The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-11


nat the soul often lett the body, and before
cath could set his seal upon II some evil spirit
raitiue and watching It's opportunity would en-
:, and possess the mortal frame and cause Its
eemipe return to life, the entire change of char.
=. - being re only perceptibls difference when
estored to health. tAir
We often see persons recover from an illness
Then they have apparently stepped to the door Of
he chamber Of death, lifted the curtain and look
ID in upon the face Of the grim tyrant, and re-
h aced their steps to life and health. the same IN
face and form but utterly changed tn disposition
and character, and this change Is generally att
buted to the effects Of 90 serious An Illness. May =
not be that the true sorl has departed and that
demon in possession induces the singular actors |
that cause wonderment and SORROW to loving
friends? am inclined 90 to think aud wiz give
you case IN point.
Years ago there lived near me On humble cou-
ple, good, plain people, who had no thought above
quietly and honestly doing their duty to each
other and those around them, fully content with
the good each day brought in it, train and thank
fol Tor its mercies. They bad but one child,
beautiful little GIRL with bright, Intelligent lace
a graceful, 1.-the form, and sunny, cheerful tenn
per- always chiRlE and twsrns asos h . sns
house IKE some n it,s by her parents loved BY
ne rns SreW up fsr and delicate, modest and
eS il Rss u sna sAsFsa
An invalid ct the time was closely confined to
my room, and its windows over looking the ".ae
cottage and garden Of my neighbors, Adah got to
be quite pet of mine 90 far Is nod and smile,
or pleasant word went. until learned to look for
her return from school as quite choice hour 10
the day. Things went on In this feshion until
Adah had reached sixteen, . fair, gentle girl, 10
the bloom Of youthful pIettsnsess. one Gay
told that "Adah was not we'll [" then the word
came that she was worse, then ''no hope" for the
little petted idol, and forced myself into getting
so far from my room as their little cottage, -
look upon her lovely face once more.
She lay as quiescent as though really 10 the EN-.
brace Of death; the eyes closed. the breath
scarcely perceptible, and even while gazed
through tears upon her, 1t seemed for moment
to cease; then, with long quverng sigh 1t came
again, and she opened her soft hazel eyes, and
with q convulsive shuddsr that ran through her
whole frame seemed to struggle With death for
the priceless boon of life, and was the victor.
coon bloomed in her cheek; the elasticity returned
to her step her pretty eirlish form rounded and
swelled into exuberant beauty; but there was
a change. The things that had pleased Adah
pleased no more. She seemed 10 state OF con-
slant unrest and disquiet Her intellect expanded;
her wit glowing and sparkling like the gems that
fell from the lips of the little girl 10 the fairy tale,
made her conversation brilliant TO those around
her. She was no longer content with her humble
house and its duties, and one day was told that
che had disappeared; and when next heard Of
her che was on the stage, and 80 far from beng
| the modest gentle girl OF old, was noted for
being the most sensational actress and shamelo
| woman OF her day. .ey :
never quite lost my interest IN her, though
never saw er after she left her house, and It was
| with some surprise that found myself once again
mixed in with her history. The following frag
been noted for his intimate friendship with eel
| ebrated actress now dead. He sent 1t to me with
| these words as sole comment:
| "You have no doubt heard many tales Of my
| intimacy with Adah; it has caused much comment
| / am aware, and many rumors that cared not to
| deny, but to you say they were untrue, aud
| send you resume of our last conversation, q
| never saw her again until she was 10 her shroud
robed for the grave, as left Paris next day for
| couple of weeks and she sickened and died while
| was absent.) know that you knew her when
| child, and that the ideas che expressed you have
also partly believed. / therefore unburden my
/ soul Of his secret to you. From what knew o.
Aeah am ut times tempted to believe that Ypsst
10 you. = ELIZABETH
| One cold, rainy night last spring, Adah and
had been on q round through the charmed circle
that ever attracts the true Bohemian. | had
| thought her even more light-hearted and brilliant
| than usual, when as we left the last saloon she
turned to me and said "Come home with me,
Leon; am low tonight, and need the company
of true friend to c-ive away those do not care
to have, and yet cannot avoid II left alone Among
he hundreds who surround me, to you only can
turn with trust. for you alone have never said !:
Il love you, Adsh,' when too well do know
that II Is not the woman, but the blaze of her no.
toriety they seek. Were net the Adsh,' no "
many would be near ~
As we passed through the spacious hall of her
IrDcely residence she bade the porter to say
Not at home to all visitors; then passed the
| q brf liau Isohf
as asprng morn with flowers. Saying, f" Net there
tonight, Leon, )" she led me to her own boudor.
and leaving me for q few moments, went into her
DIE ssing room, and threw aside the male costume
she had worn while We were out She returned
roted In flowing gown of rich, white velvet.
bro idered in gold, and loosely bound at waist and
throat with cord and tsssel Of the same precious
metal. Throwing herself upon q broad. low
couch, IN an attitude Of utter detection her mas
rive white arms thrown carelessly above her
heel cleaning like ivory through the loose
sleeves, her long, tawny hair falling in heavy waves
around her, she murmured, Come, my friend,
pass your fingers through my tresses, talk to me.
for am sorrowful tonight" 1t pleased her to
have me pass my hands over her head, aud thread
the tavny strands through my fingers. 1t seemed
70 have q soothing mesmeric influence, though
never heard that she cared for the caress IL such
II could be called, from any other hand than mine.
Yet was not, could not be her lover. She sci.
mated and pleased my mind by her mental ability,
out olo not please me as o W0man her physique was
too massive for my taste-her notoriety revolted
me. could not love woman, however lovely.
who occupied and gloried In occupying the
position before the world that che did
and though more constantly 10 her company than
any other Of her male friends, we never spoke of
love, and therein lay the whole secret OF the 10
fiuence had over her-the charm she posse sed
for me.
For hours her vigorous, mind. seemingly cul.
tured by the scenes through which she had passed
n rQrvo and nh NJ 4,
We would travel over the whole routine OF meta
ply sizes, philosophy, natural ethics transceudent
alsm, etc. At such times I could not but
gaze upon her With curiosity and admiration
her clear hazel eyes would d'late and glow with a
iurid NE her long wavy hair seemed to emit
n1 rpsIkies OF light; her whole frame to be
niled with some supernatural influence that AZ
once fascinated and revoted me. as she advanced
idea after idea, strange and startling in their
Come. Leon, cit here on this low couch AZ she
head OF my cvan. Let me feel the pressure of
your hand upon my brow. shall not trouble you
long. for have almOaf m uv 81 a. -