Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1869-09-02

her head and shoulders. Nothing
remained but the clasping of the cir
clet of pearls, which was to be
Franks sole privilege.
! Marie summoned him, and in q
moment Nina's toilet was complete.
How proud and handsome my broth
er looked as he led her to the end of
the drawing-room to receive our
Iguests! Murmurs Of admiration could
be heard on all sides, for none had
seen my brothers. wife until that
night; and as for Nina herself, she
looked like some fairy queen. Her
pretty rosebud mouth was wreathed
in smiles for all.
After the arrival of the guests, the
ball was opened by Nina and a friend
of Franks, who lead the Minuet de
la Cour.
| l remember that the room was
much crowded and very warm, in
consequence of which numerous long
windows fronting the balcony were
opened, thereby giving the company
g chance to promenade through the
grounds and still obtain a view of
the dancers. l think it must have
been about II o'clock. While all the
merriment was at its height, l saw
Marie, the French maid, making q
sign to her mistress. Nina was talk
ing and laughing in circle of young
people, and did not notice her. SO l
went to Marie and asked her what
was the matter. She said she had a
note for madame. GA note" Yes, q
gentleman came UP on the balcony,
and gave her note to deliver to the
madame. She thought the gentle
man said it was short note from
Monster Latel.
"a note from Frank? Why, what
in the world did he write to Nina
for?" and, wondering, l took the
little folded paper and gave it to
Nina. She opened it with a queer,
puzzled look; then began to laugh.
"Why, how funny! It's from
Frak. He wants me to come down
to the summer-house,O Oh the edge
of the cliff, for moment. SO excuse
me ladies and gentlemen, and you
AMIGO milo, do the honorS to this cir
cle." Gathering up her long train
she laughingly left the room. We
all could see the white figure as it
flew down the walk in the moon
light, and at last disappeared in the
summer house.
Some one asked for music, and a
dozen proposed singing. So |, in
compliance, went to the piano. Song
after song followed, and l did not
note the passing OF time, until, look
ing up from the music, ] saw Frank
leaning on the end Of the piano, and
looking anxiously around the room.
Bending toward me, he asked:
"Where is Nina, Alice?'
"Nina! Why, where did you leave
her? Did she not come in with your
"Come in with me--what do you
mean? l have not been out"
"Not been outW rose from the
| piano with q sense Of something hor-
rible growing upon me. 1t must
have shown in my face, for Frank
caught the look and grew white.
Catching me by the arm he asked:
"Where did Nina go?"
Before i could reply, horrible
scream sounded in our ears. Wait
ing for nothing more, / ran through
an open window down lifelong gray
ell toward the cliff. Frank was close
beside and seemed to comprehend all.
Reaching the summer-house, some
thing white was seen clinging to the
rustic trellis-work over the cliff.
With one bound Frank reached it..
At the same moment ! saw another
figure appear from the outer edge of
the cliff. Something bright cleaned
in the moonlight, and with laugh
that sounded like a fiend's a figure
leaped from the rock down into the
river below.
| / reached Franks side somehow,
and there in his arms-the life blood
crimsoning her bridal dress-lay Nj
ma! Frank would not let a soul touch
her but himself; so he carried her to
their room and laid her upon the
couch.
She was dying fast, for the hand
that dealt the death blow knew
where to strike, but she whispered,
between the gasps: "Cara miO-l
thought was you--whO sent for
me. That INTERCHANGEABLE e-sis-
ter-oh, cara mio--dont let me diet"
"Oh, my darling, my darling!"
was all Frank could say, while his
face was white and rigid.
Nina spoke again: "Frank-he-
he said-I would-be his-in death!
But am yours still-it is your arms
that are-about mel am--your-
/ I,.,ry,St Clio raicol nm and