Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-02-18
Idly, addressing s.: Croiz, sis he ill

Cantret soothingly, whose countenance be-
trayed great agitation, 1.-The young earl is
not DEAD, only missing II is to be hoped
that he will yet be found"
Lacy Blanche made no reply, but fell
pale and gasping into her fathers arms.
VINO quickly conveyed her to the carriage.
Many OF the bystanders gathered around
81. CrOlx anxious to know the cause of this
scene. From the narration he gave, they
gathered that the earl had disappeared. no
one knew whittier. That there was no
clue to his fate, excepting his horse, which
came home few minutes after midnight
with dark stains If blood upon his breast
ard sides. The grief and horror with which
Of. CroIx narrated these circumstances pro.
duced very favorable Impression on those
who heard hin for he was next of kin to
the earl, and upon his death would come
into possession Of the earidom.
my child" said Lord Cantref. asfew
months pfser. who was in close and earnest
conference with bis daughter, Il would NOT
urge you to take this step, were | not as
sured that it would result in your ultimate
happiness
Il DON'T doubt it father" said lady
Blanche languidly but somehow the very
thought is repulsive to me- | never liked
MIR. ST Croix, and can not say like him
any better since his accession t. his new
houors. There is, to my womanhood in.
stinct, something treachnus and cruel in
the very glance of his eye and sound of his
voice"
you are prejudiced, my daughter" said
her father, II see nothing of this. Indeed
believe him to be 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 gricves me tolsave you 50 unprotected,
and it would take tho last 4tng from death
couli see you Lord Egberton's wife"
Let 1t he as you say father" renlied
/ Lady Blanche, )fferertly. "Since Wal
Ger is dead, | care itle what becomes of
me-"
The earl has been waiting s7me time 10
see you, Blanche" he continued "may he
come IN and receive your consent from your
own lpS?"
Lady Blanche inclined her head and in
few moments the willy man was by her
side
''l have no heart to give yuu," she said
in reply to his earnest prutestations, lift
| ing her eyes calmly to his face "but my
hand Is yours whenever you choose to claim
it,"
eff the most devoted and tender love can
win your heart, it cannot fail to lie mine,
dear LADY," said the earl softly.
Nay, Lord Esberton," said Lady
Blanche, firmly, lit will avail little. All
the teart that have is buried in Walters
grave. Yet | promise that all can give
you shall by yours any day you name
/ The earl murmured few words OF
/ thanks, and then raising her hand respect-
/ fully Ia bis lips, turned away, and mount
/ iug his horse, rode rapidly toward E. Der
I ton Hal, his heart iul Of exu'tat!Ou of lis
/ success. As he was passing a narrow de
| fife lprin wrapped III large cloak sud
/ denly crossed his path, startling his horse
SO that be nearly threw him off from his
/ saddle. With a muttered imprecati, IL he
turned toward the intruder
] at is !, Edward ST. Crook !" said deep
! hollow voice ; and throwing back the cloak
/ the pale light Of the r!oon fell upon the tall
srm OF woman, clad Ia a strange fantas-
tic attire. Her flashing eyes were black H.
midnight, as also were the heavy masses of
dis rdered hair that fell below her waist ;
her cpmplexilu was dark, even to- swurthi>
aspect, there was something in the general
contour of her face which showed taat she
had once possessed more than uncommon
beauty.
"Ardeler' exclaimed St. Croix, aston
isbed.
Nay, Edward" said the woman, with n
low, bitter laugh, mot the loving aud trust.
full Ardrlle. whom you lured by your vile
arts from her happy home, Cleopatra the
gYsy queen ~
IL tho" 1h'-" st;,.nmercd the earl.
You thought me. a. ysu intended me t.
be, dead :" size said, iuterrurtius Einl witt
a still more bitter laugh. But. my friend
poison does rot alsays XII even when ad
m'n!s'ered by so practiced haad as yours
| have many an antidute such as YOU gave
me the night IF our last meeting ~
You are talking at random woman, ,
said the earl, s,ernly, recovering in meas
ure, his self possession. What is it thai
you want money"
Not for worlds would touch your gold
Edward St. Croix" exclaimed the gypsy
queen, with a naughty gesture, red as i
is with the blood of :he innocent! No,
come to warn you. man, that the cup O
vengeance is neatly full, that the sword o
justice is ready, even ROW, to descend upor
your head G., and instead Of fulfilling
the wicked purpose that is in your hear
tonight, mount your heetest steed, and es
cape to some far country, and there by {
life Of peniteuce, strive to retrieve thu
pas"
Are you mad, woman, to address sucf
language to me? exclaimed the earl aDgri
ly.
Nay, hear me OUT" said the gipsy
queen, calmly. ITO morrow is to be your
bridal day, is it not-tlst is, to witnes,
your marriage with the beautiful Lady
Bancha ?"
ut is" reIlied her companion. a grin
smile Of satisfaction fitting across his face
at the recollection.
Woe to the dove when it mates will
the hawk " said the gypsy. Edward St
Croix, was not the earldom enough fol
thee, that thou must lay thy blood stained
hands also upon the betrothed of thy muir
dered cousin?"
St Croix fairly reeled upon his saddle
"What do you mean?" he gasped.
NAY, be calm" said the woman mock
ingly, as she observed his agitation; "le
not your craven heart fail you now. DeaC
men tell no tales? The moon that behelt
that deed of blood, the river that received
the body Of the victim. have no tongue Il
accuse you. Yet there is one whose eye
, were upon you, and whose vengeance vii
; surely overtake you. Go | warn you t.
r fee from the wrath that is coming"
t The earl remained some seconds with hi
eyes fixed intently upon the spot where tn
woman disappeared The cold sweat start
ed out in large drops upon his face. an,
/ his limbs shook as il seized with an agu
l fit.
''She Is TO WOMAN" he muttered to him
self, ns he spurrPf his horse onward. "bu
[ yer dend But were she twice the fen
that she is. should not stand between hi
AID my r,rnnisai hrihn l''