Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1873-01-30

al hesitated and then told him."
al wish you had not hesitpted and then
not told him. Something of a moment
may grow out OF his curiosity. But it will
not matter. Then be departed ?''
No; lie stood absorbed in troubled
thought few minutes, as though weigh
ing deep problem, and then said he had
taken very strong and eccentric fancy
for the trinket, and asked if would for a
consideration consent to part with it,
"What was your reply to that very
businessike proposition ?"
That, being your gift, l should much
dislike to let it CO."
"Of course that must have terminated
the conversation"
"Of course, but it did not, though 1t
| became more pointed than ever.
"Well, well am eager to learn the
denouementn' said Henri. "If | am
not at fault in my surmises, something
will shortly grow out Of this affair that
will interest very wide circle. Give me
the exact particulars What followed
ale said he was wealthy and did not
value money; and that he had conceived
so strong desire to possess the cross,
that, wild as the offer might seem, he
would not demur at giving five hundred
francs for it,"
give hundred, parbleu! The trinket
Is not worth five francs," said Henri,
excitedly. The man is either lunatc,
or-what | more strongly suspect him Of
being"
"And what is it possible for you to
more suspect him Of being?" asked Irene.
"A knave. in spite OF the temptation
Of five hundred francs, see that you still
bear your cross. would have thought
the sum sufficient to buy up all the crosses
ID Paris, and all the women bearing them
How did You resist ?p
If | did not know that your slur on
woman ard their crosses was said more
in humor than earnest, | would not give
YOU another word Of information. | told
the man that the offer was very tempting,
but tn It | could not possibly accept it
without first consulting you."
"That was noble reply my darling"
said Henri, drawing his wife close to his
side, bestowing on her an eloquent glance
and several passionate kisses. Here.
after | shall consider you cheap at fifty
thousand fraucs What said old Crnsns
to your priceless answerW
AT first he appeared much discom6t-
/ ed. After Il little he said he was going
! into the country to remain one week that
! he should return this way, and it |, in the
meantime, gained your consent, or con-
cluded to part with the cross without it.
he would make good his offer. And then
he babe me reluctant adieu, went to Il
post chaise that was waiting IN the road.
got in, and drove off rapidly toward
ChalOns.n
"FinaIly We have the finale Of act first"
remarked Henri
"Yes,o responded the musing Irene,
toying with the object of so much discus
ton, which was in reality of but little in
trinsic value, and IS no way remarkable,
excepting IRON peculiarly of design. 1t
was Of a clear, blood red cornellan, the
upright pillar being carved to represent
descending arrow, and the cross piece
very fine wrought imitation of wings,
:" What attraction this bit of IA thing
which, aside from being yoyr gift, look
upon as northeastern possess to render
it so exceedingly precious in the ewes of
that man cannot conjecture ntinued
the puzzled Irene.
al think can furnish YOU with clue
to the foundation of his extraordinary
interest," remarked Henri, "What was
his general appearance that OF a
coarse, ill-bred person."
"Far from that. He was quite tall, not
a,,oS u,,bx, ,ron 1-oa-n5 orl rafipaI IN
bearing and his language. His counte-
nance belokened much illness at some
early period of his life, or excessive dlssi-
patton"
"Should your cross .enamored friend
call again, and much doubt if he ever
Does" said Henri, am the persen with
whom he must deal
Why with you, dear?'
because the object lie 10 50 extremely
solicitous to possess has mysterious
history known only to myself
"And that mysterious history affords a
key to the solution to the seemingly insane
offer of five hundred francs ?"
~ apprehend such to be the case.
That cross was found on a spot where, but
Il few days previous, a revolving crime
had been committed. If my surmises are
correct, this strange visitor Of yours was
the author of that crime. If 50, he and
that l.ttle red cross are old acquaintanoes,
ard he would readily sacrifice several
times five hundred francs TO compass its
possession. Why? Simply because, so
long rs it remains in other hands than his
own, he is painfully conscious that it may
at any moment ride NJ in Judgment before
him. aud cost him the more irreparable
sacrifice of his head"
"And you have kept all this dark mys-
terry from me- complained Irene.
q have, but will no longer, have
refrained from making you acquainted
with the circumstances that are associated
With my finding If the trinket solely from
a fapr that tho knoWlplre uIrht cause