Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-07-13
She danced away, and 1 crept to

She danced away, and l crept to
bed with heavy heart.
The next day she came to me glee-
fully. "My Caliban made his fortune
in trade" she said, "took his fathers
business and gave it up when his mill
ion was made. He showed me pa
pers and letters and things that |
didn't understand, though pretended
to. He didn't find his million in the
peoples cupboards. And he has pop
ped the question and | have accepted
so there's an end. Come, l know
you've had too much trouble; but
don't brood over it and 60 out of |
your head"
She tried to kiss me, but held her
off.
Listen, Grace" l said. "If you
marry this man, and | discover after
wards that he knows anything of that
awful night l shall denounce him.
"And welcome" said she. Then
with sudden childish burst of tears
she clasped me and cried, "Oh, Ella,
don't go crazy! don't 60 crazyl Try
to take comfort; try to be yourselfr'
1t was useless to argue farther, and
| left her.
So being betrothed to Grace, the
Cuban, Mr.. Zenzee was his name,
brought his hideous face to our home
every night.
| loathed it, but | had determined
to watch him. With this end, | en-
dured the sight and heard him talk.
At last | made him contradict him.
self as to the place where he spent
certain years. | confused him by
blunt enquiries concerning Cuba. |
became convinced that he was no more
a Cuban than myself. Then watch
ing him still closer | saw terror as
we'll as brutality in his eye. l knew
the man feared something. Closer
and closer my fancied proofs were
gathering about him, until | began to
see in him the actual murderer. The
man who had stolen barefoot around
our room, and the clay impress of
whose mutilated foot | had locked in
a closet in my room. Gould | see
his foot could be sure-not else
And that had now become the object
of my life; and all this while, despite
all my prayers and protestations, the
preparations for my sisters marriage
with Mr.. Zenzee were going forward.
The day was set. The time mar
rowed. Before that wedding day |
had sworn to make my discovery. |
worked now with two ends. Ny old
one, and that of saving Grace from
becoming the wife of monster.
| watched the foot as a cat watch
es mouse. but discovered nothing.
Time moved too fast for me; my ag-
ony grew greater and greater; |
could have prayed for days and hours
to lengthen those months out. At
last there was but one day between
the present in which | lived and that
in which my sister would become Mrs.
Zenzee. On the morning | awoke
with my plan fully matured.
| said to Grace at breakfast: "Since
the wedding is so near invite Mr.. Zen
zee to pass the evening with u.s.
"You are coming to your senses,
she said.
| made no answer After a while
| asked again. "Do you love him
Grace ?" and she answered: Il tolG
you once why l accepted him. Thai
is my reason still. After all, what 4!
love worth ?" but sighed.
My heart had been at ease on that
score before. 1t was even lightS
now. But how it throbbed with anx
iety! The day wore on tediously
and evening came with murky rain
but with it came Mr.. Zenzee. He tool
tea with US, and did his best to b,
agreeable; but somehow, in spite of
the remarkably handsome dress h'
: wore, he looked more the ruffian thai
ever. After tea we had out the card
) table and he showed US some strang
tricks at cards, and played agains
us, and cheated Us both for fun, an,
: laughed at Grace's wonder. The
Grace sang a while; and then, th
clock striking ten, my time had come
/ alt is cold night" said l
"Bitter," said he, shuddering. "Bu
| then | came from a warm climate"
. Something warm to drink woul
be comfort" said [.
! He frightened up.
s at would suit me-" said he.
5 "a bowl of punch" said l.
e Grace started.
}, punch! l thought you"
= | stopped her.
e "This is special occasion" said ]
+ "and to tell the truth, l have som
L prepared"
s. "Fond Of a drop yourself of a col
: night, and none the worse for i
ma 'am," said he, with a laugh.
y laughed too as / left the room
In the kitchen | found my punch-bov
/, full.
st at is hotr' said |.
t. Boiling" said the girl; and l sci
1t ed it on its tray with the ladle, The
le | called John, our coachman, a bur
h fellow over six feet in height.
d "John," said |, "stay near the doc
If 1 call you come and do what / te
you"
It, The man started, but obeyed.
d, | waited until l heard him pla
himself upon the still of the door, thu
n entered the parlor.
taste it, Mr.. Zenzee; is it n
n fine 2" | said, and then, as | stood ne
him, the bowl dropped from my hane
n and the contents poured over the c
bans knees. He howled, for t