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

became conscious of the movement of white object
crouched in the darkest corner.
To sprug to it required but an instant and then
raised in my arms raving, gibbering maniac, the
dreadful wreck of all that had once constituted
woman of the finest type.
Dead at last" she said with horrible laugh that
froze my blood. Dead at last, killed, killed."
wreathing her slender fingers Enthusiastically through
the heavy locks Of her black hair.
Z" Did you know be struck his own death signal"
she asked, quickly with the sharp penetrating look
which Is so often seen in insanity. "Did you know
he was warned?"
"Poor thing, you rave" half murmured as |
gently attempted to lay her on rude couch standing
at one side of the room.
"Who said l loved Percval?' she questioned,
showing me roughly aside, and struggling to rise.
" Let me see-let me see, sinking her brow in the
palm of her hand meditatively. "'Twas not my own
heart for trampled it in the dust, if it dared but
whisper as much. Some one-some one-but he's
dead, he's dead-killed, killed." And that was the
burden of every thought. DO you know where he
struck his death knell7r Here-here!" And tearing
the white wrapper from the swan like neck and
breast which rivalled its wheness, she disclosed
dark purpsh red spot evidently the result Of blow.
CHAPTER III.
The crowd soon ovsrran every part Of the premises,
but seeing the piteous state to which Mrs. Ross was
reduced had the delicacy to vacate the wherein
had found her, and where, after sending mes.
senger for female assistance, which soon arrived,
left her, The crimson glow of fever on her face the
lurd gances of her eyes, the wild gesticuations the
muttered and sometimes half shrieked CALCULATIONS,
betokened her crazed state too well for her words to
be listened to by any save as rawlings of mind where
reason was dethroned, and yet, to me, holding the
slight clue ! did, they had fearful significance.
Conviction seemed to rest on every mind that Per.
cval was the murderer and the desire that he should
be apprehended was openly expressed.
The greater part of the crowd soon left with the
Sheriff, who had arrived at the scene of the occur
rance to witness or assist in the arrest Of the sup.
posed criminal, had be not fed.
Contrary to general surmise, he was found at bis
office, pale and agitated though when the Sheriff
informed him OF his mission he manifested much sur
prise, and seemed On the point of demonstrating and
disclaiming, but as if influenced by some after
thought, accompanied him without word.
As the day wore on, popular feeling rose high
against Perc val, and whereas if he had shot Ross
u
thought, except to rejoice at being rid of this des
perado, now they called him murderer. and seemed
eager that justice should be executed on him. Those
who had hitherto been loudest in praise and admra
ton for him, denounced him in the most uncompro-
missing terms those whose interests he had most ad
vanced, constantly proclaimed the fact that they
had always lacked confidence in him, and be who
had foated on the high tide of popularity but few
bnFn
mercy Of that fierce and tickle wind, called public
opinion
In the dusk of the evening, when would be most
unobserved, obtained an interview with Perciyal,
n the rough cell of the little log Jail. Listening
second to the retreatng step of the person who had
accompanied me to the door, he said quite calmly,
'Eustis, have not done this thing
"The pistol ~ quered. .-.
"ls mine, certainly, but she persuaded me to give
it to her, on pretense that in hasty moment might
use it on him. / knew now,hard fate lit was for
her own protection"
There was an air Of veracity about him, which
coupled with the sight of the bruise on the breast of
Mrs. Ross and the remembrance of the vague words,
that one day she might take vengeance in her own
hands, which compelled me to believe him.
GLOW is she ~ he questioned eagerly.
"Do not ask" replied.
II must see her once more at least"
"Would you escape were the means provided 2"
eyes, for am innocent, but could not prove it
without incupating, or at least arousing suspicion
in connection with her, and that would not do for
life, no, nor for eternity"
Money can do much,' replied, not thinking i,
necessary to tell him, that in short time she would
be beyond the power of earthly tribunals.
Use it then, without stint"
did so. There were few men in that community
who did not have their price, and perhaps the same
state Of affairs may exist very generally at the present
time, but let that be as it may, by midnight had &c
arranged that Perciya was freed from his CELL Will
fleet horse standing saddled ready for his use, con
cealed in thcket neighboring to Ross house.
Having dismissed the nurse l had procured, tt
obtain some rest, was alone and prepared to givt
Percival admittance when heard the signal agreed
on.
| Mrs. Ross since the morning had had repeated
hemorrhages, resulting from the combined effect o
the crushing blow she had received, and the wild ex
| citement under which she had labored.
They had Gained her frenzy, and she lay in
quiescent state, looking in her rare beauty like
splendid statue, hurled from his fitting pedestal.
At the least noise, the rustic of bough the creak
ing OF door or shutter, or even those nameles
noises that rise upon the nights silence, she wout
stretch her arms out pleadngly, in spite of ever,
precaution to prevent it, for even this slight move
ment would cause the lifebood to froth up and wei
forth, in small but fatal stream.
At last heard the signal, and stealing with noise
less step to q side door which was concealed from
Mrs. Ross sight by the curtains Of her bed, CAV
Percval ingress. He clutched me by the shoulder
apparently to prevent himself from falling and el
he trembled as an aspen.
That you should be calm is absolutely necessary
l whispered. The duration of her life, even for
moment, depends on it,
| In second he released his hold on me, and witt
Silly tread, sought the bedside.
Her eyes, not yet even Invested of their meteo
light, though devoid of reasons ray, rested vacant
on his face, without CLEAN of recognition, but a
the slight unavoidable rustic of his movement, sh
stretched out, as usual, her white pleading arms.
To place himself in their clasp, aud draw her t
him. seemed on Perevals part an irresistible impulse
though spoke to prevent it.
He turned on me a beseechng look and murmured
But once-my God foreyer!"
And so it proved, for when her head pilowed o.
his shoulder she drew deep sobbing sigh, like
child who nestles its griefs away in mothers breast
and the graceful head fell back, the glorious eye
were yelled by the purple veined lids, and breat
passed away as the crimson current flowed for tn