Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-02-22

to sweet melancholy, he added: ''Then
| will tell you my history Be silent to
the history of Briareus, the poet of the
Balcombes-the BETRAYED lover-he OF
the broken heart"
was IN my gloTy-I was about to hear
the mystery of the Bluebeard chamber.
hen | was but YOUTH com.
menced Briareus, my uncle, who then
owned this mansion, returned from Italy,
bringing with him lovely girl. How
can L describe her beauty? 1t is impos-
sible! 1t was the beauty of a dark, wild
night, wherein the placid moon and gen,
tie stars are shining, yet the signing OF
the wind proclaims the coming storm.
So shone her glorious face, calm and
pure, yet ever and anon the flashes from
those wondrOus orbs, her ewes, told OF
the fire within her soul | loved her.
Time passed on, and at last she owned
that she returned my passion, but babe
me keep our love secret, as she dreaded
my uncle's wrath. Just at this time nv
Cousin Tom procured me lucrative berth
in India, and, with light heart, started
for that land of fortunes, for [ believed !
should soon anass riches and be able to
claim Elvina.
. On my arrival in India I learned that
my uncle had died, and that Tom had
come into his estates. MY uncle dead
one obstacle to my marriage is removed,
L cried and [ worked on with renewed
vigor. But, alas! l was struck down by
sunstroke, fever followed, and I was
ordered home.
How long we were making the pas
sage know not. A gentleman-rather a
rough fellow, thong had volun-
teered 10 be my constant companion, said
II was short voyage; to me it seemed
years. At length we arrived, and by tax
ing a post-chaise, wedrove to the Yews. )
told my companion at Southampton that
| did not require his company any more ;
but he would not leave me until he saw
me, he said, safe in my cousins care. ,
But why dwell upon this painful history ?
l rushed into this very room, and ,,embrac
ing Elvina, cried: 'Elvinal Elvina! be-
held thy Briareus returned to claim his
briden To my horror she thrust me from
her, and, rushing 10 my cousin, threw
herself into his arms asking her dear,
dear Tom to save her from the mailman.
"' Madmanp | cried. Are you not nv
affianced?'
"' Briareusn exclaimed Tom, you
are mad, this is my wifer'
" saw it at a glance" moaned the
poor mad creature, making my heart
bleed for him. 81 knew then why had
been sent to lndia-why this woman had
made me keep our engagement secret.
She loved my cousins gold.
My passion rose; [ could not control
myself-with a cry more Ikea wild beast
than man, | had him by the throat, and
would have killed him; but the man who
called himself my friend turned traitor
Tor sold. He dragged me away from nv
cousin, and felled me to the earth. NV
keeper! They said l was mad and
locked me up in chamber. Not alone
no, no, not alone; they cannot shut out
the ghosts. They come and tell me sto-
ries-wild, horrible stories. I will tell
them to you some night Hark! the
ghosts call me. I must 90 at once, or
they will come here. Farewell; to-mor-
row!'
Slowly he crept from the room, Mrs.
Gruesome and l following. Our hearts
ached for him. We saw him enter the
mysterious chamber and lock himself in.
: Mrs. Gruesome, | said, "we will 90
to bed He, poor fellow, is harmless ;
but tomorrow L will see the agent. who
must provide akeeper. do not want Mr..
Briareus removed until have heard his
stories. 1t will save my eyesight, not
reading at night. Good night Janet. Say
nothlng OF this to the servants. and do not
be AFRAID lie is quite gentleman, and
harmless''
L retired to my apartment, double
locked the door, and barricaded it. in case
OF accidents. Next morning I arose late
ana descended to breakfast, which ouobt
To have hpQn rpolu of loo Io,-
Judge OF my establishment at finding the
room in confusion, and Janet Gruesome
IN even greater confusion than her apart
ment.
g He has gone, sir" she cried as l
entered the parlor.
Who has gomez | demanded
The mad gentleman, He must have
left the house in the middle of the night. -
" Well, well - replied; perhaps il
is better so. He was nuisance If he
has drowned himself, it is no fault of
ours; we were not his keepers; so let me
have breakfast. Get the tea and coffee
service my uncle left me-"
Your uncle left them, sir, but the
mad gentleman amt" sObbed Janet !:
" he's taken 'em, sir, and the silver spirit
stand, as well.''
A''o' USeASh IL SIIfGI-S6lN1CS.
" Yes, sir; and every other piece of
silver and.jeweiry he could find, as well
aS-n
L could hear no more, but, rushing to
the house agent, told him all about it.
You have been done," he said, quiet
ly; there never was Mr.. Briareus Bal
combe. The room only contained pic
lures and some old furniture of no partic-
ular value, but favorites of Mr.. Balcombe,
and so he locks them up. Come to the
police"
He hurried me off to the Police In
spector, to whom l related this sad his
tory.
THAT'S Solemn Smiths work, for a
pound" cried the Inspector, laughing.
| heard he had been in this neighbor-
hood. Deuced clever fellow; could have
made fortune on the stage, if he liked.
No doubt he found out all about the
room, and also heard-asking your par
don, sir-that you had queer crotchets !;
so he got into the house when it was emp
ty, picked the lock Of the room, and
played mailman | know him, sir, and
will be after him.
This was ten years ago And the DO
lice are after my Mad Tenant still.
Mystery Revealed.