The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1861-04-04

Ger. who had served under Lafayette
Both father and mother sprung from a
brave and warlike line, but the son had
inherited none of their nobler traits.
A shrewd schemer, cowardly plotter,
and aSselfsh, unscrupulous man, St. Maur
had lived thirty years and not done one
worthy deed. The name and influence
of his uncle had obtained for him cap
tain's commission, but the tap of the drum
ana the fume of gunpowder always drove
his watery blood from his cheeks. Glad
to forsake the field for the carpet, he had
returned to his uncle's to push his suit for
the hand of Clara Dainemcrt But he
met blank repulse; for it was already
pledged to the brave and handsome Will
liam Avern, q young man Of noble char
acter and rising fame. Had he dared St.
Maur would have fought his rival for the
nrize: but his craven soul instinctively
shrank from q combat with tho young
Tcnnesseean. ST. Maur had already
enough wealth to content any but q NOR
cenary spirit, but grasping eagerly for
more, and infatuated with the beauty Of
his cousin, he would have sold his saliva
ton to call her and her fortune his own
When left in the parlor, as we related,
he hurried from the house with q throD-
bing heart and burning brain. He had
not dreamed that the marriage was to be
so sudden; and all that day he had pray
ed to the evil spirits he worshipped to
guide lead or steel to the heart of his ri
val. Now he saw him returned trium-
phant, victor and a bridegroom! lie
hastcned TO do what his wicked mind had
long been plotting. Ere many minutes
had passed he stood in the private office
of an apothccary and chemist, a lean aud
wiihercd old miser, who looked upon all
mankind as so many vcrmin, dceming
gold The only valuable thing on Garth, so
said report, and ST. Maur believed it.
Who can explain the insanity of such av-
a,ice for Carlo Bcrbi made no use of his
wealth save TO gloat over it in grim soil
tudc.
sI havo come for the almond" sail
Henry as the chemist raised his small
black eyes TO his.
"Havc you brought the price, young
nan ?"
Henry threw purse upon the table.
Carlo counted out the yellow coins, one
By oac, trying the weight and ring OF
each. until he bad numbered hundred.
Right" said he, as swept theminto his
pouch, and slowed that into his BOSOM
g 1 only wish 1 could sell sack OF doub-
lo almonds at that price"
Carlo Berbi then produced q large aim
ond, neatly halvcd, and containing twin
kernels, one of which was clipped at each
end.
Whoever swallows this" said the ltal-
ian, holding up the marked almond.
q does himself no harm; but I would not
be he who shall cat the other. Do not
make q mistake"
aNcvcr fear,' said Henry, as the chem
ist glued the halves together. But how
long does it take to effect its purpose?
aThree hours, and leaves no trace, my
,-o,nr fr;ond You ordered this to be
made ready three weeks ago and as you
have not called for it, I began to think
that your courage had failcd.'
aThe limo had not arrived" said Hen
1y, as he placed the almond in his vest.
q But, tell me, old man, have we not met
before?"
aWhcrc, until three weeks since?"
"In Italy, where I lived some five
years AGO. There is an air-a tone in
YOUR voice that reminds me of some one
that once knew in Rome," said Henry
st. Maur.
aAh I had relative there; perhaps
you knew her." said Carlo, gazing sharp
| " into his face. "She was very beauti-
full, all said, and her name was Blanca,
the Flower Girl"
ST. Maur grew ashy pale, but in a mo-
ment he replied, " have seen her. What
has become Of her"
s:she is dead She gave her love to
some young and heartless william He
deserted her, and she died some twelve
months OF so ago. The destroyer of her
young life was German Count, have
heard He had left Rome three or four
i D. In:...ao I'D IL, 1aa1r o1,lalS