The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-10-20

most uufiinching hdelIty. bct sue
was leaveued with a moiesy Of his own
proud and unyielding spirit, and 90 she
cherished her love aud found means to
communicate with and meet the idol Of
her hearts worship. And thus in their
romance Of life the old, old story was
told again, for love ever mocks at the
letters Of conventual rules and re-
morselessly violates the most solemn
vows. A favorite old slave, the most
trusted Of a numerous retinue Of fam
ily servants, was true partisan to her
MISTRESS cause, and, with the wisdom.
courage, and duplicity characteristic
of her class, she defed all danger, and
at the risk Of her life served as the
medium by which the lovers we're ena-
bled to meet and maintain clandestine
correspondence.
One night a grand ball was given at
the brilliant headquarters of the army.
which was stationed in the city. On
these special state occasions nothing
but a most reasonable excuse would be
accepted for the absence Of invited
guests. The comparative isolation of
Don Isbelle's chateau, being nearly
three miles from the ramparts aud
headquarters of the then fortified ety.
caused him to hope that his family
would escape the courtesy Of invita-
lions. But the misfortune came, and
that he had taken The most
perfect precautions usual to the yet
common duenna system Of chaperon-
ing and espionage, he placed his
daughter in charge of trusted friends
His hope too was that she had re-
nounced her passion, though her silent
and sad manner did not argue well for
the belief; aud SO his heart misgave
him as he wistfully and with varied
emotions looked after her long after she
had disappeared on her way to the
city.
On this occasion she was one Of the
most magnificent of all the host Of
stately and beautiful ladies who graced
the party with their presence. Spark
ling like her own rare and priceless
family Jewels, she was indescribably
radiant, and her splendid wit shone
like a star-the most brilliant gem in
her sky. The homage of mobiles,
titled gentlemen, great men, and The
admiration Of her own sex did honor
10 this incarnation and revelation Of
loneliness. But pre-eminent were the
presence and attentions Of the man
whom she had chosen to love, and
hence happiness pervaded her heart as
she fondly fingered through the deli
cious hours late into the night, with
the shadowing presence of Monsieur
lie Cooq ever lowering about her.
As the rosy light of dawn was ming
ling its soft crimson with the silvery
beams of the setting moon, thes'
lovers drove to the gate whence
broad roadway led to the grand Poriic'
on the south side Of the mansion
Lingering and with fondest vows the,
finally separated, aud hurrying ava,
from the musical voice which had d.
tanned her too long, she sped on he
way beneath the old oaks, whicI
spread their heavy arms and thick
outrageous arches overhead. AT tn
stairway she turned and looked Ion
and fondly down the dim vista, hopip
to see by The light of the soft gra.
vailed moon the form Of her love
lowering somewhere near her. Wit
n sioh as Of regret and relief, 81
sprang upon the porch and into Il
arms of her father. A CLEAN Of lig|
, plittered over her, an echoless blow,
dull, thick thud, light scream. as
intense agony, a gurgling noise, no
rible curse shocked the night air, al
IN quivering heap her body te
heavily on the sodden floor. III
ruthless old man stood over her pro
r trate body, sullen and vengeful.
long Spanish knife was in his tight
clenched hand. Blood ran and dropp'
r from the horrid blade. A crims'
r food was yelling out from the fair b
!. som of the young lady. Her faith
, had stabbed her through the heart
: A judicial investigation was ma
e into the circumstances of the pitllt
e murder, but Don Isbelle never had
d trial at law. He became a ravi
maniac. His keepers placed him
, the cell.like room. in which he b
;, imprisoned his daughter, and fro
E. thence, often during the day aud wea
a watches of the night, his franI
lie shrieks and mad cries Of remorse, {
n ultation, curses, aud pitiful pray
y rang out in startling tones. The mt
g of decay and desolation, with all III
ic attended gloom, fell on the accur'
is place. The very air in the vicin
m seemed to be tainted with horrors, a
lis people avoided it as if the pestilel
ge had stricken the neighborhood.
&c Death came happily TO the relief