The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-12-01

with white and pink japonicas, two or
three crimson couches, a cashmere shawl
of Tyrian dyes thrown over one; Mon
sieur Duclos, finishing his cigar, with his
feet as high as his head; Cecile flushed,
with q color in her cheeks like a live
coal, the black lace shawl hG.f off, and
trailing on the floor, her white breast
painting as if she were gasping with
suppressed emotion, and her two hands,
SO white and strong, pressed hard upon
it, as if to keep it down, pacing like a
tigress up and down the narrow bounds
Of the gilded cage.
Suddenly she came to a sideboard that
was near the window, and, pouring out
some wine, drank it feverishly. She
stopped moment and poured out an,
other glassful of the amber fluid, that
Quivered like melted jewels in the light.
She cast quick glance at Monsieur Du-
clos, and held her glass between herself
and the window. Then she took out a
tiny vial, and poured drop or two in.
Well! it might be medicine; [ could
not 90 breaking in with an outcry of
'Poisonw She did not offer him the
glass, but set it down I turned away as
he came to the sideboard, but looked
back in time to see him, drain the
draught, yawn sleepily, and go out Of
the room.
The next morning l was awakened
from the most blissful dreams. l felt as
if l had been sleeping about half an
hour. When the chambermaid came up
to say a gentleman wished to see me, I
came through the ivory gates of dreams
at once when 1 read Raymond Marvin
on the card.
/ hurried down. The young mans
face was haggard, and his lips white as
ashes.
"You've not heard, I suppose; Mon
sieur. Duclos is dead"
'sWhat? 2"
"Yes; he died last night so suddenly !!
Cecile sent me a note this morning She
is all alone, free now to begin life anew.
But so sad and lonely, overwhelmed by
the suddenness of the blow. came to
tell you, that you might release me from
my promise / must 60 to her, to com
fort her, at once"
All this he poured out in an incoherent
way, as if he were nearly crazed.
"Wait one day urged; 'that is all
I ask. l have reason to fear terrible
crime here Give me one day"
1 had hard task with him. He was
as unreasonable as young men are when
in love. But at last he gave me one day.
''Don't let her think me heartless and
unfeeling," he begged piteously.
II will explain it all" l said. Il will
see her at once"
There was a strange look about the
house, and hush within it, thought,as
if the strange and awful presence that
had crossed the threshold was felt by all.
"Madamoiselle sees no one," said the
trim servant-maid. "She has too much
of grief"
l meant to see her. .and urged my claim
in any way that suggested. l believe |
said was ali old friend ; so madamoiselle
came down.
She swept in with an injured air, and
seemed to shiver little, though it was a
hot July day. She, had kept fearful
vigil. A shadow had 'dimmed her beau
ty; her eyes looked CLASSY, and dark, and
hollow her lips were purple. The rest
of her face showed deadly pallor.-
She looked like one who had been in some
mortal combat. She let her superb eyes
restnon me for moment, but did not
recognize me. My diamond was blazing
on her hand
tPardon 1re madamoiselle," I said,
coldly, "f0r intruding on your great grief,
but perhaps you will now return me the
ring which you borrowed Of me six years
ago You had time, probably, to find
the 'C' which was scratched upon it with
a pin"
Not nerve quivered. A grand con-
tempt blazed in her eyes.
"You are mistaken iii the person" she
said in the most indifferent tone.
81 have said nothing yet to the police
1 went on, ''though | hear that Paris
detective is inimitable. I thought a In
dy in your position deserved chance Of
secrecy, but circumstances have arisen
to change my mind. l could not see a
promising young man destroyed by an
adventures. You shall not succeed in
winning the more priceless diamond of
4 true mans love-"
Then she blazed up,and her eyes seem
ed almost to emit sparks.
''How dare you, sir, come to insult me
at time like this p
"Yes," l said, II can imagine you
somewhat shaken, because this death has
certainly very ugly look. A man in
robust health, only somewhat excited
by q quarrel with his-what word shall
| use with his blood heated, comes to
his home, drinks glass of wine poured
out by white hands, and favored-mere-
ly favored-with colorless drop or two
from vial, that his fair one carries i'll
her bosom, and, strange to say, is found
dead in the morning. 1t looks suspi-
cious, certainly; but madamoiselle need
not grieve. The inquest sets such things
straight %
l cannot describe the changes that
passed over the beautiful face before me
.scorn, fear, wonder and despair, came
like masks upon it.
"Have you told Raymond Marvin this
pretty fiction p she said, at last
''He is waiting to hear it now,'' | said ;
'and the inquest will prove the fiction"
''Madman p she cried. "Why do |
not kill you:"
Because am not thirsty, and never
drink my wine mixed and because, too,
one murder is enough for You at time
"And you are readyt to denounce me"
81 must"
"Even if give you your paltry ring"
eyes" 7
1 knew only the public, proof would
ever set Raymond free.
She threw the diamond toward me, and
rose from her seat. She seemed faint.
An ashy pallor settled on her face, and l
saw those white, strong hands clinched
till thought the nails must enter the
flesh. She went to the same sidebcard,