New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-10-03

yersal habit Of play, knew Percival repeatedly, in
the face OF his known SKILL most unskilfuly to
lose large SIMS to him, and yet invite him again to
game, thought could see through all the appar-
ent friendship, as through fimsy disguise, deep
contempt and bitter hatred.
Several months passed away without any incident
in their intercourse coming to my knowledge worth
narrating, until one day Percival called in at my
Office and after some desultory conversation, said
somewhat hesitatingly, :" l wish you had power to
minister to mind diseased"
Thinking that perhaps he jested, replied jocu-
larly, Perhaps in your case treatment would be re-
quired for chronic affection of the heart''
He rose and walked the floor neryously once or
twice, and then said slowly" It was not of myself
that spoke. l was thinking of Mrs. Ross"
"She is changed Of late" answered F" It is per-
ceptbe even in the transient glimpses have had of
her. She looks pale, and superbly sorrovful, if
may so express it."
"She seems at times torn by contending emotions,
which, exhausting their fury naturally leave her to
fall into profound depression, unacknowedged per-
haps unseen, by all except-except well except one
who feels an absorbing interest in her welfare and
from that she passes, physically wrecked of strength
and at times lies almost in state of insensbty for
many subsequent hours. 1 have found her thus re-
peatedly She gives me no clue to her sorrow denies
my sympathy, and refuses my aid. She is alone in
the world, he said with tremor almost like tears
in his voice.
Alone |" calculated. al Her husband-'
"a brnte! speaking more unguardedly than
had ever known him. A brute, who holds jewel
which majesty itself might claim and proudly boast
the rarest of its treasures
Gan ill.assorted match apparently said in a
matter offact manner,
"Sold to him in the day Of his prosperity by a
bankrupt mercenary father" he answered bitterly
through his closed teeth. Surely he has fitting
punishment heaped on his unnatural head, by seeing
her descend to the last round, the ladder of this
mans disgraced and blasted fortune. But it is not
Of that would speak. What would ask of you, is
to accompany me to the house. She is shy of form
ing new acquaintance, and hard to approach but
possibly as my friend you may be able to establish
sufficient degree Of intimacy to discover uncon.
sciously to herself, whether there is any medical
treatment that might benefit her. If earth holds q
remedy it shall be hers"
hesitated how to act. TWAS somewhat strange
state of affairs, and after few moments reflection
said quite gravely:
Mr.. Percival, do you know you are playing a
dangerous game?"
He looked at me with a mixture of anger and re.
proach, and said quickly and with emphasis
81 am playing no game. I am more honest,
probably, than ever before in my life. will not
hesitate to confess to you that love Mrs. Ross but
love without hope of return, or of ever possessing
her. The law would doubtless free her from this
man, if her many wrongs were urged but she will
never make the appeal. She says the power to do
so rightfully has passed away that she must bear
all, suffer all, that he may choose to cast upon her
What 1t means 1 do not know, but whatever lies
shrouded in this mystery is what is killing her by
inches. Once heard her darby murmur that the
act and time would come when she would take ven
geance in her own bands but God knows to what
point her thoughts were tending. I have now re-
posed more confidence in you than ever in man be-
FORE Will you Gomez"
HYes,H