Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-05-06
The FATAL Secret.

lends was M. Ambrose h., with whom he had been
nno,0nainted some considerable time.
The doctor had married young girl from the neigh
borbood who had brought him portion of about |
hundred thousand francs, which given to him by
be marriage contract in of her dying without chill
Iren At the end of ten months the young woman was
anfned with child and the doctor appeared equally
joiUbted as husband and father
Three years glided by. All at once it was sal abroad
TINT Madam M. had died suddenly. Every one rushed
f. the house of the dead, is customary in the provn-
ces The husband was found in despair be was en-
racng his daughter, and said that she alone could now
enable him to support life
Three months a(terward the child fell sick in its turn
and in spite Of the attention lavished up it by its father
died. For three more months one, for ten leagues
around, spoke OF anything but the msOrunes of the
Door DR.. M. 1t was a long time before he appeared
even the houses OF his best friends and when he was
seen again, every considered him terribly altered
For the rest the interest which every one took in him
vas very profitable to him in less than year his prac-
tee had doubled
1t nearly eighteen months since DR.. M. had lost
bis own wife, when Ambroises wife was on the point
of being confined. Ambrose Immediately mounted a
horse and rode in the greatest haste for Dr. NJ Dr. NJ
also mounted his horse and came back with Ambroise
to Marsily 1t about two O'Clock in the afternoon
At ten in the evening Ambrose's wife was confined
of pretty little girl. On seeing the child Dr. NJ al
most tainted 1t was thought that this sight had re-
called his own loss to the poor father and the JOY Of his
friend had redoubled his own grief
At dinner, the doctor scarcely ate anything. At 9
o'clock AmbroiSeS servant, who had received the
der in the Of the day from the DOCTOR sadded the
doctors horse and announced to him that when he wish
ed to return home everything ready for him.
The doctor rose, and almost Immediately sat down
again, turning at the same time very pale. Ambrose
noticed this and took his hand His hand was cold,
Notwithstanding which large drops of perspration
rolling down his forehead.
Ambrose asked him what was the matter; the doc
tor smiled, and said it was nothing Ambrose also
heard his friend say how necessary for him to
turn home the evening" and invited him, somewhat
undecidedy, to pass the night at Marsy The doctor
took some steps toward the door, but when he reached
the threshold he stopped, and falling back said
yes, | will stay"
'Do you feel unwell ?" asked Ambrose
No, but l am frightened" replied the physician.
At this strange answer Ambrose looked his friend
in the face. He had known him for twenty years, and
had known him to be brave man. A hundred times
in the course of year patients called him from home at
all hours of the day and night and he had shown
the least sign of weakness fear though certainly,
since the death of his wife, several of his patients had
complained that when they had required him during the
night, although the urgent he had always
found uLder different preteXts not to 90 when he
was wanted. Ambrose recollected these complaints,
and remembering, besides, that there a wood to
cross at a quarter of leagues distance from Marsiy,
he offered either to have him accompanied or to lend
him his pistols in case he feared being stopped But
the doctor shook his head, and repeated twice over
" It is not that It is not that !"
AMBROSE who required nothing better than he should
remain, in his wife might require fresh attention,
did not press the point any more and gave his servant
orders to prepare bed for his guest The doctor then
asked him whether he should have any objection to the
bed being made up in his own bed room. Ambrose
having reason to oppose this, consented. He then
just went to his wife, found that she asleep desired
that he ght be awOke in that anything occurred
and leaving her in charge of the who attend
ing her, back to the room where he had lett the
doctor
He found him walking about in an agitated manner
and taking enormous steps, but at the moment he did
not pay any attention TO this Taking up one of the
lights which had been burning all the evening" he invited
the doctor to take the other and went with him into
the bedroom where in accordance with the requesta
the doctor, both were to pass the night.
Ambrose got into bed and blew the light out. The
doctor also went to bed but left the light burning
Ambrose soon fell asleep.
In the middle of the Eight he was awoke by groans
Except by faint moonbeam, which pierced through
the blind and cast feeble CLEAN OF light portion
of his bed all the room was in darkness. He thought
at first that he had mistaken dream for reality
but the groans recommenced-they proceeded from the
doctors bed
Is that you moaning So Louis ?" inquired Ambrose
fresh sigh was the only answer to this question.
Are you in pain ~ he continued but species o.
sob was all the inquiry produced.
say! Are you awake Or asleep ?" asked Am
brOise, with a certain impatence as he got up in the
bed.
81 am awake, replied the doctor tOr Inc las
eighteen months | have not slept"
" What do you mean p inquired Ambrose
" Listen 1t has been sitting me too long. | mus
tell you all, or it will be my DEATH"
" What! are you mad ?" said Ambrose.
g. What can you have to tell me 2"
Watt" said the doctor. 1t must be told in Low
voice"
In the voice Of his companion there was tone 81
profoundly deep that Ambrose felt all his limbs shud
der he looked underneath the table for match bu
the doctor hearing him move and guessing his Intention
cried out
No, no ! 10 light, or I will not speak !"
At the same time Ambrose heard him dow
from his bed, saw him go to the window and draw thu
curtain, so to intercept the moonbeam which fell up
the bed after which he heard him feeling his way to
wards his pillow. He stretched out his hand and me
that of the doctor. The doctors hand was as icy
hand OF MARBLE and at the time covered with per
SpratiOn. Ambrose wished to withdraw his own, bu
the doctor retained it with much force, pressed hi
lips to it, and at the time fell on his knees
What in the name of heaven, is the matter?' erie
Ambrose.
do you suspect nothing 2" asked the doctor.
:" What do you imagine should suspect?
"DO you not suspect that he who now holds you
handWho is on his knees close to your beds Wretcl
william, murderer-worse than all that poi
SOner?"
Ambrose made so violent q movement that he dre
his hand back in spite Of the rmness with which til
doctor held it.
Wretch !' he Cried and why come and tell n
that? Who forced you to do 500"
Who forces me I? How do l know, myself? Is
God, is it remorse, is it my wife, is it my child ?? An
he pronounced these last words in almost extinguiS
ed voice.
Ambrose shrunk to the other side Of the bed wit
horror
Yes YES terrify you, do l not? But no matte
must tell all, it stif1es me. When have told ever
thing, shall feel relieved. Ambrose, have poisonf
my wife Ambrose, l have poisoned my daughter