The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-10-17

gou another werd Of Information. ! told
the man that the offer was very tempting
bu that could no: possibly accept il
without consulting YOU
That was noble reply ms darling,
said Henri, drawing his wife close TO his
side, and bcstowIng on her an eloquent
glance and several passionate kisses.
Hereafter | shall consider yoa cheap az
ffty thousand francs What said old
Crusus to your priceless answer,
At lrst be appeared much discomited
Amer little, he said be was going into
the country to remain one week that be
shonid return this way, and Il hl the
meandme gained youf eons-45. or con-
einded to part with the cross without l.,
be would make his offer good Aud then
! he bade me a reluctant adieu, went 70 q
post chaise that was waiting il the road,
got IN, and drove off rapidly toward Cha
ions. .a.
Finally, we have the faale Of act first,
remarked Henri
Yes, responded the musing Irene, toy
Ing with the object Of 30 mueli discussion
which was IN reality Of bat little intrin-
sic value, and in no way remarkable ex-
cepting from peculiarly Of design IL
was ola clear blood-red cornelian, tue up-
right pillar being carved to represent a
descending arrow and the cross piece
very finely wrought imitation Of flying
wings
What attraction this bit of a thing can
possessto render it so extremely preei-
ous in the eyes of that man, lcannot con-
lecture, continued she. a.
think | can furnish you with clue
to the foundation of his extraordinary
interest, remarked Henri What was
his general Appearance Of a coarse,
ill-bred person?
Far from. that. lie was quite tall, not
over fleshy, wel-dressed, and refined in
his bearing and language. His counte-
nance betokened much illness at some
early period of his life. or excessive dis-
sipation,
Should your cross-enamored friend ey-
er call again, and | much doubt if he
ever does, said Henri, am the person
with whom he mnst deal.
Why with you, dear?
Because the object be Is so desirous to
possess has mysterious history, known
only to myself.
| Aud that mysterious history affords a
key to the solution Of the seemingly in
sane offer of five hundred francs?
apprehend such to be the ease. That
cross was found on a spot where few
days previous revolving crime had been
committed. lfmy surmises are correct,
this strange visitor of yours was the
author of that crime. lfso, he aud the
little red cross are old acquaintance and
he wonld readily sacrifice several times
five hundred francs to compass its pos
session. Why9 Simply because 50 long
as it remains in other hands than his own
he is painfully conscious that it may at
any moment rise up in judgement against
him, and cost him the more irreparable
sacrifice of his head.
And you have kept all this dark mys-
terry from me, complained Irene
/ have, but will no longer. | have
refrained from making you acquainted
with the circumstances that are associa-
ted with my finding the trinket solely
from fear that the knowledge might
cause you to conceive morbid dislike
for it, and as it is really pretty toy, /
liked to see you wear it. And now for
the mystery. Do you remember the
murder, six years ago Of noblcman of
the name of Compte de st. Armande, in
the Rue de Germaine?
Distinctly, replied Irene. All Paris
was thrilled with horror at the mystery
and barbarity of the deed. But what
association can this cross have with that
dreadful AFFAIR."
An intimate association. That Cross
was found by me on the identical spot
Of the murder, and but three days there
after Ifyou closely examine the under
side you will observe a small drilled hole
at each extremity. From these holes I
am led to infer thai it was worn origi-
nally as a breastpin and that it was so
worn BY the unknown assassin on the
fatal night in question; and, further that
ii was wreuched from It's fastening by
the hand Of the hapless Compte in his
dying struggle. Naturally enough II
fell to the ground where found it. To
this day, in spite Of the superhuman eff
orts Of by no means obtuse police and
incentive ofiabulous rewards by St. Ar
mande's relatives, the murderer is undis-
covered and the whole affair remains In
impenetrable mystery After all these
uurevealiug years, who shall say that the
comiag together Of this m9n and the
cross Is not the working Of relributiye
iatei Too well does tie man Of the in
explicable fancy know that the little toy
he 50 coyets is adequate, II il falls into
proper hands to work the crucidxion Of
great scouudrel ....
Ugh! shuddered Irene, And have
been wearing il ali this time, and admi-
ring it, totally ignorant Of the terrible
hing ils blood red color sgmboiizcs. /
can Wcar i 40 longer. Every time my
eyes shall hereafter rest upon il, ms i'm.
aginalion viii coWure UP The phantom Of
a struggling man and / shah expect o.
,ce CORY arop. oozs from o. baf5ei poiat