The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-02-16

I
pallid lips were drawn back over her
white and cleaning teeth, with some
thing like q fierce snarl that was emf
nsntly suggestive of feline, rage. She
regarded me in this way for some mo-
ments, and then burst out:
"Why did you recall her to my mind
Why did you mention her detested name
that falls on my ear like curse2 The
wretch! Twice has she crossed my path
tatrealy; twice has she come with her
fidiot baby face between me and my OBJ
jeet, and now it's the tLird and last =
Miserable chit! She little thinks what
she has done in thwarting me this time.
Before she cheated me of what l could
we'll afford to lose. but this time--but
never mind, she will not long enjoy her
triumph And you, traitor" she eXclaim,
ed, mepacing me with her cienched hand,
"you thought to amuse yourself with
my weakness, did you? Ha! l am no
despicable baby girl to be triaed with =
l lave heart here" and she brought
her two hands heavily together on her
breast, "a heart not easily moved, but
when it is, not readily turned from its
object. D, you understand that, poor
fooI2 Better we had never beheld each
other. And as for her, let her beware
1t were better for her if she continued
tiedto her mothers apron strings for 9
few years longer than to think Of marry.
ing you"
The passion aud violence Of the wo
man were positively frightfuf. After
she lad concluded her strange speech
for some time remained speechless with
surprise, staring al, her with .au expires
sion of helMessness and vacancy. The
whole thing was so sudden and unac.
counta5le The frank disclosure of o
depth of feeling of whose existence
had never dreamed, and the idea that hei
proud spirit could brook humiliation
from which the tamest female mind, ant
even the commonest amount of female
delicacy would revolt in shame and in
disnation, all conspired to fill me witt
establishment and dismay.
| AT this moment saw my aunt eros.
sing the lawn. Beatrice's quick eye be
came almost Instantly aware Of her pres
ence, and with dark look and a threat
ening gesture, she slided swiftly and
noiselessly away
!, Ny mind would certainly have brood
ed the, whole time on this singular oc
currence had it not been for the i.npera
! Tive demands made on my attention by
1.-THE circumstances of my approaching
imafriage, Indeed, as have already in
lfornedthe reader, that suspicious even
] 'sas cEsss at hand, and it was not many
fdays before my !air bride and / started
off on our wedding trip,ana took refuge
alike from the opportunities of friends
and the impertinent curiosity Of stran
gers, in quiet little village on the ses
shore.
AT the close OF sultry day, on abou
the third week of our sojourn at thi
place, we we're strolling arm in arm or
the beach. An unfortunate accident tina
occurred during .he course of the day
had called forth a,display Of my fiery
temper before my wife, which embarrass
ed and distressed me, and which l wa
now attempting to extenuate to willin!
ears and mind whose loving fondnes;
had already overlooked my fault.
During pause in the conversation
our attention was attracted by femal
figure, curiously mufied up, in name
most inappropriate for the season. Sh
had heavy shawl wrapped elosel,
round her head and shoulders and draw
partly over her face AS she rapid,
passed US, she turned slightly in our di
rection, and I recognized immediatel.
the features of Beatrice SnarlI.
] started so visibly at the unexpected
sight that it did not escape the notice 0
my wife, who demanded, with an unusua
amount Of importantly, to know tn
cause of my agitation. I was goo(
ceal irritated, and l am afraid parriet
her inquiries rather rudely. I wa
ashamed and angry with myself the mex
moment, but could not recall my TN
ljustifiable and inexplicable violence, AM
remem bering who was the cause Of it,
from that moment began to regard thi
unfortunate and self torturing woma
with feeling of active aversion and re
solved to resent her eccentric conduct.
| We had made the acquaintance of
very pleasant family-summer tourists
on their way north-who had sojourne,
some days in the village, and we had de
termined on making little excursion
for the purpose of viewing the inlan
scenery, parts of which were describe
as very beautiful.
1t was a bright morning, and the otSe
gentlemen OF the party and myself ha
Been down inspecting the conveyance;
which were all the village could muster
and consisted of an old dilapdated one
horse phaeton and superannuated an
bulance.
Having examined these valuable reh
cies, and satisfactorily discussed th
probabilities of their breaking down bt
fore we had accomplished half the joul
+ ney, we returned for the ladies.
left them at the hotel, and went o
to our cottage, which was some quartz
Of mile from the village. When | az
preached l was surprised to see both th
gate and the front door standing wild
open. We had quite an extensive ga
+ den, and it was some seconds before
gained the door. ! paused there an
called. to my wife to know if she ws
ready to start. .''
l had vague presentiment that SOM
thing was wrong, which was augmente
into absolute alarm when received n
answer. raised my voice end calle
still louder this time, bnt still got no n
! ply. l walked rapity through the tw
: rooms, which we used; for parlor and d
:. ming room. on the 6rst floor, and M
seeing any one, ran up stairs. f.aar
Y The first room above was our sleel
t ing apartment. Iopened the door an
, staggered back horror-strieken. Thel
: was my wife. half-dressed, lying on th
floor with her head resting on the sof
: She was dead. A pointed cas-
knife, covered with blood, was lying
short distance from her, and some drol
stained her uncovered bosom. 80
q s., roe,;blo 20 oxynrooo tho torri h