Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-08-18
HE'D COUNTY, Pa OMEARA GOODRICH

age with Paul Delpech, and public exposure
followed by shameful death !"
Gou would fail, Paul-utterly fall" trem.
bed from the ashen lips of Jules Delpech "
i, since you are so resolved, will set about
the--the business at once-by letter frSt-ob-
scure, preparatory hints awakening preludes
to the else overwhelming thunder burst. Don't
you think it will be best so, Paul 2"
As you please; only, if possible, getrid of
your coward fears. A bold determined throw
must win but shaking hand will lose both
fortune and fair lady, skilfully as the dice
have been loaded"
Thus urged, Jules Delpech managed to screw
his courage to the sticking-plare i; and Madem-
oisele Beaudesert, while busted with prepara-
tions for the impending journey, was surprised
and startled at receiving several brief notes
not dIsrespectfully phrased, but indirectly men.
acing in tone, subscribed D. I'D |" thought
Adrlenne-a child diSporting itself in parter-
re Of gorgeous flowers, from amidst which a
serpent suddenly uprears its flaming crest, de-
laying only to strike d that must mean
Delpech. What can he require of me? What
shall do ?"
1t was difficult to say Lisette was unfor-
tunately absent-just set off upon wedding
trip to ber relatives in Paris; aud after con-
siderable hesitation, arising from an unacknowl-
edged dread lest the vague, shadowy terrors
which the letters had excited in her own mind
should, were those letters submitted to the
clearer, stronger vision of others, assume tan
gibIe shape and substance, Adrieane Beaudes-
ert determined upon showing them to her moth
er and sister
How absurdly nervous you are Adrenne, +"
said Madame Beaudesert, after running them
over. The man of whom you, silly goose,
obtained that precious poudre rose, wants to
be handsomely paid for his nostrum but,
from wholesome dread of the law, does not
choose to distinctly specify the nature of his
demand. VOiLa tout, cher etfHe."
" hope So" said AdrieDDe, only partly re.
assured "and yet, would that Lisette were
here she would 90 and conclude the affair." at
once" Madame BeaudeSert remarked that
Lisette would be back again in quite sufficient
time to attend to such bagatelle and chang
ed the conversation to other topics.
Not, unhappy maiden, not to be 50 conclud
ed even by clever and Jealous Lisette, as the
following note, received the next day, too plain
ly showed f.: Mademoiselle BeaudeSert, | have
already sent you three letters, which, though
only signed by the initial of my Siruame, must
have been perfectly Ineligible to you, request
ing an interview at an address enclosed. Has
the elevation to which Mademoselle has been
so suddenly raised, precisely eight dags after
Ter lHterestiHg c0Hterenee lcah ne, screa after
that aclh my son, turned her brain, binding
her to the fatal consequences of a refusal to
reward in the only manner reward is possible,
the love, the devotion-at what cost evinced
MademoSelle Beaudesert tCo well knows-of
that son | demand, then, for the last time.
strictly interview with Mademoisele Beau
desert, to take place within the gxt twenty
four hourS-JULES DELP CHI"
What, nlamaR-W hat mean those wild
looks, this pale face ?" gasped Adriennc, as
her mother, having glanced over the letter,
stood transfixed as by the stroke of a dagger
-"speak, or p
My child-my precious, innocent child" :"
interrupted the mother, clasping, Straining j d.
rienne IN her embrace, with terrified, convul
sige tenderness " | see it, understand it all
now. The villain of whom you bad the-the
poudre rose, means o God means to assert
that you-yOu, beloved Adrenne-you, sweet,
sinlesS child-knowiugIy obtaned-obtained,
IL
him to-to-O Father in Heaven, can such
things be ~
What things p exclaimed Carisse.-
Speak, mother. You are killing Adrienne."
"That-that Adriennp obtained drug Of
bim-to-to shorten the life of Madame de
Nantpre."
With those words. the Game-crestcd ser
pent leaped at AdrienBeS throat, and life for
time forsOok her ItwaS long before tie
distracted mother and sister could recall her to
consciousness, and to what consciousness, when
successful What else but this, that she,
Adrienne Beaudesert, was the murderess of
her relative and benefactre>s-in fact, though
not, blessed be God, in pnrpose-that she held
her lite, and (minor, but still bitter coHse-
quence), the splendd position which had so
lifted her up with pride, at the mercy of ] mis-
creant whose torbearauce could only be pur-
chased, it seemed, by the abhorred pollution
of a marriage. But no she would die a
thousand deaths first
For all this, however before the expiration
of the stipulated twenty four hours, Il message
reached Delpech TO the effect that Mademoi-
selle BeaudeSert wished to see him early in
the forenoon of the morrow at the Chateau
dem.
The hoary-headed conspirator did not fail to-
attend at the time appointed, sprucely attired,
and prepared with a number of careful conned
phrases in depreciation of the outburSt of wrath
fu! terror with which he expected 10 be aSSail-
ed if the young lady or her mother had faith
omed, and he could hard believe they had not
fathomed, the true purport Of bis menaciag
letters. But the first fash of the tempest
over" argued Jules Delpech, the stern ncccS-
sity of the"-
The current of his thoughts were checked,
and he himself staggered back in dismay from
before the apparition. as it were, of Adrenne
Bedudesert, who, with her face the color of
the loose white morning robe she wore, her
hair in disorder, her eyes flaming with insane