The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-12-03
COL. DEM. VOL. XXXIII... mo. Al.

This question brought me back to the
world of realities. | showed the old
man the painting / had just completed.
The affair was soon concluded, and Tou-
bac, well satisfied, descended the lad
der, entreating me 10 think no more of
the student of Heidelberg.
1 would gladly have followed my
good friends counsel; but, when the
devil once mixes himself up in our con-
Germs, it is not eaay to disembarrass
ourselves of him.
In my solitary hours, all these events
were reproduced with frightful distinct
ness in my mind.
"This old wretch" l said to myself,
sis the cause of all; she alone has con-
ceived these crimes, and has consum-
mated them. But by what means :?
Has she had recourse to cunning alone
or has she obtained the Intervention of
invisible powers?" | walked to and
fro in my retreat. An inward voice
cried out at is not in vain that Prov
idence permitted you to see Fielder
mausse contemplating the agonies of
her victim. 1t is not in vain that the
soul of the poor young man came in
the form of a butterfly of the night to
awake you. No, no; all this was not
accidental, Christian. The heavens i'm
pose upon you O terrible mission. II
you do not accomplish it, tremble lest
you fall into the hands of the old MUIR
deress Perhaps at this moment, she
is preparing her snares in the dark.
ness"
During several days, these hideous
images followed me without intermis.
sion. l lost my sleep; it was impossi.
bic for me to do any thing; my brush
fell from my hand; and, horrible to
confess, found myself sometimes gaz
ing at the cross-beam with sort o
complacency. AT last l could endur,
it no longer, and one evening descend
ed the ladder, and hid myself behinC
the door of Fledermausse, hoping t.
surprise her fatal secret
From that time, no day passed il
which was not en- route, following the
wretch, watching, spying, never losing
sight of her but she was so cunning
had a scent so subtle, that, without ever
turning her head, she knew l was be
hind her.
However, she feigned not to perceiv
this she went to the market, to tn
butchers, like any good, simple woman
only Fastening her steps, and murmu,
. ing confused words.
At the close of the month, saw ths
it was impossible for me to attain m
l object in this way, and this convictio
made me inexpressibly sad.
"What can / do?" said to mysel
$ "The old woman divines my plans
! she is on her guard; every hope abant
ons me. All! old hag, you think yo
II already see me at the end of your rope.
l. l was continually asking myself tn
/ question: "What can do? what can
'r do?" At last luminous idea strut
me. My chamber overlooked the hou
d of Fledermausse; but there was I
u window on this side. l adroitly raise
. a slate, and no pen could paint my jo
G when the whole ancient building W,
thus exposed to me. "At last, hay
l. you," l exclaimed; you cannot escaI
me now; from here / can see all thi
, passes-your goings, your comings,yo
! arts and snares. You will not suspe
this invisible eye-this watchful ey
a which will surprise crime at the mou
!; ent it blooms. Oh, Justice, Justic,
She marches slowly; but she arrives
i fro BE CoSTISUED.1