New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-11-06


pllcation. l could see his form tremble,
I and turn aside to conceal the agitation.
Her lips continued to move quickly and at
last her words did their work, for he turned,
held out his arms, and she, with a cry
which could distinctly hear, flung herself
upon his bosom.
confess 1 breathed a sigh of intense
relief at the termination of the domestic
pantomime, and ever since | have been
racking my brain for solution of the mys-
terry.
During the day everything went on as
usual. | saw nothing of the lady, but had
frequently seen the gentleman pass in and
out with repose of countenance one
would little expect after witnessing the
dreadful scene of passion. This explana-
ton will be sufficient to give an insight into
the singular conduct of the couple. 1t was
evident there was some great mystery, not
unmixed with guilt, and my woman's curl
osity may be pardoned for undertaking the
task of its unravelment
Nothing, however, Of any consequence
occurred, and, although nearly week
passed, was no nearer the end until the
sultry night speak of showed me the win
dows were open and the room lit up in its
accustomed brilliancy.
While | looked with newly awakened
curiosity, | saw the gentleman cross the
room to the alcove and disappear for a
moment But only for a moment He
almost instantly emerged with a vial of
some liquid. walked to the centre table
directly under the chandelier poured a few
drops into a glass, which glistened like
molten rubies as he slowly counted them
out, laid the vial upon the table and SEEM
ed TO listen, with his face half turned |
| toward the alCoVe. Evidently satisfied that |
all was right he took a small powder of |
| something from his breast pocket and |
| emptied its contents into the glass. l could |
| plainly see his face, as the light shone full |
| upon 1t, which was almost livid. ] saw
hun raise the goblet, look at it between the
light, slowly turn it around in his hand. as
II to dissolve the powder, again set it on
the table, and with one hand press his
forehead while with the other he crushed
the small piece of paper which had CON
tanned the powder.
Perhaps he stood thus ten seconds
though it seemed much longer to me. when
he suddenly walked to the window and
flung the particles Of paper out, then took
up The glass again and with quick step
disappeared within the acove
This time he did not come out so quickly.
for 1t seemed long time to me as | sat
there in the suttocating atmosphere of that
summer night.
One by one the lights began to disap-
pear in the neighboring houses. I was
growing tired Of my watching, and began
to doze IN the chair by the window. while
the gas Jets in the room opposite resolved
themselves into fantastic forms, first grow
ing dim and shadowy, then blazing M into
u miniature illumination. as the drowsy God
took possession of my brain.
| must have been sleeping, as | awole +
with sudden start For minute could
not collect my thoughts, and when did So :
my first glance was at the opposite win
dows.
All was dark. Every light in the place +
was out. 1t must be very late" thought !
J. and walking to my Orc ssing-room, | |
looked at the time. Two o'clock, Good
heavens was it possible l had been sleep-
Ing by the window so long Forgetting all
about my opposite ncighbors, proc cd ] | (
TO disrobe myself for bed :
was Just in the act of unfasteniur nv
dress, when l heard scream! not an ordI- =
nary scream, but one which is seldom
heard, and when heard, curdles the blood n
n the veins. A woman's scream-a boIri- Il
Die sound that rings through the brain with f.
nameless dread Of somethinJ A vague. a
underlined terror seized me, and not well
moving what did, sprang to the front n
window, as the sound came from that direc- rs
ion. ~
oae look at the house ofmy opposite Il
lelghbors was enough. Again the light h,
ueamed from the windows and two fjr- en-
res came between the looking.glass and n
ne light. In moment recognized the
White robe Of the lady, which clung to her Dc
o iI like a shroud, Her long black hair M
oil In tWlning masses to her knees, and she IN
'as struggling in the arms OF the gentleman he
mad seen in the early part of the night. an
u l1e stillness OF the. sultry air could
lainly hear the voices. a.
" Minnie, be silent, | say" came in SUD- wi
ressed tones from he man. Bnt the w
oman was evidently too much excited to 10
eed him. u"
"0h; George, bring help to me; am dy- ba
Y heip Again the scream-more -
r0longed, more terrible than before. h.
ny tals time there was sound OF foot
cps in the street. The noise of RAISING CIR,
indows in the different houses, and tbe Sui
ulck CHATTER OF opening blinds.
All during the short interyal-sborter ma
IAN it takes me to write tiny eyes never hu
u tne opposite mouse. The couple con- col
nued to struggle. Now close to the win
wv, now far in the room. At last the VIII
oman's screams grew faint, and ceased the
together. The man held her passively in mo
s arms and carried her into the aleove inc
his figure passed from my sight. a ma me
ceman ran up the stoop and rang the bell. cal
seemed an endless period OF time until II A
as answered, and may be pardoned
r the confession when l say that NV heart ale
as beating so loudly that / could hear il, ple
here was no light in the hall when the me
DOT was opened, and could only see the | t
ladow OF some one, though [ could hear nv
ie words spoken quite plainly: sill,
What is the matter here ?" pls
4 was not aware that you had any right ito
inquire as to the every day occurrence
a private house." In this voice | re-
'gnlzed the man whom had a moment
eiore seen disappear in the alcove. los
am but doing my duty, sir. When he,
hythlng unu ual occurs in private house for
e have the right to inquire. / heard ~ H.,
Idy 2 voice several times before. TONIGHT ra s'
ndlt's my duty TO see that there ia notIing al
roDg in this asi
You deserve credit for the manner Won ~
mil your duty, but fear that Won will III,
disappointed in your calculations az 10 ~,
discovery OF any thing sensational beras
y wife has been i'll for some time--Jan'
III, and tonight she is deiirions uS
there anything in that fact which calls va
nth your assistance?" There was sar. %
site ring in the voice, but the good ma Il.
req oficer did not seem to perceive it. an,
r keaI 4