The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-23
lace, more deadly and fatal in it's ef-

| 100 weak 10 fefuge, Leila SWaltoWeu
the potion, and almost instantly sank
into deep sleep.
Leaving her to the care of the nurse, o
middle-aged woman who always slept in
the room, Col. Sumner retired to his
room. Extremely tatigued, he fell
asleep almost before his head touched
the pillow
He was awakened before daylight by
the hurrying Of feet and unus uul noise
Springing from his bed, he threw on his
dressing-Sown and rushed out into the
hall. AT the foot of the stairs he met
Mrs. Blair, the nurse, who, with livid
face and motionless lips, pointed toward
the door OF Leila's chamber.
In an instant the alarmed father was
by the bed side. There lay his child just
as he had LETT her the night before, her
lips and eyes half open; the long silken
hair hung down over the snowy pillow,
the face colOrless as the linen itself. He
raised the slight form, he shook and tried
to rouse her--all his efforts were useless,
she was dead.
About three days, or the third night
after Leila's burial, the bereaved lover,
worn out with grief and loss OF sleep,
threw himself, all dressed, on his bed
and fell asleep. He dreamed he was
passing down the street and that he saw
Leila follow De VauX into his office. He
tried to 60 after her, but the door was
closed and fastened through which he
had passed. But while he stood looking
at the door the window OF the laboratory
above his head was raised and the girls
white face appeared. With wild be-
seechlng expression Of both face and mo-
tions she reached her thin, white hands
toward him and seemed TO wave or beck
on him toward her. AS she did SO, De
EVauX, with face black and fierce with
passion, grasped her by the shoulder and
drew her back. At the same instant he
awoke and sprang from the bed. In o
moment his mind was clear, he knew he
mad been asleep and dreaming. He sat
down IN large armchair by the open
window and thought OF his dream, it was
only dream alter all, but it's effect was
| unpleasant.
| He thought OF his lost bride, of his
great grief, till overcome by emotion, he
wept as only strong man in the depths
of d great sorrow can weep.
At last he grew calmer, and unable to
endure the silence OF his chamber, he
rose. put on his hat and walked out into
the silent street. AS he stepped from
the door, the city clock struck two.
1nyoluntarily, he took the road towards
their office, and IN few moments stood
before the door.
Looking up, he was surprised to see a
light burning dimly in window OF the
laboratory.
He stood gazing at the window and
thinking of his dream, when the shadow
of form passed between the window
and the light.
"De YauX up at this time? ?" he thought
~ wonder if he is preparing to go out"
He pushed open the door, and walked
up the thickly carpeted stairs. The door
of the reception room stood open, and
he passed through, expecting to see De
Vaux, but he was not there. He laid
his hand on the knob of the laboratory
door; as he did SO he was startled by a
deep, heavy groan; be listened mo-
ment; what could it mean2 Was his
friend sickf Had he visitor OR pa
tientS If SO, ii was strange place ior
them to be in.
He paused moment, hesitating
whether or not to push open the door and
90 in, when the same deep signing, al
most groaning, struck his ear.
Instantly his hand grasped the door
handle. 1t turned, and the door softly
opened a Jew inches. What sight met
his astonished gaze. Opposite the door,
on large table, originally intended ior
u dissecting table, lay the body of a
| '
lie was chatting the thin white hands,
and murmuring in q lowyoice, words of
| tenderest endearment. Every moment
he would stop, and bending over the
still form, press the most passionate
kisses on the pale white lips. lie raised
the beautiful head to his shoulder, and
kstraining the frall form TO his breast,
whispered almost tiercely:
"My darlingl come back to lille and
love. Oh, Leila, my own; my beautiful
one, speak TO me, look at me-"
| The eyelids quivercd, the lips moved.
Stupefed, Adrian stood rooted to the
spot. WHAT could 1t mean? Who was
the dead girl? The name Leila? How
came she here? Was DR.. De VauX a
grave robber? Was that the body of his
| Leila? Dumb with horror and astonish-
ment, he stood and gazed through the
partly opened door.
He was aroused by the faint sound of
carriage wheels. DR.. Vaux started 4;
seizing a large heavy blanket, he COM
menced wrapping it around the still
| form.
De Vaux appeared carrying in his arms
something wrapped carefully in q large
blanket and shawl. AS he attempted TO
lift his burden into the carriage part OF
| the blanket fell back and revealed face
Ol IL w dS liiQc0u tuC pdlt
Afeless, dead face of his lost Leila. De
| NauX laid it on the seat, got in himself
and closed the door.
The carriage started and rolled almost
noiselessly away down the deserted
street.
AdrianVaile stood and gazed in bewil.
dered horror after the retreating vehicle.
The moment it passed out OF sight he
aWoke from the benumbed stupOr which
had for the moment paralyzed his whole
being.
Like madman he rushed up the street
toward the residence OF Col. Sumner. To
arouse the griet-stricken father and bis
whole household was his act. A few
moments sufiiced to explain the cause ol
his great excitement.
Col. Sumner, half afraid that Adrian
had lost his mind, made haste to obey his
directions. He ordered three horses to
be saddled-0ne for himself, second foi
Adrian, and a third for q stout, middle
aged man, who had been long time In
his employ.
Together the three went out in pursuit
of the wretched man who had done them
so great an injury.
;. On the road they had time to discuss
and decide the best course to pursue
That De VauX would attempt some des
perate means of defense was no more
than they expected.