The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-01-15

at the door which opened into the room where
the speakers were. 1t was the month of
May, and the weather was quite chilly. had
neglected to bring any extra clothing with me,
and | began to feel uncomfortably cold. I
rose and paced the room several minutes.
BORN WILLS" came to my hearing in
! the unguarded tones of DR.. Rowne.
paused and looked at the door. Appar
emily the other person, Who'll doubted not was
Mrs. Colebrook, was speaking, but I heard
nothing. | threw myself into the chair and
began to SILVER with cold again. On the
table lay clean Marseies quilt, which had
been left there by a servant, and in the absence
Of anything better, unfolded it and threw it
over my shoulders. It completely enveloped
my body, and felt quite comfortable again.
"Destroy the new wi,' said Dr.. Rowne.
I dropped my book, for this looked like foul
play. 1t occurred to me that Mr.. Colebrook's
poor relations would have to suffer from this
midnight conference knew that he had an
only sister, an invalid who was dependent on
his bounty for subsistence, and my blood boiled
with Indignation as | thought of what might
be the result Of this midnight interview
| arose from my chair and went to the door
That the end will justify the means | do no:
think is sound logic, but where poor, suffer-
ing, dcspondcnt woman was in dan9crof being
cast upon the tender mcrcts of a cold world,
[ was content TO be blamed for the mcanness
Of caves dropping, if thereby l could prevent
SO foul a wrong.
Before did it could not but recall the re-
puted character of Mrs Cocbrook. Without
believing much Of th~ gossip that had boon
circulated concerning her, could easily arrive
at the conclusion that she had been the banc
of her husbands happiness.
[ had been personally acquainted with him
who now lay cold in death before me, so that
| am obliged to guess at the facts in the case.
My own observation, though | moved in an
humber sphere than she, was sufficient to as
sure me that all was not right. [ placed my
ear to the key-hole.
hen we are married -
" Hush !" said Mrs Cocbrool.
They spoke in whispers then, and I could
distinguish nothing more. Need have heard
more 2"
"Womon, angel, or devil ?"
Was it she who had wept great tears in my
presence, WHO had trcmbIeL in the agony Of
grief before me, now calmly plotting with the
paramour, bargaining away the affections
which should have fingered like a weeping
angel over the couch of him who was not yet /
buried out of her sight? Was it she who |
had groaned in bitterness at her bereavement, |
now scheminy to rob her sister and orphan Of
her bounty?
''Oh, woman, false as fair Yet she is not
a woman she is a demon -
The clock struck twelve and turned from |
my reflections to attend to the corpse. The
alcohol which had been prepared to wet the
face had all been used, and needed further
supply. Taking the dish in my hand, [ went !.
to the door with the intention of calling Mrs. !.
Cocbrook for it.
First rapping on the door not to surprise
them, opened it and stepped into the ROOM !
Il need a. little more alcohol, Mrs Cole
BROOK" | began. !
She rose from her CHAIR and with one long
and most unearthly Shrek, fell upon the floor.
DR.. Rownc's knees smote each other, and he
shrank back to the furthcrcst corner of the .
room.
"Who are you?' he gasped.
OF course | was very much surprised at
hat singular reception. Long familiarity with
he dead had made me 50 indifferent to those :
breads and fears which 50 disturb many per-
sons, that l had little consideration for ner-
'ousncss on this subject.
"Who are you :? " groancd the doctor, his
ceth chaucring with terror.
Then it flashed upon my mind that the
luiIt which cnvelopcd my body was the cause
# the mischief. | was inyoIuntagiIy person.
ting the ghost Of the deceased, Mr. Colcbrook,
md | do not wonder that the guilty wife and
vretched accomplish were terrified when at
midnight sta]ked into the room.
| had pinned the Counterpart around my
eck, SO that nothing could be seen but my face.
was a ghost!y spectre, coming
How awful in that hour WREN conscience stngs."
o curse her for the base trcachery she was
No wonder she tainted, no won
Ter even the doctor trembled.
threw off the quilt and told the doctor
Who I was.
See whatyo have done " said he, point
ne to the PROSTATE lady.
81 heard some voices here, and came for
ONE alcohol"
"Nced you have come in that 9arb 20
/ had quite forgotten that l had the quilt
H."
" You have killed her, l believe" he con
nucd, bending over the PROSTATE form Of
Irs COcbrook.
We raised her up and placed her upon tie
,urge. She was not dead, and presently her
yes opened.
" W here is hc?" gaspcd she, shaking con-
ulsivcly.
8" Be calm "
" lie will haunt me all my days."
1T was only Mr.. Norton"
Her eyes gIared upon me, and then rolled
P in her head Heaven grant that I may ;
ever see such an expression again. She was 5
a fit.
The house was alarmed, and DR.. Rowne
5ed every excrtion to restore her, but all in
lin.
:" She vii! die,' he said, savaycly "you
ave killed hcr.''
=" Which will did you destroy, Doctor" l
ked.
He staggered into the corner of the room,
liable to reply. He would never accuse me
gain, and yet promised not to expose him
ltlt was in Difference to the invalid sister of
c deceased that | allowed myself to be 81
ut in the presence Of nfamy.
Before daylight there was another corpse in
e house and it was told for two months af-