Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-09-24

4 10 YOU very Billgnlar behavior l did not
recollect YOU at first; but now dimly re-
call your name, face and voice, rs though l
had met YOU in dream or known you
long ago; and seem to be drawn toward
YOU. and irresistibly impelled to speak OF
events which, perhaps, for my own safety,
| / ought to keep concealed"
She spoke with feryor and apparent hon
esty. Little by little | felt my coldnesa
vanishing, aud |, who had once cordially
hated her, now began to experience an en-
tire revulsion Of feeling.
81 know enough of my own life, she
continued, after short pause, ITO believe
that have many things of which | have
no distinct recollection. There are times
when | am not myself, and when am
moved like an automaton by power not
of my own nature havejus been freed
from the bondage. Henceiorth 1t may be
different with me, for the infamous wretch,
whose slave have been, lies in this house
dead
"Deadg" Iexclaimed. "Who is it that
is dead2"
l"The man who was my husband; he died
an hour ago from the effects of 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
| was never able to find, and for six years
the deadly substance has slowly but surely
beendoing its work.
"What book do you refer to2" asked,
while the blood rushed in torrent to my
face.
"a book that | tried oil means for OBJ
taininn Int without suCcess There is but
one COPY in the world. That once belong
ed to my husband, and from its directions
he made a poison which he designed adj
ministerine to me- BY mistake he took
the draught himself The book, which
contained also directions for preparing the
antidote, was soon afterwards stolen from
him; but an Arab servant, belonging to the
sect of the assassins prepared an lmper-
feet remedy which prolonged his life TIL
now. This remedy consisted III great part
of a substance which the assasslns take
when they propose committing murder.
I was forced TO take this as often as 1t was
given to my husband. While it retarded
the action Of the poison in him, it render
ed me almost insane. Under its influence
/ have lived life entirely distinct from my
natural one. Strange to say, l have no
clear remembrance Of what have done
during the daytime for the last six years.
e'And now you ore free
''Yes, thank God J. .r
"And you do not recollect our meeting
every day and going together to the book
shop in the Piazza di MontecitorioY'
'.Not distinctly, though | can recall some
events which are associated with you.
Every night at nine O'Clock the Arst dose
was given to me-. ltwas repeated at IN
teryals 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 tyrant. When
was Judged that l was sufficiently stimu-
lated. | was ordered to go and search for
the book. 1t must have been at these |
times that we met have an indistinct |
idea that you were supposed to know some |
thing of this book, and that l was directed |
to watch YOU. After my return | went to |
bed and slept the remainder OF the day.
"Why do you take this substance.
"Beca11se | was compelled. Force was
several times used, and, besides, my hus-
hand 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
Irefused 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 today!
She put her hand to her head and re-
NAMED silent few moments, as if endeav-
oring to collect her thoughts.
1T was for some reason connected with .
the book" she at last said, 'and / think
was also directed to poison You.
This was not very agreeable information.
What if wereynow in a trap, from which l
could not escape with my life2 looked
around me instinctively for the means of
getting ayay. She observed my move
ment. and instantly OWNED my thoughts
"There is no one here now to harm you,
she said. "The Arab, who was my hus-
bands chief reliance in all his schemes, and
who was deyotedly attached TO him, com
mitted suicide as soon as his master died.
If YOU will come with me will convince
you that l have spoken the truth.
She arose, and | accompanied her thro
several apartments till we came to a door,
before which she stopped for an instant
Then she Tesolutely openedit and entered
the room I followed her. BY the dim
light of fire that burned sluggishly by
the hearth, l saw a man lying on bed,
another on the floor. / stopped down and
felt their pulses in turn. Their bodies
were vet warm, but life was certainly ex-
tinet in both. While was examining
them, my companion lit couple of can
dies that stood upon the mantle-piece 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 af woman. /
had never seen them before. / then ap-
preached 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. As looked, my memory be-
gran to waken. had seen that face some
where, long ago, not as it now was, wan {
and haggard, but bright and ruddy with
health. As / stood by the bed vainly en- !
deavoring to recollect where, and under ,
what circumstances had encountered its /
now lifeless occupant | suddenly began to
feel giddy; film came over my eyes; {
heard roaring noise in my ears; [ stagger-
ed; the candle dropped from my hands,
and / would have fallen had not support
ed myself against the wall. In an instant,
Mrs Brown seized the other candle and
threw it into the fire. recellect that, and
nothing more; for, unable longer to stand,
I sank upon the Aoor and altogether lost
my consciousness. ]
When / came to myself was in my own '
apartments in the Piazza di Spagna, and '
my own servant was sitting by my bed
put my hand to my face, and was surprised
to find that my hair was thick and long.
recollected shaving myself the evening l {
went to Mrs. Browns. turned towards
the man st-8f f.tt 7 IL
'How long have been here, Giacomo?"
/ said.
'Four weeks yesterday, signor. You
have been very ILL., y"
''How did get here?"
II do not kBpw, Signor. / found you
lying as if dead at the foot Of the stairs."
I fhouoht a moment. All the events of