New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-06

l nearer, day by day, by means OF dread
. full fascination, . magnetism wnlcn sn
3 was evidently powerless to resist, her VII
being completely subservient to his
Doctor Trent travelled with us throug
Europe. He was constantly at MIS-
, Bentley's side, and she never repulse'
him. I knew that Alice did not love him, bu
: believed she would marry him. Sh
marry him! o, the thought was tortur
to me!
l avoided Doctor Trent as much a
possible; seldom spoke with him. Blu
one day he met me in a cafe in Paris, and
seating himself by my side, said ab
ruptly: :,
"That was a terrible death of my oil
pupil Leroy, was 1t not, Frank Reming
toni"
The question was SO strangely and sud
denly uttered that for a moment knew
not what to say. Finally l murmuret
an affirmative response.
Fixing his eyes upon my face with
strange earnestness, Doctor Trent con
tinued:
"Do you remember the oath which Dorm
ton Leroy uttered that night, few hours
before he died?'
did not reply; could not speak with
this mans fiery gaze upon my face. He
read my answer in my eyes and went on
Il can recall his exact words; they were
these: If 1 die before you I will, if
still exist as spirit, return to you and
tell you of the existence after death; and
if, in this future state, am forbidden to
fulfill my promise, swear to resign my
right to existence in the spirit land, and
I 10 oIvoo nth a
These words, as DR.. Trent uttered them,
seemed to burn into my very soul; strove
to speak, but could not.
| "Ah!' Trent exclaimed, Selling nv
hand in his own, which was so cold that
it chilled me through. at is not safe for
! man thus to trife with power of whose
might the human mind can have no con-
ception. Frank Remington, where, in all
the universe, think you is Dornton Leroy
| now?"
My face must have shown the horror
felt of this man and at the fearful thoughts
he suggested, for he paused suddenly,
and said, with a laugh, But my talk
does not suit you. Well, well, let US dis
miss the subject. By the way, you will
be at Nine. IS ball Tomorrow night
will you not?"
as possible left the man.
The next night was at Nine. -'s
ball.
The company we're about dispensing
when Trent advanced to the centre of the
room, holding Alice Bentley by the hand,
and said, in loud voice:
Friends, congratulate me; Miss Bent
ley has consented to make me the hap
piest of men by becoming my wife,"
He had scarcely spoken the last word
when the girl uttered terrible shrek
and fell fainting to the floor. When few
minutes later she regained consciousness.
she cried:
"Where is he? o! where is be?
They asked her whom she meant,
'Dornton-Dornton LEROY" she said.
Gas Doctor Trent finished speaking |
Leroy appeared before me, and, gazed |
txedly into my eyes with an expression
of terrible anguish, seized my wrist in
his hand. Did you not see him."
Doctor Trent burst into shrek of wild |
laughter which thrilled me with horror.
1t was the same which had echoed through
my room on the morning Of Dorntop
Leroy's death.
moment later the man was profuse in
apologies, attributing his sudden and in
outburst to nervous excite
nent.
'But ladies and gentlemen" be ex-
taking Alice Bentley hand, ''look
1ere; is not this remarkable phenom-
,non?"
Upon the girls wrists were distinctly
he marks of human fingers, 1s if some
me had grasped 1t very tightly.
One morning two months later l entered
! little English church in Florence for the
purpose OF witnessing the marriage of Alice
Bentley and Doctor Trent.
The bridal party arrived at the time ap-
pointed, and the ceremony began. Alice
vas in tears, and murmured the responses
n an almost inaudible voice.
Presently the clergyman read the words:
''If any man can show just cause why
hey may not lawfully be joined together
ct him now speak or else hereafter forever
lold his peace"
A terrible cry rang through the chapel
IS the clergyman paused, and Alice Bent
ey fell to the floor. Again came that
Wild burst of laughter from DR.. Trent,
Who rushed to the door and left the
hurch.
Stand back! cried the clergyman to
he friends who crowded around the altar i
give her air. Too late," he added, as
le bent over her, ''she is dead
And upon her wrists were the marks of
'uman fingers, as we had seen them two
months before at Nine. IS ball.
Not one Of our party ever saw DR.. Trent {
gain.