Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-10-04


and were doomed to eternal exile in the
icy regions of Siberia. Answer me, sir
Count, was it not 30?
Waukoff made no reply, but his pale face
and trembling form showed that the accu-
sation was not an unjust one.
&c. continued the mountebank, by your
fathers death the elder gained the title,
while yoat received the available wealth.
But simple name couteuted you not; you
wanted rank, and through your brother,
who was then all powerful with Catharine,
though few years afterward he fell into
disgrace, you offered your services to the
empress. You came to her in good time,
for she wanted person-with whom the
Count was unacquainted, to act as spy
upon the Princess Maria and you accep-
ted the base trust. You followed her like
bloodhound, step by step, nothing escaped
your scent; and at length from what you
heard, you suspected that the Princess and
the Duke de Leipsic were married. You
communicated your suspicious to the EN-
press, offering at the same time your advice
and assistance She accepted both. But
for you, one at least of these unfortunates
would perhaps be living ptill. One was
doomed, for from an early age she had been
marked out by the fell destroyer as his VIC
tim. Fate, or rather you, decreed it other
wise with regard to the Duke. The Prin-
cess was placed in your care, and the next
morning she died. Three days afterward
the Duke was slain, and by you. For this
you were likely ennobled; and to those who
knew not the blackness of your heart, you
appeared worthy of your sudden elevation
to rank and wealth. Years have passed
since then, and how many more crimes you
have committed, heaven only knows An
swer me! Is not all I have said true?
Waukoff pressed his hand upon his heart
as if to still its beatings but made no reply.
Answer me, man ! continued the noun
tebank, grasping him roughly by the arm
lis not all I have said true? You dare not,
cannot deny itv
Il can,' said the Count, recovering from
his stupor, and drawing himself proudly
up. Jean Saint Pierre, know this, that
there lives not another man oD earth who
would dare speak to me as you have done |!
Who and what are you? Where are your
proofs ? and taking up the pistol, he placed
the barrel against his temple answer
quickly, as you value your lifev
What would you add another murder
to your long list of crimes p said the noun.
tebank. do you not fear
Il fear nothing, exclaimed the Count, as
his hand touched the trigger. Quick I!
Your name and the proofs p
Proofs ha You want proofs Well,
you shall have them ; and bending his head,
he whispered single word in his ear. The
effect was electrical. The Count staggered
back, let fall the pistol, and raised his hand
to his brow, which grew red and pale by
turns and moaning piteously, moved slow
ly backward toward the door. Still gazed
the mountebank his dark eyes cleaning
like burning Goals but not word did he
utter, as with one hand pointing upward to
the sky, he followed him through the open
door and only paused when he had reached
the landing. Then, and then only, did the
Count stop, as if about to speak, but though
his lips moved, naught but the same moan.
ing sound was heard. And slowly step by
step he descended the stairs; and Saint
Pierre had near y reached the room again,
when the street door was thrown open; =; a
yell and pistol shot heard at one and the
same moment-a gasp for breath-a cry of
despair-and Count Waukoff, bleeding pro.
fusely from wound in his neck, staggered
into the room and fell dead upon the floor
1T is the vengeance of God exclaimed
Saint Pierre, as soon as be had somewhat
recovered from the horror into which this
fearful deed had thrown him. In His name!
he cried, rising to his feet, after assuring
himself that the Count was no more-'In
His name, who has done this p
Il! thundered Count de Moner, as he
sprang into the room. On seeing the
nountebank standing erect and apparently
uninjured, he uttered loud cry and started
back.
'Living! he cried 'and not apt to miss
my aim!
sGracious heavenp cried Saint Pierre
'You-was it you that did this deed ? Oh !!
man man henceforth the gates of Heaven
are forever closed against you! See-see
here ! and seizing the torch with one hand,
he grasped the Count by the arm, and
dragged him toward the body. Look, man !
see what you have done!' and he held the
torch in such position that the light fell
directly upon the face of the corpse. See,
Count de Mouer, see whom you have slain!
sWho is it p cried the Count, startled at
the others violence.
Your brother exclaimed Saint Pierre :;
and as the horror-stricken nobleman knelt
down beside the body, he rushed from the
house. For moment the Count remained
motionless as though paralyzed; and then
rising suddenly, he sprang to the window
and dashed it open. He saw the mounte-
bank coursing the street, flying on the wings
of speed to escape him; and at the very
moment he disappeared into the shadow, he
raised his arm and fired. A thrilling
scream, SO wild and piercing that it rang
upon the Counts ear forever, was heard,
and then all was still.
My poor brotherp he exclaimed; and
kneeling, he gazed upon the body for mo-
ment, and then fell back insensible.
/ TO BE CONTINUED.