The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-01-04

Many of the bystanders gathered around
st. Croix, anxious to know the cause of
this strange scene. Fran the narration he
gave, they gathered that the earl had dis
appeared, no one knew whittier. That there
was no clue to his fate, excepting his horse,
which came home soon after midnight,
with dark stains Of blood upon his breast
and sides. The grief and horror with
which St. Croix narrated these circum-
stances produced very favorable impress
sion on those who heard him; for he was
next of kin to the earl, and upon his
death would come into possession of the earl
dom.
"My child" said Lord Cantref, few
months after, who was in close conference
with his daughter. 81 would not urge this
step upon you, were not assured il would
result in your ultimate happiness"
@''I don't doubt it, fathers'' said Lady
Blanche languidly. but somehow the
| very thought is repulsive to me. I never
liked Mr.. st. Croix, and cannot say that I
like him any better since his accession to
his new honors. There is, to my woman's
| instinct, something treacherous and cruel
in the very glance of his eye and the sound
of his voice. ur
"You are prejudiced. my daughter. !" said
her father. 81 see nothing of this. In
deed, I believe him to an honorable man,
and in every respect worthy of you. You
have no brother" he added. solemnly, as
his daughter made no reply, ''and will soon
have no father, for my race is nearly run.
1t grieves me to leave you 80 unprotected.
and it would take the last sting from death,
could see you the wife of Lord Egber-
| ton" sTHa
"Let it be as you say, father" replied
Lady Blanche. indigerently. "Since Wal
ter is dead, care little what becomes OF
me-" r.} rs.
'"The earl has been waiting some time to
see you, Blancbe,'' he continued; 'tmay he
come in, and receive your consent from
your own lips?"
Lady Blanche inclined her head; and in
few moments the willy man was by her
side.
81 have no heart to give you" she said,
in reply to his earnest protestations, lifting
her eyes calmly to his face; :'but my hand
is yours whenever you may choose to claim
eff the most devoted and tender love
can win your heart, it cannot fail to be
mine, dear lady," said the earl, softly.
may, Lord Egberton," said Lady
Blanche, firmly. ''it will avail little. All
the heart that have is buried in Walters
grave. Yet I promise that all can give
you shall be yours any day you NAME"
The earl murmured a few words OF
thanks, and then raising her hand respect
fully to his lips, turned away, and mount
ing his horse, rode rapidly toward Egber-
ton Hall, his heart full of exultation at his
success. b,
AS he was passing narrow defile, a
form wrapped in large cloak suddenly
crossed his path. startling his horse so that
he nearly threw him off the saddle. With g
muttered imprecation he turned toward the
intruder.
cit is I, Edward st. Croix ~ said deep
hollow voice, and throwing back the cloak
the pale light of the moon fell upon the tall
form of a woman, clad in strange, fantas-
tic attire. Her flashing eyes were black as
midnight, as also was the heavy mass Of
disordered hair that fell below her waist
her complexion was dark, even to swarthi-
ness. Yet, in spite of her weird, unearthly
aspect, there was something in the genera
contour of her face which showed that she
} had once possessed more than common
J beauty.
''Ardelle '' exclaimed st. Croix, aston.
ished.
Nay, Edward" said the woman, will
a low bitter laugh, not the loving and
trustful Ardelle, whom you lured by your
vile arts from her happy home, but CleoPa
ira, the gypsy queen y
: IL thought stammered the earl.
"You thought me, as you intend me t
be, dead % she said, interrupting him with
still more bitter laugh. "But, my friend
} poison does not always kill, even when ad
ministered by so practiced hand as yours
) I have many an antidote for such as you
gave me on the night of our last meeting!'
"You are talking at random. woman, >
said the earl, sternly. recovering, in meas
ure, his self possession "What is that yot
want of me-money?"
'Not for worlds would I touch your gold
! Edward st. Croix," exclaimed the gyPs,
, queen, with naughty gesture: ''red as i
} is with the blood of the innocent! No,
am come to warn you, man, that the cup o
vengeance is nearly full, that the sword o
justice is ready, even now, to descend upoI
t your head! Go and instead of fulfilling
the wicked purpose that is in your heart t.
8 night, mount your fieetest steed, and escap
. into some far country, and there by a life o
penitence strive to retrieve the past 20
''Are you mad, woman, to address sucl
7 language to me go exclaimed the earl an
grily.
, may, hear me out" said the gypsy
9 queen, calmly. IS Tomorrow is to be you
e bridal day is it not-that is. to witness you
marriage with the beautiful Lady Blanche q
at isl replied her companion, a grin
, emile Of satisfaction ffittino across his fac