The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-04-22

hen she got opposite " erltyS G0urt
she hesitated, went back o few PAGES, then
turned. Then she suddenly stopped and
darted up the passage into the court.
BY shifting his position a Bit Ned had
II capital view of her now. He could see
clear in the court. now; but he noticed
that when she entered she dragged herself
along as ifwith pain, looking around as if
dreading to be observed. Il, aai3sf9
= If you know Verity's Court you'll know
that its ornament is the fountain in it. It
was the, giftIof Veritys maiden aunt. 1t
was very chaste, indeed, consisting of a
few inches of brass pipe inserted in mason
ry: A ladle. had been added by public
subscription-Ned's name heading tho
list. d. J ~ tna esMTG ~ gl
1t was toward the fountain that the IN
known. lady slowly made her way. When
she got there she stretched out her thin,
quivering hand, and made snatch for the
ladle. Then having first gazed around her.
with guilty apprehension, she drew from
her bosom paper which contained a white
powder. The sight ofitcaused her to turn
her head aside. She hesitated then with
a rash haste slid the contents Of the paner
into the ladle. ''' - >'''t'
The deadly poison Kissed and seethed
but she needed it not, her grasp was firm,
and with the determination of despair, she
gulped down the fatal draught then drop
ping the bowl from her puivering fingers,
she moaned' freely and totter,d from the
fountains side. 2is 1a4 1f'
It was fortunate that she had been OBJ
served. Ned had watched her with face
Of horror each step in the desperate act.
1t, had fascinated him so that all was over
before he had the power to interfere. But
now, half incredulons at what had happen
ed, he rushed forth to the court.
In an instant he was by her side, and her
arm was seized in his firm clutch.
Miserable woman !" he exclaimed,
"what have you done?'@
"I-I-0, sir !" she family gurgled; that
was all. fslw haa .%}&E3 IN liS'F It
Clicked with emotion she could only
raise an attenuated hand to herthroaty that
had already began tocontract spasmodical-
| ly from the effects Of what she had swa!-
lowed. na01
"You will live to repent this" cried
Ned, Indignantly 40 VIZ 4.
| Then Selling her in his arms, despite
her struggles and efforts to escape, he bore
her from the court. Gruflies red light
cleaned in his eyes as he emerged, and he
did not stop until he had conveyed his IN
wieIdly burden thus far, rushed into the
house and dropped litlinto the. surgery
4 chair. A stentorian shout from Ned bur
riedly brought the old man forth, and Ned
lhumiedly explained what had happened.
Poisoning ut the fountain ?" said
Grufles. What new form will crime as
sumo? Run, some Of you; let the ladlt
be secured; itmay prove fatal to others.
The command, addressed to q few strag
4 glers who had followed the patient it wa
eagerly obeyed.
Bull assure you" pleaded the trem
. bling and agitated womany" assure
you.
fNot "a word" cried Grizzlies, & keel
quiet till am ready" = =
/. But .flsse9 IsIsI
1 He had disappeared into the inner room
but almost instantly dashed out again.
"Now, quick y .gg1l .e
| With ruthless hand he tore open he
rigid laws. Then before shecouid utter
syllable, the instrument on which he relic,
to save her life was at work. 1t is not
pleasant thing that stomach-pump, to whicl
humanity owes so much, and the desperat
!, woman did not take to it kindly. Sh
strove with her arms, and kicked GU
fercely with her feet; but Ned held hel
and the surgeon vas-infexible.f He had
duty to perform and persisted in it.
I That is,. up4to a certain pointahe persiS
ted. Then the action Of his arm suddenl
ceased. ~ a4oj 80
.Why, woman, what is this, he fercel
demanded ;Inotlpoisonp ~ r
"a N-o-o4a she gasped.. - -
"Then what, in the name Of FORUM
brought, you here?'' y}'1
J "He did, sir" she gasped, pointing say
agely at Ned. CSC
But why not open your mouth!"
81 did, sir.". e i'.i 3}xhE
"Did? nonsense
"But did, strand then yoh put tn
f ere irts it, A.t
f She pointed disconsolately to the mout
of the stomach pump with onellaiIl, viii
| the other wandered soothingly over b
9 racked chest. .agG .ait tal
t Her piteoas look might have brought
! smile into the surgeons lhce, but it didn'
3 he was angry, Dat,a
= & But hang it, woman !" he exclaime
/. what does it all mean? Have you trit
r to poison yourself, or haven't you?"
i, IL haven't sir she returned I'm j
! nocent as q child unborn"
4 But you were at the fountain y
n .Yes."fia a 4
: "You were in state of alarm and Il
$ pidation Z"
(which Iwere." 9as
. "Apd you were seen to put white pc
!. der Into the drinking-bowl?"
e Yes. Sir, i was IcohieSS all
i "That's right"
nj at was what the chemist gave, me,
o come straight fromhis shop, ard feeling
>. hollow pain 10 myiaside-"
$ iaYou determined sclf-destruction
J aLOr'; no sir "''s. = : 49, f -
% "No?"
: Not as / ANA lone widow in s@Chr
d tian land, sir"
IS :. But your terror-yeur fear Of being
q tected-'i & ~ 4
- The asitatcd wonangslanee hurrie
nf round as if that was'stlll strong upon h
" Then, lowering her voice. and bcspcak
GruAles special attention, she replied