New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-03

BILE roof the sight was not unusual, but for
an instant subtle sense of disappointment
thrilled him. When he saw it was not the
| face of Ashe turned toward him he was re-
lieved, but when he saw the tawny beard
and quick, passionate eyes Of Henry Rance
he felt q new sense of apprehension, 90
that he fell to rubbing his beard almost
upon his very threshold.
Jenny ran into the hall and seized her
father with little cry of joy. Father"
said Jenny, in hurried whisper, ''dOn't
mind him"-indicating Rance with a toss of
her yellow braids-''he's going soon, and
think, father, I've done him wrong. But
it's all over with John and me now: read
that note and see how he's insulted me-"
Her lip quivered, but she went on: otis
Ridgeway that he means, father, and be-
lieve it was his hand that struck Ridgeway
down, or that he knows who did. But hush
now, not word"
| She gave him a feverish kiss. and glided
back into the parlor, leaving Mr.. McClosky
| perplexed and irresOlnte with the note in
his hand. He glanced at it hurriedly and
| saw that it was couched in almost the very
| words he had suggested. But sudden ap-
! prehensive recollection came over him; he
| listened, and with an exclamation of dismay
| he seized his hat and ran out of the house.
But too late; at the same moment a Quick,
nervous fOostep was heard upOn the YER
| anda, the French widow few open, and
with light laugh of greeting Kidgeway
| stepped into the room.
Jenny's fine ear first caught the step.
Jenny's swift feelings had sounded the
| depths of hope, of joy, of despair, before
| he entered the room. Jenny's pale face
| was the only one that net his, selfpos-
| sessed and selfreliant, when he stood before
| them. An angry flush sutfused even the
| pink root of RANGES beard as he rose to his
| feet; an Ominous fire sprang into Ridge
ways eyes, and spasm of hate and scorn
| passed over the lower part Of his face and
| left the mouth and jaw immObile and rigid
| Yet he was the first to speak. II owe
| you an apology" he said to Jenny, with a
suave scorn that brought the indignant
blood back to her cheek, 'fOr this intrusion,
but l ask no pardon for withdrawing from
| the only spot where that man dare confront
| me with safety"
With an exclamation Of rage, Rance
sprang toward him. But as quickly Jenny
stood between them. erect and menacing.
There must be no quarrel here" she said
to Rance. "While protect your right as
my guest, don't oblige me to remind YOU of
mine as your hostess" She turned with
| half deprecatory air to Ridgeway, but he
was gone. So was her father. Only Rance
renamed, with look OF illconcealed tri
umph on his face.
lOOkluS DlIu sue pdeecU COW6IO
the door. When she reached it she turned.
"You asked me a question an hour ago.
Come to me in the garden at nine o'clock to-
night, and will answer you. But promise
me first to keep away from Mr.. Dent; give
me your word not to seek him-to avoid
him if he seeks you. Do you promise? 1t
is WE'LL
He would have taken her hand, but she
waived him away. In another moment he
heard the swift rustic Of her dress in the
hall, the sound of her feet upon the stair,
the sharp dosing Of her bedroom door, and
all was quiet.
And even thus quietly the day wore away,
and the night rose slowly over the valley
and Overshadowed the mountains with
purple wings that famed the still air into
e breeze, until the moon followed it and
| lulled everything to rest as with the laying
on of white and benediesory hands. 1t was
| lovely night, but Henry Rance, waiting
lmpatiently beneath sycamore at the foot
| of the garden saw no beauty in earth or
| air or sky. A thousand suspicious common
| to a jealous nature, vague superstition OF
| the spot filed his mind with distrust and
doubt. eff this should be trick to keep
my hands Oft that ins0lent pupw he NUT
tered, but even as the thought passed his
| tongue, a white figure slid from the shrub
berry near the house, glided along the line
| of picket tence, and then stopped midway,
| moJiOnless in the moonlight.
| 1t was she. But he scarcely recognized
| her in the white drapery that covered her
| head and shoulders. and breast. He ap-
preached her with hurried whisper: LET
| us withdraw from the moonlight. Every
body can see us here"
"We have nothing to say that can not be
| said in the moonlight, Henry Rance" she
| replied, coldly receding from his proffered
- Id 60
with chill, and then suddenly turned upon
him: "Hold up your head and let me look
at you! I've known only what men are;
| let me see what q traitor looks liken'
He recoiled more from her wild face than
her words. He saw for the first that her
| hollow cheeks and hollow eyes were blaz-
ing with fever He was no coward. but ne
would have fed.
"You are ill, Jenny" he said; you had
best return to the house. Another time"
"Stop!' she cried hoarsely. "MOve from
this spot and I'll call for help! Attempt to
leave me now and I'll proclaim you the as
sassin that you are"
ut was fair fight" he said doggedly.
"Was it fair fight to creep behind an
unarmed and unsuspecting man! Was it
fair fight to try to throw suspicion on some
Liar and coward that you are!'
He made stealthy step toward her with
evil eyes and q wickeder hand that crept
within his breast. She saw the motion, but
it only stung her to newer fury.
'Strikep' she said, with blazing eyes,
throwing her hands open before him.
Strike! Are you afraid Of the woman who
dares you!-or do you keep your knife for
the backs of unsuspecting men! Strike! l
tell you. No! Look, then!' With sudden
movement she tore from her head and shout
ders the thick lace shawl that had concealed
her figure and stood before him. "LOOk ~
she cried, passiOnately, pointing to the
bosom and shoulders of her white dress,
darkly streaked with faded stains and
ominous discolOrat:on. "LOOk This is the
dress l wore that morning when l found
him living here-here-bleediDg from your
cowardly knife Look Do you sect This
is his blOod-my darling boys blood!-one
drop of which, dead and faded as it is, is
more precious to me than the whole living
pulse of any other man Look! l come to
you, tonight. christened with his blood, and
dare you to strike-dare you to strike him
again through me and mingle my blood
you have any pity on me-fOr Gods sake!
Strike! if you are man! Look Here lay
his head on my shoulder; here held hlm
to my breast, where never-sO help me my
God another man-Ah -"
She reeled against the fence, and some
thing that had flashed in RANGES hand
dropped at her feet; for another flash and
report rolled him over in the dust, and
across his writhing body two men strobe
and caught her ere she fell:
''She has only tainted" said Mr.. Nc.
CIosky. Jimmy dear, my girl, speak to
me-"
"What is this on your dress ;" said
Ridgeway, kneeling beside her and lifting
his set and colorless face. At the sound
of his voice the color came family back
to her cheek; she opened her eyes and
smiled.