Litchfield enquirer., 1874-07-09


 As Davenant appeared too much agitat- ed and fatigued with this painful explana- tion refrained from pressing business upon him, but merely said that would call the next day evening at his hotel. It was necessary for him to look over the ac- counts of the estate. The city house, planned by Madam Davenant, was unfin- ished, and had suspended the work until the proprietor should return. He con sented to receive me at his rooms at the hour proposed, and there to Sarrange every thing to my satisfaction.
 Early in the evening of the next day entered his apartments. Here, as always, he was surrounded, buried, in luxuries of art and taste. Two of the suit of four rooms were filled with pictures, statuettes, and engravings; mostly unpacked and ly- ing without order or arrangement as they were taken from the cases. Davenant was kneeling upon the middle of the room, under gas candelabra, intentlY. studying an old and smoky-looking pic ture. "At Paris, Said he, without looking up, or even saluting me, "I become ac- quainted with on intelligent connoisseur who fancied he had discovered the mater ial used by the Italian masters as a vehi- | cle for color in painting. was at once | interested in that subject, and think l can now tell genuine old picture from a modern imitation by the quality of the varnish."
 | Before you left us," said I, venturing an idle remark, in keeping with his own,
 "you were deep in neurological mechanism, and, if may believe the housekeeper, Sarah Behn, you were making improve ments i'll Dutch clocks. Sarah says that the monthly movement added to the clock at Saltone was of your invention. Davenant rose up instantly and turned upon me as spoke with look at once terrible and penetrating
 "What does Sarah Behn know about it?" he exclaimed, in thick voice. ''Tell me the truth now; you have been lying to mo about the fire. She was burned, man burned in the fire, and 1t was" He paused and turned away.
 My astonishment at the violent emotion | of Davenant, excited by such a trifing cause, must have been visible, for his | manner became instantly calm. "This af- fair," said he, "has unsettled my nerves. Come into the bedroom; will lie down, and we will talk of business. I am not we'll; pardon my violence; old scenes, bit ter recollections."
 When he had composed himself upon the couch and swallowed @ customary oplate I drew forth my papers. He ex- amined all intelligently, and gave direc- tions, which I wrote down. My expenses were reimbursed, and funds appropriated for clearing away the ruins of Saltone and building new villa, more splendid, if possible than it's predecessor. ''You will be solitary" suggested, Gin so large house."
 "No," said he, his face radiant with a cTooI1a 0f bor0o GGT eho1 ba hon1ov T unoou to marry Bessie Satterlee; we have loved each other these many years. She will be | mine-she will be minel The other was a | demon, but this one is an angel" ''Bessie," said I, ''is handsome girl, 1 but uneducated. You will be an admir- 1 able instructor, however, and she can not but learn from person she loves"
 "Uneducated, did you say? Curse on education. Was nut the eether--she--edu- cated?-pah! Give me innocence and goodness of soul; ask for nothing more"
 Reasoning with lovers or madmen," thought I, ''is equally fault" It was now late, and I rose to depart.
 'Stay," said he, "what have you done with the papers-I mean those that were in the vault? There were some memoran- da of inventions"
 "The iron chest is at my ofice," I an- syered. '1t was filled with documents. Those that were sealed were of course not opened"
 ''Send them all to me to-night-all. I can not sleep till have them.''
 Late as the hour was-past midnight found 1t necessary to comply with this absurd requisition. By three Tn the morn ing, after infinite trouble, I succeeded in getting the cumbrous iron chest into the hotel and bedchamber of the mad Dave nant He insisted upon mysstaying with him while he looked over the papers. I lay down on the sofa and fell asleep, leav- ing him eagerly and anxiously unfolding and searching. Suddenly was awaken ed by 8 rude shake. Covenant stood over me. In the expression of his haggard features was dreadful mixture of horror and suspicion. "Get up Sir," he repeat ed; dragging me by the collar, ''and say what you have done with the paper. You have it-no lies or will kill you-up, I say: you have read it, see it in your eyes confess -wretch-confess, or strangle you!' Fortunately for me the madman was my inferior in strength. Seizing both his wrists thurst him backward to the bed, where he fell exhausted and fainting with the violence of his emotions. A phy- sician seemed to be more needed than a lawyer for such crisis; and, as soon as the proper attendance could be procured, I left the hotel and retired to my room in no very agreeable state of mind.
 The next evening my client presented himself, but not in mood of threatening or violences. received him coldly, and gave him to understand that our business connection was terminated by his con duct of the proceeding night.
 ''Sir," said he, in pleading tone and q manner almost abiect, ''you have in your possession a secret so dreadful to me, hope-even of the possibility of life. The paper which you have taken from the chest"
 ''Mr. Davenant, before make you any furtherbetrayal of this dreadful matter, the nature of which can not even guess, | give you the word of Christian and gentle man, that have neither read, nor do possess, any documents of yours saving those of which we have already spoken or which you have communicated.
 ''Then," said he, 'I am the more sure ly lost, since the paper must be in the pos session of some other, who will use 1t less mercifully than you. Pardon my violence" said the unfortunate man, ''and promise that, whatever happens, you will be my friend and adviser in extremity"
 ''It is not necessary for me to make such promise" I replied. ''since it is included in the duty of legal counselor. But must caution you that, unless am made acquainted with the nature and ex- tent of your crime or misfortune, shall be unable to advice you how to avoid it's consequences.
 sMust then confess all? and will you assist and defend me when you know all2'' assented.
 He seated then himself opposite to me, and continued for time silent, as if strug- elino with the terrible secret that refused to be expressed in words.
 ''I have told you" said he, speaking in slow and hesitating manner, and avoid ing to meet my eyes, ''that hated Mad am Davenant, but the word hate conveys only faint intimation of the intensity of fear. loathing. and detestation with which