The Shasta courier., 1865-12-02

whom each day she felt an increasing pas
sion, and that man was no other than
Horace de Cardovlle Although she did
not struggle against this passion, she had
still feeling if not principle. enough to alb
stain from any manifestations Of any prefer
ence, and to disguise alike from Horace and
his wife the feeling that would have destroy
ed their friendship, and driven her from the
house She did not even try II attract
NJ. de Cardoviiie; to him her manner was
/ cold. strictly pohte-that was all.
. m afraid your friend Yictorine doesn't
like me, Helene" said NJ. de Cardoville,
= she is 50 very formal to me.
9 / have often wondered whether You liked
her. for you don't seem to progress at all in
your friendship"
"Oh, l like her very well, but Helene. we
are not so often alone as we were You
know how few hours the world and my
duties leave me. | cannot bear to lose one
of them. Is Nine. Sternberg going to re-
main eternaly here?"
No, my dear Count" said Nine. Stern
berg advancing. Excuse me, | only over
heard the last sentence, but it was SO com
prehensive that could not help answering
you. am not going to tresspass on YOU,
mean delene's Kindness, longer than another
week. Then you will return to Vienna. and
| shall have found some obscure retreat
where shall be no longer a trouble to my
friends"
Helene bursting into tears. threw her
aNhs around Nictorine; as for the Count.
covered with confusion he stood gazing on
his grest, who stood pale and erect, her
large dark eyes striving to restrain her
tears. lie felt profoundly humiliated-
humanity he thought his words bad been
cruel. but all apology he knew would make
them worse. For the first time Nine. Stern.
berg assumed an interest in his eyes For
the first time he felt an eager des re to offer
her brothers. friendship and protection.-
Now under the insult she bad received, all
he could do was to leave her to tie consola-
tion Helene's tact and affection could offer
her.
. am not offended said Nine. Sternberg.
Il am only reproved, and reminded of my
stern fate, which till now | had forgotten.-
Come Helene, do not weep, remember YOU
must look beautiful to night for his sake =
Come, | will not intrude my mseries upon
you. l will forget all this, and when | am
far away, in my solitude | shall remember
only your kindness"
Nine. Sternberg withdrew to her ROOM
That evening Helene and Horace were to
appear at a court bail, given at this undue
season fer the reception Of foreign prince,
travelling incognito 1t was only in their
official capacity that the count and countess
thought the invitations imperative, and only
on that account that they left the chateau for
a ride Of ten miles to Vienna and ten miles
back in the middle Of the night, for Helene
insisted on not remaining in the close city
one day longer than she was obliged to-
The ride home will be the pleasantest
part Of it. Horace; just fancy the delicious
feeling Of the pure morning air coming from
that heated atmosphere"
Mime. Cardoville, was as usual. the most
beautiful women at the ball ; her regal yet
feminine beauty was enhanced by the splen
dor Of her dress and the wonderful Cardo
vile diamonds which were celebrated all
over Europe. Her husband, though he
loved her deeply, could not but be fattered
10y the admiration she excited, aad as he
threw his arm around her and drew her
towards him as they returned home, he told
her he wondered how he nad deserved that
such being should love him and be his.
= for, indeed, dearest Helene, YOU are an
angel; there now, not many wives hear that
from their husbands after ten years mar
raee.'
:" hope not to be an angel for at least
forryo or iity years for your love, Horace
makes life IA heaven here"
The carriage stopped as she uttered these
words she stepped INTO the hall. where only
one se.vant had remained up to see them -
Tne Count entered his library for few
minutes t. deposit papers and dispatches be
had brought from Vienna, but a> he did 50
he paused for an instant Watching the grace
fu figure ot his wife passing. Ike an airy
vision IN the gray dawn, ~ the sIairS, and
nurmurtng her name with love and tender
ness.
Like a vision she had indeed faded from
his sght-and forever When he entered
the dressing room, a strange, pungent odor
brought choking sensation to his throat
and giddiness to his brain. Still be ad
vanced for he saw Helene seated in large
armchair near the open window.
-" She has fallen asleep" said he, /
must awaken her; for the atmosphere of
this room is not natural. 1t is. yes. it is
ether or choroform-how has this been pro,
duced-accident or" BY this time the
Count had reached his wife.
" Helene" said he. placing his hand on
her shoulder, "lleene?"
But Helene stirred not. The Count bent
over her, still repeating her name Yet still
she did not move. The dawn was still too
gray TO light the room distinctly. Hastily
ne brought light from the bed room, where
one was always burning. and then he gazed
with anxiety ON his wife. She was still, and
her large eyes were wide open. The satin
robes were still around her, but they were
all dabbled aud disfgGred by blood tha,
flowed ever them. Horace threw his arms
around his wife, and "A sharp cry re-echoed
through the house. bringing all its inmates
IN few moments to the terrible scene.
The Countess was quiHe dead. The cause
Of her death was evident; some malefactor,
tempted by the jewels the Countess had
worn, had concealed himself in her room,
awaiting her return. then by an instantan-
eous application of chloroform rendered her
insensible. Probably she bad stirred, and
that had cost her her life. The jewels were
gone, and the thief had escaped even in
those fifteen minutes that Helene had been
alone. for his plans were admirably laid
1t was Nine. Sternberg who took Helene
from the arms of the Count. Tenderly she
disrobed her no profane hand did she allow
to touch her till she lay in the midst of
flowers in her coffin. Then firmly and
gently she went into the Counts room and
led him to the room where she had robbed
death Of its horror, and where Helene Law SO