River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-01-31

wish you mad not hesItnted and then
not told him. Something of a moment
may grow out OF bis curiosity. But it will
not matter. Then he departed ?'
No lie stood absorbed in troubled
thought a few minutes, asthough weigh
ing deep problem, and then said he had
taken very strong and eccentric fancy
for the trinket, and asked if would for
consideration consent to part with it,
What was your reply to that very
businesslike 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
denouementm 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 ?n
He 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.n
"Five hundred, parbleu! The trinket
Is not worth FIVE francs" said Henri,
excitedly. The man is either lunatic,
or-what l more strongly suspect him ol
being"
"And what is it possible for you to
more suspect him of beng?" asked Irene.
"A knaye. In spite OF the temptation
Of five hundred francs, sec 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
off ! 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 thst | could not possibly accept it
without first consulting you.n
"That was a 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 frarcs What said old Cresns
to your priceless answer?p
AT first he appeared much discomft-
ed. After little he said he was going
into the country to remain one week that
he should return this way, and if /, in the
meantime, gained your consent, or con-
cluded to part with the cross without it.
be would make good his offer. And then
he babe me a reluctant adieu, went to
post chaise that was waiting In the road.
got in, and drove off rapidly toward
Chalons.r
Finally we have the finale Of act first"
remarked Henri.
"Yes,7 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 from popularity of design. 1t
was Of a clear, blood red cornelian, the
upright pillar being carved to represent
descending arrow, and the cross piece
very fine wrought imitation of wings.
What attraction this bit of thing
which, aside from being yovr gift, l look
upon as northeastern possess to render
it so exceedingly precious in the eyes of
that man | cannot conjecture ntinued
the puzzled Irene.
" think can furnish you with a clue
to the foundation of his extraordinary
interest" remarked Henri, g What was
his geseral appearance ?-that Of a
coarse, ill-bred persons"
@Far from that. He was quite tall, not
over feshy well dressed, and refined in
bearing and his language. His counte-
nance belokened much illness at some
early period of his life, or excessive dissi-
PATTON
Should your cross .enamored friend
call again, and | much doubt if he ever
does" said Henri, E" am the persen with
whom he must deal.'
Why with you, dear ~
"Because the object he is so extremely
solicitous to possess has a mysterious
history known only to myself"
And that mysterious history affords
KEY to the solution 90 the seemingly insane
offer OF FIVE hundred francs ?"
IL apprehend such to be the case.
That cross was found on spot where, but
few days previous, a revolving crime
nhu Deen COmulltleu' III my suTihl5es are
correct, this strange visitor of yours was
The author of that crime. If 50, he and
that little red cross are old acquainiances,
and he would readily sacrifice several
times FIVE hundred francs to compass it's
possession. Why Simply because, so
long as it remains in other hands than his
own, no is painfully conscious that it may
at any moment ride up in judgment before
him, and cost him the more irreparable
sacrifice Of his head"
"And you have kept all this dark mys-
terry from me,p complained Irene.
al have, but will no longer. l have
RETAINED from making you acquainted
with the circumstances that are associated
With my finding Of the trinket solely from
fear that the knowledge might cause