The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-08-09

asleep. left him where he was, and telling
the servant not to disturb him, went to the
ball
The sister never looked more beautiful or
appeared to greater advantage than on that
night, and Mary especially shonc II brilliant
star.
At length supper was over, had accom-
panied Mary to the room and from il, and
was standing with her again in the ballroom
apart from the rest. We were conversing
together in whispers, What we said will
not repeat; il is enough to say that played
Romeo, and thas Il kind Juliet was not want
ing.
Suddenly AT the upper end of the room there
was struggle and some confusion, and in
the midst of it all stout, shaggy headed, cl.
derby man. pushing aside the hands that
sought to stay him, strobe into the place, and
stood like Il rock in the center of the apart
mcnt, gaping from side to side with harsh,
disagrccabc lccr, The ladies screamed, and
several of them tainted. Mary DithmerI
shrank back, and clung tightly to me in sheer
terror.
"Who is it," asked, when had recover
cd from my temporary establishment.
But Mary could not reply. SPECIFICS ana
pale as ghost, she gazed at the intruder like
one turned to stone. The whole Dithmcr
family stood as if transhXcd.
|
what you do while YOU think me dead. En-
Joseph Dithmer? But you see I'm alive yet
and am come at last to denounce your crimes
and those of your fiendish family. You
thought you had murdered me, eli? Well i'll
wasn't your fault that I'm alive. Your hired
asSassins betrayed you. Why don't you wei
come me? Where's your hosptalityY
The guests stared at one another and at
their host at this speech in stupid amazemcnt
At length Dithmer grew in measure calm,
and addressing his friends, said in an un-
steady voice:
Gentlemen, ladies, friends; this is an un.
fortunate scene; try to forget it. | vii OK.
plain another time. Now please leave US"
Still the intruder stood undisturbed and
frownng in his position, and Arthur, who |
had sprung forward toward him as if to eject
him or administer personal chastisement, was
caught midway by his father 1t was
strange and incomprchcnsiblc affair, and the
guests evidently did not know what to make
of it, as by ones and twos they slowly de,
parted
MARY" said to my companion, "let me
take you into the air-anywhcre from here
This is awinl"
"No," she said firmly; Il must remain with (
my family, and share the worst with them" ;
And with gentle force she led me TO the outer
all this mean Had there been fraud and at
tempted murder by the family had so long
revCrcd? | could not believe it, resolved
to have my doubts cleared by personal expla' !
nation the following morning.
Duff had vacated my apartments during
my absence, and, thank heaven, was alone
with my thoughts and sorrows, | went to
bed and dreamed My dreams were in the
last degree awful.
awokc in a cold sweat and found that it
was daybrcak | rose, dressed myself and
then, early as it was, hurried off to Dthmer's |
Judge of my surprise, on approaching the 7
house, TO find it OPEN and the lights of the
night before all still brilliantly burning; the
house had evidently been open ever since the
sudden exodus Of the guests | shuddered, L
and a namclcss prescntiment of evil fastened '
upon me as | went up the steps and entered
the mansion 1t was deserted. | went into I
the ball room; it was silent and empty, and Z
the flaming gas gets but increased its horror
and gloom. | ran up stairs and searched |
chamber after chambcr--all vacant all void.
| called aloud on Mary, on all the occupants {
OF that splendid mansion; no response, not Il
even an echo 10 my own voice, and | threw a
myself down upon a chair and groaned. t.
Just then heard heavy step near me- and u
in marched the intruder OF last night, in Dith. y
mars dressinggown and slippers calmly u
smoking short black, stunted-looking clay r.
pipe. He took the pipe from his mouth and =
me coolly and deliberately, but said ,
lot word. All of the anger of my nature a,
was aroused Mt the sight of this accurscd :.
wretch, and went towards him with look u
If rage He put his pipe back into his mouth, u
nd folding his arms over his breast Contin =
led his survey still without a word .
"Dpyi1in | cried "Nhn arr Won and what is =
our ticndish power over this house and this
amily,"
The smoker only smiled and said r,
"Do you like music:' Il
Was ever such question asked at such Il NJ
ime? | was thundcrstruck, and remained "
With ny hands clinched, silently staring II
$40 you like musCT' :,
The question was repeated; and without r
Waiting for an answer this time, the strange q,
eing glided To the open piano, and sitting on III
he stool, pipe still in mouth, played grace
ally and elegantly some of the wild stormy u
lusic of Robert lie Diable" Then having IL
oncluded his Instrumentation, he. sang in a q,
oft and almost feminine voice "BObert, Rob. *
1T TOT que Jaime" from the same great work or
I Meycrbccr. The man was evidently for q,
often i'll the musician; for when the perform n,
hrat opened his lips to give vent 10 the first M
words of the song, his pipe tumblcd from IN
between his teeth, and was dashed into frag. In
nents on the floor | remained wonder.smit. hi
en- and still At length the song beng end
'd, The man turned towards me rs if for my
APPRECIATION.
Among other qualities was an enthusiast Ii
N music; and full of horror for the individ or
lal before me rs | was | could not helm Oh
nwardly admiring his great mastery over the 81
science of harmony; but this feeling was but W,
and as soon as | could sufficient 60
y. callcct myself, | demanded where the ce
)ithmars had gone TO so suddenly, and rciter- Is
tied my inquiry as to who he was. He tn
Wheeled round on the piano stool and looked
t me tiXcdly.
as it possible you don't know mcr' he said
n tone of quiet surprise
! assured him that he was perfect sran gor ne
D me, He appeared quite puzzled, and then /,
cplied; -,
II am the real Joseph Dithmar" y,
'A no then lac Mlp until Ia II