New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-30

she had risen from her chair and was stand
ing with her hands covering her face. A
few steps brought me to her side. She re-
moved her hands, and saw that her face
was as pale as death, and that tears were
streaming down her cheeks. She did not
sob, there was no agitation of manner and
though knew she was moved she was evil
IDENTIFY trying to conceal the fact. / be-
came intel ested. The mystery was at last
beginning to be exciting, and determined
to see it through to the end.
took her hand in mine, led her to a
seat, and placed myself by her side. A
single lamp shed its soft light upon us.
She was wonderfully beautiful, and her
rich evening dress set off her fully devel-
oped form to great advantage. / believe
felt all that men generally would feel in
such situation, and began to think that
had been too harsh in my feelings toward
her. Before had time for further retlec-
ton, she gently withdrew her hand and
said
Il hope you will pardon what must seem
to you very singular behavior. did not
recollect you at first; but now dimly re-
call your name, face, and voice, as though
| had met you in dream or known you
AOhS aSO dAu L cCCLu W Dc utdWu tOHdIu
yOu and irresistibly impelled to speak of
events which, perhaps, for my own safety,
ought to keep concealed"
She spoke with fervor and apparent
honesty. Little by little felt my GOODNESS
vanishing, and l, who had once cordially
hated her, now began to experience an
entire revulsion of feeling.
Il know enough of my own life," she
aontfnOad oTtar cbort
that have done many things of which l
have no distinct recollection. There are
times when am not myself, and when l
am moved like an automaton by power
not of my own nature. have just been
freed from the bondage. Henceforth it may
be different with me, for the Infamous
wretch, whose slave have been, hes in
this house dead"
dead !" ]. exclaimed, "Who is dead ~
"The man who was my husband; he died
an hour ago from the effects of a poison he
intended for me. l tried to save his life,
wicked and brutal though he was, but the
only book that could have taught me how,
l was never able to find, and for six years
the deadly substance has slowly but surely
been doing It's work"
what book do you mean 20 said, while
DlOOu III d IDTTtul ~ ldCe.
"a book that have tried all means for
obtaining, but without success. There is
but one copy in the world. That once be-
longed to my husband, and from its direc-
tons he made poison which he designed
administering to me. BY mistake be took
the draught himself. The book. which con-
tanned also directions for preparing the anti
dote, was soon afterward stolen from him;
l. la1anosw,. -
of the assassins prepared an imperfect rem
edy which prolonged his life till now. This
remedy consisted in great part of sub
stance which the assassins take when they
purpose committing a murder. | was
forced to take this as often as it was given
to my husband. While it retarded the &C.
ton Of the poison in him, it rendered me
almost insane. Under its influenced hav G
lived life entirely distinct from my natu.
raj one. Strange to say, have no clear re-
membrance OF what | have done during the
daytime for the last six years."
And now you are free?"
"Yes, thank God!"
"And you do not recollect our meeting
every day and going together to the book
shop in the Piazza di Montecitorio?"
mot distinctly. though | can recall
sUtuG GNCubS Wlitn dlC oSsOCidlCu W I'LL 1Ous
Every night at nine O'Clock the first dose
was given to me. 1t was repeated at in
tervals till morning. The effect was to
arouse me to action, to excite my mind
and to cause me to act upon the last idea
which was suggested by my ty-
rant. When it was judged that I was
sufi GENTLY stimulated, 1 was ordered to
go and search for the book. 1t must have
tfyna1 hat mt I ho,
indistinct idea that you were supposed to
know something of this book, and that
was directed to watch you. After my re-
turn went to bed and slept the remainder
of the day"
"Why did you take this substance?"
Because was compelled. Force was
several times used, and, besides, my hus-
band had written false statement relative
to the cause Of his illness, and had given it
to the Arab. In this paper he charged me
with administering the poison to him. Had
refused obedience, this statement would
have been placed in the hands of the police,
and / should probably not have succeeded
in clearing myself of the accusation
"Why did you invite me here to-day ~
She put her hand to her head and re-
NAMED silent few moments, as il en-
deavoring to collect her thoughts.
1T was for some reason connected with
the book" she at last said, land think
was also directed to poison you.n
This was not very agreeable information:
What if were now in trap from which
could not escape with my life? / looked
around me instinctively for the means of
getting away. She observed nay move
ment and instantly OWNED my thoughts.
There is no one here now to harm
YOU" she said. THE Arab, who was
my husbands chief reliance in all his
schemes, and who was devotedly attached
to him, committed suicide as soon as his
master died If you will come with me,
will convince you that have spoken the
truth"
She arose, and accompanied her
through several apartments till we came to
door, before which she stopped for an in
slant Then she resolutely opened it, and
entered the room. followed her. By the
dim light of a fire that burned sluggishly
by the hearth, saw man lying on bed,
and another on floor. | stopped down
and felt their pulses in turn. Their bodies
were yet warm, but life was certainly extinct
in both. While / was examining them my
companion lit couple of candles that
stood upon the mantelpieee. l took one
of them and looked into the face of the man
who lay upon the floor. His features were
Oriental in their cast, and were as delicate
as those of a woman. had never seen
him before. then approached the bed,
and held the candle close to the face of the
dead man stretched upon It. His face was
almost concealed by dark and heavy
beard, but / saw that it was thin and
wasted. As looked my memory began to
awaken. had seen that face somewhere