Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1873-02-08

| grow out OF his curiosity. But II VIII
not matter. Then he departed"
"No; he stood absorbed in troubled
thought few minutes, as though weigh
ing deep problem, and then said he had
taken a very strong and eccentric fancy
for the trinket, aud asked if | would, for
consideration, consent TO part with
"What was your reply to that very
business-like proposition ?"
"That, being your gift, l should much
dislike to let it 60"
| "Of course that must have terminated
the conversation"
"Of course, but il did not, though. 1t
became more pointed than ever"
"Well, we'll! am eager to learn the
denouement," 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 he had conceived so
strong a desire to possess the cross, that,
wild as the offer might seem, he would
not demur at giving five hundred francs
for it,"
"Five hundred. parbleu! The man is
either lunatic, or-what more strong
ly suspect him of being"
Sand 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, l see that you
still bear the cross. | would have
thought the sum sufficient to buy up all
the crosses in Paris, and all the women
bearing them. How did you resist ?"
"If did not know that your slur OH
women and their crosses was said more
in humor than in earnest, / would not
give you another word of information.
told the man that the offer was very
tempting, but that could not possibly
accept it without first consulting YOU"
"That was noble reply, my darling"
said Henri, drawing bis wife close to his
side, bestowing on her an eloquent glance
and sevossl passionate kisses. "IIereaf-
ter shall consider you cheap at fifty
thousand francs! What said old Cresus
to your priceless answer?"
cat first he appeared much discomfit-
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
concluded to part with the cross without
it, he would make good his offer. And
then he bade Inc a reluctant adieu, went
to post chaise that was waiting in the
road, got in and drove off rapidly toward
Chalons."
"Finally we have the finale of act
first" remarked Henri.
eyes," responded the musing Irene,
toying with the object of so much discus,
sion, which was in reality of but little
intrinsic value, and is in no way remark
able except from peculiarity of design.
1t was of clear, blood-red cornelian, the
upright pillar being carved to represent
a descending arrow, and the cross
piece very fine wrought imitation of
wings.
"What attraction this bit of thing
which, aside from peing your gift, /
look upon as northeastern possess to
render it SO exceedingly precious to the
eyes OF that man | cannot conjecture"
continued the puzzled Irene.
81 think can furnish you with a 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 over feshy well dressed, aud refined
in bearing and his language. His coun-
tenance betokened much illness at some
early period of his life, or excessive dissi
patton"
"Shouid your cross-enamored friend
call again, and much doubt if he evei
does," said Henri, 81 am the person with
whom he must deal"
"Why with you dear ?"
"Becanse the object he is SO extremely
solicitous to possess has a mysterious his
tory known only TO myself"
Sand that mysterious history afford
a key to the solution of the seemingly
insane offer of five hudred fra mes p
81 apprehend such to be the case
That cross was found on spot where
but few days previous, revolving
crime had been committed. If my sur
misses rae correct, this strange visitor o
, yours was the author of that crime.
SO, lie anu IldJ IJllS Ieu CiooS diS olu az
quaintances, and he would readily sacri
fee several times five hundred frances L
compass It's possession. Why Simpl,
because, so long as it remains in othe
: hands than his own, he is painfully con
: scious that it may at any moment ris'
= up in Judgment before him., aud cos
him the more irrepaarble sacrifice of hi
head"
"And you have kept all this dark mys
: terry from me-" complained Irene.
> 81 have, but will no longer. l hav
Q reiraned from making you acquainte
with the circumstances that are associa
. ted with my finding of the trinket solel
\ from fear that the knowledge NIGH
n cause you to conceive morbid dislik
TO it, and as il is really apretty toy.
g like to see you wear it. And now TO
Y the mystery. Do you remember th
9 murder, six years ago, OF nobleman
n the name of Comte de st. Armande, i
v in the Rue de Germaine ?"
/ "Distinctly," replied Irene. "All Pal
/. is was thrilled with horror, at the mys
g tery and barbarity of the deed. Blu
r. what association can this cross hav
with that dreadful affair ?''
p can intimate association. That eros
, | .o, c.,,oJ h,, ma on the Identical snC