The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-10-11

For moment Jules seemed to collect
his GOODNESS, then calmly spoke, at the
same time lifting up the handkerchief
and discovering pair of richly mounted
pistols.
"Sir, you have now entered on your
death scene or mine. The person of
whom you spoke to-day is my wife.
If you have dared to assert falsehood
to me; if you have coupled an innocent
name with foul dishonor, by all the pow
ers of heaven, you die, and that without
further shrift. If'-and the young
mans voice became almost dreadful to
listen to" If, | say, you have spoken
the truth, pledge you my salvation you
are safe. Speak not; answer me not.
A moment more, and she herself decides
the fact"
Thus saying, Duvivier walked to the
inner door, opened it, and led forth his
bride, who seemed much surprised at
the abrupt manner of her husband
Madame | desire you instantly to
strip off all covering from your shout
ders"
The poor girl, thus taken by surprise,
perhaps conscious of her guilt, perhaps
overcome by modest scruples, unwilling
thus TO unrobe before a stranger, aston
ished at the harshness Of him who only
a few hours before had sworn eternal love
to her, hesitated and attempted to re-
monstrate.
Nay, l insist! No words, I sayr al
most shouted Jules.
Il beseech you, what does this con-
duct mean? Nay, on my knees"
"Do you then shrink? | will prove
or falsify the damned suspicion" He
flew upon her with tiger-like avidity,
and tore off her upper garments till her
shoulders were without covering.
/ One glance was sufficient.
Plain and palpable the horrid brand
appeared confessed. The executioner's
iron had scared the marble flesh and left
the damning "reminiscences Of the har-
rowing crime forever behind.
Jules now summoned all his fortitude
He took out the key and threw it to tn
merchant
"Begone. lest madness make me close
your lips forever. 1t were better, per-
haps, to prevent their repeating this tale
1 of shame and dish0nor. But no; | have
pledged myself to let you go unframed,
and | will not forfeit my word. Go! un-
less you wish to see me do deed of stern
and cruel Justice
/ 1t needed no further persuasion to in
duce the citizen to leave the room. He
| hastily rushed down stairs to summon
aid. He had reached the last step.
when he heard the report of pistol.
/ Before he could call assistance a second
weapon was discharged and heavy tail
shook the stairs on which he stood At
once he was surrounded by crowd of
! inquisitive persons, DESTROYS of learning
the meaning of these sounds. By sounds
alone he could reply. They therefore
one and all rushed up, forced open the
door, and there, indeed, beheld sight of
/ horror. Duvivier had shot his wife
| through the heart. Her warm blood
still flowed from her breast. Pity could
not refuse tear, however guilty the vic
/ tim might have been Not so the des-
troyer, he had placed the pistol in his
mouth and had blown away the upper
part of his head. Horror and disgust
overcame the beholder as he looked up
on the dreadfully disfgured remains of
the stern executioner of the woman he
had loved 50 well.
Such is the brief story of those whose
real names have been concealed. The
poor man, who by an unguarded observa-
ton caused the dreadful catastrophe has
never since held up his head. What
makes the story more distressing is that
circumstances have since come to light
which have proved that Victor destroyed
himself in consequence of remorse at
having unjustly suspected Adelaide
Moran, who consequently died innocent
of all crime, after undergoing the most
dreadful degradation; her only fault
having been a want of candor towards
her husband, a concealment towards one
who should have shared her every
thought. Such concealments, | have
often remarked, have brought years of
misery to those who have foolishly per-
sisted in them.