The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-09-20

ey, and you are afraid to pursue youl
Journey with it through the hext forest
at night. Is not that true?'
At first I was so amazed at the
strangeness of the question that could
not answer. Finally, however, l re
piled quietly, SIT is true, Chevenix.n
"Listen TO me, them" he continued,
growing more agitated still. "I wish
you to lend me part of that money.
will place everything l have in the
world into your hands as assurance OF
its return-nay, will secure you my
soul, my very soul, Lyncroit. l must
obtain means at any cost for one more
| glorious revei"
He began taking short Steps to and
fro, his limbs quivering with excite
ment, and his eyes lighted up with
strange, unearthly fire.
"You have heard of the slippers of
Rochester and Buckingham, of the
Duchess of Berii, of the French 'Revo-
lutionists? To mine they were moth
ing You shall see for yourself, if you
will. Come, Lyncroft, what say you
The money must have, by the pow
ers of perdition :? Do not shake your
head, man! Do not think to refuse
me! say to you, L will have the
moGeyw
His voice rose almost into scream.
My first wild thought was that he had
gone mad. / advanced to take him bv
the arm, and to use some kind of sootil-
ing persuasion until could get him
within reach, of assistance. But he
stood back, glazing at me angrily.
"Speak at once" he said; 81 have
set my hopes upon what 1 ask, and
must MOI be disappointed. Refuse,
then, at Sour personal peril"
This la5t threat was SO much in the
mans own style, that 1 instantly
changed my mind with regard to his
insanity. Consequently, felt no fur
Their scruple on any score, and answer
ed boldly, "Chevenix, you can not
have one groat of the money. 1t has
been entrusted to me-; I am RESPONSE
BILE for its delivery intact. Rather
than be annoyed will, these importuni-
ties, l will go away from Burgoyne
Park, and confde myself to the forest
and night"
| He saw that 1 was in earnest, and
paused for second irresolute; then
he burst into a short fit of hysterical
laughter.
II do but jest, Lyncroft," he said.
''Come, old friend, Let us go to tlinner.n
He took my arm rather rudely, and
we pursued our way.
of You did not perceive that was
in jest, you can not know me very
well. People will tell you that even
grim Guy Chevenix is facetious some
times. Oh, it is mad world-a mad
world! We are arrant knaves and
lunatics ALP
At dinner he was even wilder still;
but let me add that, withal, he did not
taste single drop of wine. His friends
swallowed glass after glass in furious
succession, and at every instant press
ed BUMPERS upon him; out he stsadi-
ly refused all their challenges and
salutations, and wetted his lips only
with little sweetened water.
| At lastlthe merriment grew so bois-
ferrous, so uncomfortable though it
was hardly fair prologue to the sup
per which was tofollow after midnight,
that could not sit still any longer.
Besides, l felt by no means certain
that should be able to keep my wits
about me if continued to yield to the
DRESSINGS to drink so many absurd
toasts. To avoid this then rose and
sought the grounds.
Burgoyne park was truly a beauti-
full residence. Notwithstanding the
neglect into which its present owner
had permitted it to fall, there were vet
traces of its past grandeur. l wander
ed everywhere, drinking in the SPLEEN
dor of the evening and the scene.
By some odd fortune, I presently
found myself on the north side. Look
ing up accidentally at the turret, whose
walls shone in the dying sunlight,
was at once rooted to the spot on
which l stood. A second window,
grated, and smaller than the window
to the west, could be distinctly dis
cerned. Certain was l that no such
opening was apparent within my room.
l wondered greatly.
However, the night came on very
fast-the dinner, remember, had been
late-and l was obliged to cut my
|speculations short, and go in. To
avoid CIevenix and his boisterous
company, ran up the spiral staircase
quickly and without noise, and sought
my chamber. Igniting my Candida
bra, looked around and examined
my walls attentively; certainly there
were no outlets excepting the western
window and the door.
took my light to set it upon the
desk but here I met with another