Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-08-18

Impossible, my dear husband" 1" returned Helen, "the weather is glorious"
 Yes" said l languidy, "but its very bright ness expresses me-"
 Strange fancy?"
 And had horrid dream last nigbt-
 "You awoke me by your fearful groan." ex- claimed Helen, with some anxiety.
 "The Saints be praised" fervently eiacula- ted. Had you not, should have expired with horror. What a mystery is the human mind! How is it that such impossibilities enter the brain? Last night was under the domin- ion of an idea which never would have crossed the threshold of my waking thought'
 And deep groan burst involuntarily from my breast. At last, overpersuaded by Helen's entreaties, told her. Her countenance chang ed, her neck and face was crimsoned one mill- ute ard pallid the next; indeed she appeared to feel the recital as much as I had the dream
 Was 1t not frightful?" said l.
 "Let us not think of it," replied Helen, with suppressed sigh, regaining her composure, and, rising from her chair she came towards me and kissed me.
 It humiliated me at the moment to think that so completely had that frightful dream mastered my reason that the kiss met no recom- pense on my part. Itwas the first she had ever gwen me without sending pleasing thrill through all my frame. I felt the kiss no more than dead man would! This evidently stune her, for we finished our breakfast in silence
 As was leaving the room she turned to me, and sad Count, we are engaged to dine at the Chateau de Folk to-day, we had better send an excuse"
 'Absurd,''' returned; and all on account of a foolish dream. Gaston would laugh me out of patience at such an excuse'
 ''Ot course," then said she, with much agita- ton, you won't mention the dream? It is not only absurd, but 1t is insulting to the baron," and, alter moments pause, she added, ''also to me-"
 You need not fear, Helen-I know Gaston too well to expose myself to the shafts of his ridicue"
 This assurance seemed to relieve her, and smlmgly wishing me a pleasant walk in the garden (my custom always after breakfast she ripped away to her musc-room
 As paced among my shrubs and flowers. the slngularlty of my dream led me to examine the cause of such strange visitation; and after much reflection, l came to the conclusion that the origin of thought which had never enter ed my mind was occasioned bv Helen's men, tlonlng Gaston's name when I awoke her with a kiss, coupled with the fact of our having pro- missed to dine at his chateau the next day.
 felt strange satisfaction at thus sol vino. as 1t were, what had appeared to me psvchologi cal enigma and my despondency in some mea sure subsided, Snll the impression had been too powerful to be etfaced all at once. and the feversh anxiety displayed by Helen that I should not relate my dream to her sister or Gaston renewed the vague apprehension that had partially faded from my mind. As we walked across our medows to the private en- trance of the Baron'de Foix's park, my wife re- iterated her request with increased eagerness of manner. lrritated at her importuntv. refused to converse any longer seriously on dream.
 We sat down to dinner which was unusual ly ptuous-the choicest vintages were on the table. Ny wife and Blanche were in excel lent spirits, and Gaston, usual, was full of anecdote and wit Ihave named think. that the Baron was fond of wine, and although he was not what the world would call an intem- perate man, his inclinatons were in favor of an occasional debauch.
 The excitement of my dream, and the de- spondency resulting from it, had also begat in me fever which naturally craved drink to quench it, although it was only pouring oil up- on flame. Gaston had great perception, and saw at a glance there was something weighing on my mind. It seemed to give him much concern-to make him almost reStleSs-his eyes rolled uneasily-l thought detected several lnqulrlng glances at my wife-the feeling of my dream came over mel felt as though it was not dream, but an occurrence that had really happened, but which had, like a foul craven. neglected to revenge. At this minute he push- ed a flask of cognac to mel thought it was burgundy-l filled my goblet and drank Helen and Blanche, after saying they were go- ing to stroll on the lawn, then left us.
 l remained silent-that was not musual- but knew I looked gloomy-this ,oos. The baron did not seem at his ease His gaietv was evidently forced-he filled his glass more rapid ly than usual-instead of'the epicurean sip he swallowed it. At last, after taking full bum per, he said:
 "Charalois, what in the name of the foul tiend ails'you? You have, like a true and great knight drank more than your wont, and pad due observance to my vintage; but, by the Lady of Loretta, you have sat more like spectre at an Egyptian feast than a lover of venison and good cheer.'
 The genalitv of his tone re-assured me. therefore said, We'll, since you wish to know, you shall"
 know not how it was, but as I told my dream, the deadly effect the recital had upon him made my expiring despondency change into suspicion, while every moment grew more and more vivid, till at a sudden exclamation of the baron's it blazed up into certainty.
 Springing to his feet he exclaimed, Farther concealment is unnecessary. 1 see YOU have discovered all. Think of the scandal, count We have both of us made a mistake You and l chose the wrong sisters. Helen was meant for me-Blanche for you Farther con- cealment is useless. see you have discovered al.''
 Despite my suspicion this terrible confrma- tiun more than had expected. My blood seemed suddenly changed into fire I almost leaped into the air, and in another second my hand was on his throat 'Caitif" thun tered rather than spoke, Ca revelation from Heaven has exposed your treachery, and as such accept it! You have committed the unpardonable sin in the eyes of honorable men,"
 "1 know the penalty?" he cried, drawing his dagger and the next minute we closed in deadly scuffle. The noise of a chair we over- threw in it aroused the ladies, who entered just as had wrenched the dagger from Customs hand, and nearly mad with rage I buried it in he traitors breast. He fell with a heavy groan, bathing the faithless Helen with his blood as she rushed up to separate us.
 The horror and astonishment of Blanche was something terrible to behold, but as the dying man confessed the deadly wrong he had done me- they were changed to grief even more painful. The remorse of the once light heart- cd libertine was undoubted, for he was too brave man to fear death for its own sake. At Blanche's solicitation 1 extended to him my forgiveness; he grasped my hand, which had not the stenness to withdraw, and said, For the sake of all-for the unhappy sharer of my crime-be silent on the subject"
 As his strength was rapidly failing insisted upon sending for a physician, to which he seem- ed to consent, saying q Let me see Jerome"-- l hls was his stewart, a man who had grown gray in his service. When he came he took hls old domestc's hand and said, Jerome, in moment of madness have stabbed myself say this to prevent all misapprehension on this sublect'
 Tn few minutes he breathed his last
 In compliance with the prayer of the dying man, confirmed by the wish of the noble thnr