The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-02-12

own household has gone to rest. She il
alone, and slowly and gently she opens thu
window of her room, which, like that o
the .dining-rO I'm, communicated with the
balcony and the garden.
Gently as she opened her window, some
one beneath, hidden in the thick bushes
heard her, for in an instant quick ster
mounted the balcony stairs, and in another
instant Ernest de Lacy entered the room
closed the window, drew the curtain, and
turning round, threw himself at Juliettes
feet, and pressed her hand to his lips.
Juliette, pale, with her brow contracted,
her eyes cold and stern, looked down
on him.
ooh! Juliette, my own; you look not
on me with tender looks of love that gives
such happiness, such rapture to my soul.
Yet, Juliette, you love me?"
"Why should you be here ? but Ernest,
is not all deep feeling serious and sad
think, think, what 1 am about to do; be-
tray my husband; break the VOWS"
|. "Nay, Juliatte, why think of him ?
You cannot love him, and what are the
vows you speak of but social chimeras ?"
"Are those you have made me true ?'
eyes, for they are those of love, of
nature Oh! Juliette.''
'sIf you feel remorse you know no. love;
if you should grow weary of me, if you
should forsake me-! !"
"FOrsake you? never!"
"Such things have been, NJ de Lacy F"
The tone in which Juliette spoke was so
strange that Ernest started and gazed at
her.
"You are pale, my love. You tremble,
oh do not fear"
&c do not fear'
"I will protect you from all, through
all.
AS he spoke, NJ de Lacy threw his arms
round Juliette, but she started away from
hiia, and in wild alright rushed towards
the door
''Some one is in the house," said she !;
"hark, the footsteps draw nearer; hide
yourself in pity, it can be but my hus-
band -
NJ. de Lacy cast a rapid glance around,
and saw nothing but the balcony as a
refuge; tut Juliette, seizing him, thrust
him behind the heavy tapestried hangings
that divided her aressingroom from her
bedroom.
Scarcelv was he concealed before the
door burst open, and Gontier Vernier,
stern and te. rible, appeared Oh the thresh-
hold
At his aspect, Juliette threw herself on
her knees before him.
"Mercy, said she, energy"
"This letter, then, is trl e." and in a
firm, low voice he read:
If you would avoid dishonor, be this
night in your wite's apartment at two o.
clock Her lover will be there"
els this true?"
"Mercy," repeated Juliette, rising and
staggering back from him as he advanced,
"mercy'
She reached the curtains behind which
her lover was concealed. Bewildered by
her despair she clutched them, and they
fell, revealing beneath their folds the form
of Ernest de Lacy
In another instant there was flash,
and the report OF pistol, and then the
form of Ernest fell heavily at Juliette's
feet.
"Ah!" che exclaimed leaning over him,
cit is accomplished mother, l have
avenged YOU
'-Juliette, what mean you," exclaimed
her husband.
"Oh! Gontier, did you think me talse?"
"This letter.
"Was written by me-"
At this moment Ernest de Lacy ut
tered grOan, and Juliette knelt beside
him
"He must know for what crime he
dies. Monsieur de Lacy, said she my
mother was loved, honored and happy
wife, till your father saw her. He tempt
ed her from her home, she followed him
across the seas to America. He had
estates in Louisiana. She left all for him.
God knows if she was even for an instant
happy; but at last he left her-left her in
New Orleans, with me, an infant-left her
poor, without friends, without hope. She
died in despair and in agony, in public
hospital, and he came here triumphant to
his wife, to his children; whilst /, bis
child, aye, your siste-, Monsieur Ernest,
owed my very existence to public charity.
When first l heard your name l vowed to
be avenged. Worthy son of your father,
you sought to seiuce me, to destroy the
principles of virtue in me, to make my
lite desolate as had been'my mothers.
But knew you. l was strong in hope,
and love and truth; and you have paid
my mothers death and misery. We are
even.'"
9 Juliette, csn this be true?"
"Do you doubt me, G0ntier?''
Gontier looked for moment at her as
she stood before him, then, throwing his
arms around her, he clasped her to his
heart.
"No, Juliette, I believe in you, and
trust you STILL"
"I had that letter written; I could have