The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-01-25
kin 70 the carl. and. upon his death, would
come into possession OF the earldom.


my chid.' said Lord Csn,ref, e. =
months after, who was in close and ca, j,
con n'erence with his daughter, Il wouL. y !,
urge yol to take this step. we're no s.
> sured that 1t would result 10 your ultimat
happiness"
II do not doubt it father, said Iag ,
Blanche. languidly. "But someho, the
very thought is repulsive to me I ne or
liked Mr.. 81. Crox. and cannot saw u a I
Ike HIM any better since his accession =,
his new honors. There is, to my womsn's
instinct, something treacherous and cruel n
the very glance of his eye and sound OF his
voice.
You are prejudiced my d,ushte~ :
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, solemnIy,
AS his daughter made no reply. "and will
soon have no father. for my race is nearly
run. Ii grieves me to leave you SO unpro-
fected. aud il would take the last sting
from death could see you Lord Egberton's
swife."
Let it be as you say. father" replied
Lady Blanche. indifferently. ''Since Wal
ter IS dead, l care little what becomes of
me-"
"The earl has been waiting some time to
see you. Blanche" he continued; "may he
come in and receive your consent from you.
own lips?"
Lady Blanche inclined her head; and in
few moments the willy man was by her
side.
Il have no heart to give you" she said,
IN reply to his earnest protestslions. lifting
her eyes calmly 10 his face; "but my hand
IS yours whenever you choose to claim it,"
''lf the most devoted and tender love can
win your heart. i. cannot fail to be mine,
dear lady," said the earl. softly.
May. Lord Egberton.'' said Lady
Blanche. firmly. "n will avail little. All
the heart that have is buried in Walters
gravs. Yet l promise tha, all can give
you shall be yours any day you name"
The earl murmured q few words Of
thanks. and then raisin. her hand respect
fully to his lips turned away. and mounting
his horse, rode rapidly toward Egber'on
Hall, his heart full Of exutation at his s,-c-
cess. As he was passing through \ narrow
dehle. form wrapped in a large cic * f.,
SO thst he nearly threw him fron TIE sad
die. With a muttered impression / tr.r-
ed toward the intruder.
"It is l. Edward st. Croix!" said dae,,,
hollow voice; and throwing back the clio X.
The pale light of the moon fell upon the tail
'orm OF woman, clad in strange iantas
TIC attire. Her flashing eyes were black ss
midnight, rs also was the heavy mass of dis
ordered hair that fell below her waist; her
complexion was dark, even to swartbiness. 1
here was so.'bns 4. ha "a Inc fsssSesffF ons,r
Of her face which sho wed that she had once
posses .ed more than common beauty. (
"Ardelle' exclaimed st. Croix. astonish
,d.
NAY. Edward said the woman. with
ow bitter laugh. mot the loving and trust
'ul Ardelle, whom YOU lured by your vile
arts from her happy home. but CLEOPATRA
the gypsy queen" VI
IL thought stammered the earl
you thought me, rs y on Intended me to
be, dead'' she said. interrupting him with a
still more bitter laugh. But. my friend.
poison does not always kill. even when A..
ministered by SO prscticed hand as your.
have L. any an antidote for such as you
gave on the night Of our last meeting
You are talking at random woman"
said the earl. sternly, recovering IN meas
ure, his self possession. "Wha,, nat you
want of me--moneyg'
Not for worlds would touch your & Id,
Edward ST. Croix." exclaimed the gipsy
queen with a naughty gesture; 'red as 1t is
with the blood of the innocent! No; | am
come 10 warn you. man, that the cup OF
vengeance is nearly full, that the sword OF
Justice is ready, even now, to descend upon
your head Go! and instead Of fulfilling
the wicked purpose that is IN your heart to-
night, mount your fleetest steed, and escap'
into some far country, ard there by a life OF
peni,ence strive to retrieve the pas,!' +
"Are you mad. woman. to address such +
language to me?" exclaimed the earl an
grily.
..Nay hear me out" said the gypsy queen. (
calmly. Tomorrow is TO be your bridal /
day, is il not-that is, to witness your mar
riase with the beautiful Lady Blanche
II, is" replied her companion. grim (
smile Of satisfaction fitting across his lace +
at the recollection.
"woe to the dove when it mates with the
hawkr' said the gipsy. "E lward ST. Croix.
was not the earldom sufficient for thee, that
thou mus, Law thy bloodstained hands also
upon tho betroshed of the murdered cous-
in?'
ST.. Croix fairly reeled upon his saddle.
"What do you mean?'' he gasped.
..Nsy, be calm" said the woman, mock
incly. as she observed his agitation; "let
not your craven heart fail you now. Dead
men tell no tales! The moon that behe!d
that deed of blood, the river thar received
the body Of the victim. have no tongue 10
accuse you. Yet is there one whose eyes
we're upon you, and whose vengeance will
surely overtake you. Go! warn you to lee
from the wrath that is 10 come.
The earl remained some seconds with his
eyes fixed intently upon the spot where the
woman disappeared. The cold sweat started
ou, in large drops upon his face, and bis
limbs shook as if seized with an asue ht.
..She is no woman" he muttered to him
self, as he sp lrred his horse onward. but
very fsnd But were she twice the fiend
that she is, she should not stand between
me and my promised bride
He reached Egberton Hall in safety. and