The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-10-28

the road, got I'D, and drove OIL rapidly TO I
ward Chalons." :"
"Finally we have the finale Of act the
first" remarked Henri
Yes responded the musing Irene,
toying with the object of so much dis.
cussion, which was in reality of but lit,
tie intrinsic value, and in no way remark
able, excepting from popularity of de-
sign. 1t was of clear bloodrcd corne-
lian, 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 your gift, look
upon as worthless,can possess to render
it so exceedingly precious eyes in the
eyes of the. man, cannot eonjectuge,S
continued the puzzled Irene. -
Il think | can furnish you with clue
to the foundation of this extraordinary
interest,"" remarked Henri. "What was
his general appearance2 That of a
coarse, ill-bred person"
"Far from that" He was quite tall,
not over feshy, well dressed, and refined
in bearing and language. His couute,
nance betokened much illness at some
early period of his life or excessive dis
sipation."
SsShould your cross -enamored friend
call again,an l should much doubt if he
ever does," said Henri, 81 am the per-
son with whom he must deal"
'Why with you dear ?"
because the object he is so 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"
81 apprehend such to be the case
That cross was found upon spot where,
but few days previously, revolving
crime had been committed. If my sur
misses are correct, this strange visitor of
yours was the author of that crime. II
so, he and that little red cross are old
acquaintance, and he would readily sac
ri6ce several times the FIVE hundred
francs to compass its possession. Why ?
Simply because so long as it remains in
other hands than in his own, he is pain
fully conscious that it NAV at any mo-
ment rise up in judgment before him, and
cost him the more irreparable sacrifice
of his head"
s'And you have kept all this dark his
tory from me-" complained Irene.
81 have, but will no longer l have
refrained from making you acquainted
with the circumstances that are assoeia
ted with my finding of the trinket solely
from fear that the knowledge might
cause you to conceive a morbid dislike
to 1t, and, as it really is pretty toy, ]
like 20 see you wear it. And now for
the mystery. Do you remember the mur:
der, six years ago, Of nobleman of the
name of Comte de st. Armande, ins the
Rue de Germaine ?'' -f.
"Distinctly," replied Irene. "All Par
is was thrilled with horror at the myste
ry and barbarity of the deed. But what
association can this cross have with that
dreadful affair? p
'sAn intimate association. That cross
was found by me on the Identical spot OF
the murder, and but three days thereaf-
ter. If you will closely examine the un
derside, you will observe small drilled
hole at each extremity From these
holes l am led to infer that it was worn
by the unknown assassin on the fatal
night in question; and, furthermore that
it was wrenched from its tastenings by
the hands of the hapless Compile in his
dying struggle. Naturally enough, it fell
to the ground, where I found it. To this
day, in spite of the superhuman efforts
of by no means obtuse police, and the
incentive of fabulous reward by St
Armand's relatives, the murderer is un.
discovered, and the whole affair remains
wrapped in impenetrable mystery After
all these unrevealing years, who shall say
that the coming together of this man
and the cross is not the working of 0
retributive fate? Too we'll does the man
of 'inexplicable fancy know that the lit
tie toy he covots is adequate, if it falls
into proper hands, TO work the crucifx
ion of great scoundrel."
"UghT shuddered Irene. ssAnd
have been wearing it all this time, and
admiring it. totally ignorant of the ter
rible thing its red blood color symbol
zes. / can wear it no longer Here
removing from her shrinking neck the
chain by which it was suspended-.I
can never view it with no interest," bu,
with that of horror and she threw il
nervously into her husbands lap"
4, "Why, you little fool" SAID Henri, in
a jocose tone; "are you going to faint
Are you afraid Of it? 1t is just as harm
less as it has been, and just as beauti.
full"
Il do not it, replied Irene, shrink
ing from it nevertheless. 81 am not that
foolish. But | dislike it. It's innocent
charm is lost to me forever"
CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK