The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-03-25

hate they still bear toward us. roIson ~
their only weapon"
"And you think the Countess malady
proceeds from peison2" asked the doctor.
'Such is my firm belief" replied the
viceroy.
sit is also mine"
''Ha you agree with me, then9'
'ton the contrary, l differ with you en-
trely. The poison which has been admin
istered to the Countess is the miasma that
floats in the air, that subtle essence which
saps the very foundation of health, and
battles all my drugs. What put the thought
of poison in your excellency's mind Who
would wish the death of one SO well be-
loved as your excellent lady? Have your
suspicious fastened upon any one" ID.
"Yes; the favorite waiting maid of the
Countess-Idaho."
! "Idaho!" repeated the good doctor, in
utter astonishment. Impossible! She
watches over her as tenderly as sick
mother over her ailing child. Idaho /!
Were an angel from Heaven to come down
and accuse that girl, would not believe
him.
''You have great faith in that girl, doc
tor" said the Viceroy, with smile.
''I have great faith in pure, unadulter-
ated human nature" returned the doctor,
warmly; "and I assure your excelency
that Idaho is a simple child of nature,
unacquainted with the name of crime"
'It may be, doctor. I am not wont to
Judge hastily, as you know; and 1 assure
you that have strong grounds for my sus-
pieions against this Indian girl. Simple
child of nature as you think her, she has q
lover"
'I see nothing to her prejudice in that
1t is the most natural thing in life to fall in
love-"
'tShe often meets this lover in the forest
Being suspected she has been followed and
watched. Yesterday she had meeting
with her lover, who, by the way, is chief
of some consequence, called Guatamoxin.
One of our ushers who had been des-
patched for that purpose by Donna
Clara"
"The old Jezebel !" muttered the doctor.
sEnsconced behind tree, overheard
their conversation, though of course his
imperfect knowledge of the Indian tongue
prevented him from understanding it. But
he comprehended enough to know that
Idaho demanded something of her lover,
which he showed great reluctance in grant
ing; but at last yielding to her pressing
opportunities, he placed small package
apparently powder folded in a leaf-in
her hands, witha strict injunction for herto
use the utmost caution and secresy, as dis
covery would be certain death to both.
The listener heard them mention the name
of the Countess, and had no doubt that the
powder, or drug, or whatever it may be,
heard her lover say that the best time to
administer it would be at the full of the
moon-to-morrow night?"
'That u.s. tonight"
"Precisely, doctor. We must watch this
girl tonight"
Exactly the suggestion l was about to
make, your excellency."
"Should we detect the girl in the act"
''We will take the-poison from her and
analyze it !" The Doctors eyes sparkled
'Do what you will with the poison" said
the viceroy; "but, my fathers memory
if this girl prove guilty, she shall die a fiery
death!"
The moons full beams shone in through
, the looped curtains of the Countess cham
| ber with a sickly lustre. Beside her couch
knelt Idaho her long black tresses floating
I upon her shoulders. and her deep, BLACK
J eyes sparkling like diamonds from the pale
/ vermilon of her face. Solitary and alone
, she maintained her weary vigil beside the
sufferer. Her delicately-moulded hands
we're clasped in prayerful supplication, al
she gazed tearfully upon her lady's face
She turned from her sad contemplation and
+ cast look at the windows.
"The moon is at its full, ~ she murmured
3 unconsciously, as it were, uttering he,
thoughts aloud "Now is the time"
She rose gently to her feet, and wen
cautiously to the windows, gave a searching
scrutiny to the veranda and then dropped
the heavy folds of the curtains, shutting
Z out all vision from the exterior. Her move
+ ments were as cautious and as stealthy a
the leopard in its forest lair. Now sh,
stands beside the table, the lamplight shin
ing on her face which displays an emotion
of fear She takes from her bosom small
, package; another cautious glance around
, and the contents of the leaf she holds
=. = L.. L