaI.ai4sa- snd helneathed TO those around
and beneath them, the almost singular ex-
ample of grea: rank, unblemished descent
| unboundea wealth, uRited with all periec-
tions Of mind, character and conduct.