Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-02-10
a blushing maiden had become bloom-

I y
ing bride.
II was some time before nv eve fel
on Clara. She was oonversinr with p
gentleman elegantly attired. and of tall
well-knit, graceful figure, whose back
was partially towards me.
| l advanced to greet her, extending
my hand. She cordially gave me hers,
for We had ever been The best oi
friends.
"Count Ehrenstein," she said, turn
ing To her companion when our sal
utations were over, "permit me to in
troduee nv friend, Mr.. Brandon. What
pity you and he didn't meet abroad. "
/ could scarcely restrain an exclama-
ton OF surprise at the first glimpse
eaught of the strangers face. II was
faultlessly handsome and strikingly in
tellectual, but as destitute of any trace
of goodness as if a demoniae spirit and
not 8 human soul looked out from
those glittering. snaky eyes!
Bnt it was not alone that face, SO
full Of beauty and Of evil, that struck
me with amazement. There were 9TH
er causes which the reader will dis
cover presently.
Conquering my repugnance, l utter
ed few commonplaces and hurried
away, pretending TO see some one in
the crowd to whom desired to speak
Seeking position from which l
| IO
l closely observed the Count and Clara.
She appeared uneasy in his presence
and yet unable to withdraw from it.
He had acquired some mysterious in
fiuence over her. When his eye met
hers q visible tremor would pass
through her frame Ii was the ser
pent fascinating the dove | believed
it in my power to dissolve the spell,
and resolved, without delay. to make
the effort.
They were seated now. As | saun-
tered near them, could overhear the
tones of the Counts voice. They
were low and musical, but had a subtle
vibration in them that made ones
nerves tingle.
Come, Mr. Brandon" said Clara
playfully, as l approached them nearer,
''tell us what strange things you have
seen in your travels"
"What shall begin with?' 1 an
swered in the same vein; Something
tragic, or something comic?'
"Oh. something tragic by all means"
"Well, the most tragic thing wit
messed was an efecutioa"
The count eyed me sharply.
Executions are no doubt very trag-
ic things" said Clara, "but shocking
ly commonplace"
"This one was not | assure you. 1t
was at Mannheim. (The Count start
ed. The culprit," | continued, "was
a young student of theology. His
face wore an expression OF serene gen.
tfeHess that might have haconas an an
gels. What men called his crime, he
gloried in as virtue. He had stab
bed to the heart man famous in let
ters, but in all else infamoas-a spy
upon his countrymen in foreign pay.
The assassin's name was Charles Lou
is Sand; that of his victim, August
Won Kotzebue!" This is an old mans
story, the reader will perceive.)
The Count glared at me with the
eve of basilisk. His breathing was
quick, and his lips trcmbled.
"But not the least notable feature of
the scene.' proceeded, "was the er-
ecationer. He was the best and yet the
arorst booking man ever saw. Fault
less in symmetry OF form and feature,
his perfections were those OF a devil! |
As he stood over the doomed youth,
posing aloft the glittering sword. he
seemed the incarnation OF Evil, endow-
ed, for the time, with power over
Good. And when the blow descend /
ed, and the blood spouted upward
from the headless trunk, 4 fendish !
smile lit up the headman's features,
that made all who beheld it shudder!"
"That man," added, turning for
the first time to the Count, possessed |
of genius and culture, but utterly des-
titute of heart or conscience, had as
sumed his hideous Office as the condi-
ton of pardon for a horrible offence.
After the execution of Sand, his life be-
ing in danger from the German stu
dents, he was liberally pensioned, and
conveyed out of the country. He is
now in America. Ihore seen rim since
nay return!"
'What is the matter, Count?" ex-
claimed Clara, as her companion sprang |
to his feet, his face white and CULVER
ing. /
al am not WE'LL" he stafnrered.
and unceremoniously withdrew.
"Your story has strangely affected
the Count" said Clara.
Count" | replied; he is the HEADS
MANI"
None of us ever saw him more; and
with him departed the only shadow
that ever fell on two long and loving
lives. Ledger.
Sickness FROM WALL PAPER.-The
Ill