The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-02-03

hOioh1 W uuy UP all inc crosses IN GaIls
and all the women bearing them. How did
you resist p''
eff did not know that your slurs on
women and their crosses was said more in
humor than earnest, would not give you
another word of information. l 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 his wife close to his
side, bestowing on her an eloquent glance
and several passionate kisses. Hereafter
l shall consider you cheap at 90, 900 francs !
What said old Cresus to your priceless
answerP'
At first he appeared much discounted.
After little while he said he was going
into the country to remain one week and
that he should return this way, and if in
the meantime gained your consent, or con-
cluded to part with the cross without it, he
would make good his offer. And then he
bade me a reluctant adieu, went to post
chaise that was waiting in the road, got
in, and drove off rapidly towards Chalons."
"Finally we have the finale of act first, "
remarked Henri.
"Yes," responded the musing Irene,
toying with the object of so much discus
sion, which was in reality of but little in
trinsic value, and in no way remarkable,
excepting from popularity Of design. 1t
was of a clear, blood-red cornelian, the up
right pillar being carved to represent a de-
scending arrow, and the cross-piece very
fine wrought imitation of wings.
"What attraction this bit of thing,
which, aside from being your gift l look
upon as worthless, can possess to render it
so exceedingly precious in the eyes of the
man, l cannot conjecture" continued the
puzzled Irene.
"I think can furnish you with a clue
to the foundation of this extraordinary in
terest," remarked Henri "What was his
general appearance That of coarse, ill
bred person ?"
"Far from that. He was quite TALL not
over fleshy, well dressed, and refined in
bearing and language, His countenance
betokened much illness at some early pc
riod of his life or excessive dissipation"
"Should your cross-enamored friend call
again, and should much doubt if he ever
does" said Henri, 81 am the person with
whom he must DEAL"
"Why with you, dear9"
because the object he is so extremely
solcitous to possess has mysterious his
tory known only to myself"
"And that mysterious history affords a
key to the solution to the seemingly insane
offer of five hundred francs ?"
81 apprehended such to be the case.
That cross was found upon a spot where,
but a few days previously, a revolving crime
had been committed. If my surmises are
correct, this strange visitor of yours was
the author of that crime. If so, he and
that little red cross are old acquaintance,
and he would readily sacrifice several times
the five hundred francs to compass its pos
session. Why? Simply because SO long as
it remains in other hands than his own, he
is painfully conscious that it may at any
moment rise 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-" complained Irene.
"I have, but will no longer have re.
Trained from making you acquainted with
the circumstances that are associated with
my finding of the trinket solely from feaI
that the knowledge might cause you tc
conceive morbid dislike to it, and, as it is
really pretty toy, like to see you wear
it. And now for the mystery. Do you re.
member the murder, six years ago, of a
nobleman of the name Of Comte de st. Ar.
mande, in the Rue de Germaine ?"
"Distinctly," replied Irene. GAN Paris
was thrilled with horror at the mystery and
barbarity Of the deed But what assoca.
tion can this cross have with that dreadful
AFFAIR.""
can intimate association. That cross
was found by me on the identical spot o
the murder, and but three days thereafter
If you will closely examine the underside
you will observe small drilled hole at eacl
extremity. From these holes am led tC
infer that it was worn by the unknown as
sassin on the fatal night in question and
/ furthermore, that it was wrenched from itl
iastenings by the hand Of the haplesi
, Comte in his dying struggle. Naturally
t enough, it fell to the ground, where fount
~ T,o thie dav In enita ~ tba euoarl,,,