The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-30
CHAPTER XIV.
A VISION OF THE DEAD.

D the opera box. The door communicating
with the box WAS closed; the door leading
into the corridor was locked.
The Young bride could hear the music Of
the orchestra; she could hear the football OF
the dancers, the laughter, the reckless mer-
riment in the vast area below, and yet she
was alone with this man-as much alone AZ
if she had been in some wild retreat, amid
the solitude of a desert Had she screamed
aloud in her terror, her wild outcry would
have been lost among the myriad voices of
the careless crowd below.
But, although terrified for brief period,
Maud Dumout was not subdued, She felt
that she was in the power OF those hidden
and mysterious enemies who had endeavOred
to separate her from the General. She felt
also that only her own imperious will and
daring nature could save her
Il have not feared my own dark memo
ries, my own secret agonies she said to
herself "Why should fear these peopleP"
She looked earnestly at the masked
stranger He was Of medium stature, but
his figure was enveoped in long domino
of black silk, which left only the thin out
line of his form visible. The hood of this
domino covered his hend and joined the
velvet mask which concealed his face. The
thick lace fringe hanging from this mask
covered his chin.
All that the searching scrutiny of Maud
Dumont could reveal to her WAS the color of
the eyes that looked through the oval open
ings in the black mask These eyes were
black, large and limpid. This was all that
she could discover OF the strangers personal
Appearance. Had she seen the ring upon
his right hand, she would, even then, have
failed to eness what the initial sd, cut in
the stone signiiied.
Mrs. Dunont drew himself to her fullest
height as the stranger approached her, after
locking the door communicating with tho
corridor.
"Why have you fastened the door?" she
asked
because wish to speak with you with
out fear of interruption"
"And you refuse to lead me back to my
husbaudf"
"Ye>, do refuse, until you have heard
what have to say"
The Generals wife burst into loud and
ringing laugh.
BE it so," she said, gaily. "It is oarni-
val time, and folly reigns supreme. Why
should refuse to join in carnival lest?"
This is no Jest, madam" answered the
stranger. II told you, some moments
since that had solemn purpose il bring
lug you here"
Yes" returned Maud, still laughing with
the silvery music of girlsh mlrth; land
this solemn purpose is to trighten poor,
helpless woman out of her senses. But l
am not so easily terrified as you may, per
haps, imagine, and can only say that If
your purpose is n solemn one, this place Is
ill-ch0sen for its fulflment."
"Think You so, madamt" said the stranger.
''You little know the hidden secrets, the I'M
discovered mysteries, which lurk beneath
scene of reckless gniety. The wild mlrth OF
the maskers may drown the shreks OF the
dying; the merry music of the orchestra
may drown the sohs of the deSpalrlnS. DO
not think that you are the less in danger be-
cause you hear music and laughter around
you"
~ fear no danger!" exclaimed Mrs. Du-
mont, with proud defiance. "Whoevel ana
whatever you may be, you shall suffer for
this insolence! General Ddmont Will lavengs
the insults offered to his wife!"
"Whife he believes her worthy to be his
wife, doubtless madam said the man.
"Bnt how will Le act when he learns OF her
| unworthinessy
Mrs. Dumont did not condescend to an
swer this question.
'You have something to say to me?" sho
said, coldly.
~ have"
"Will you be so good as to say it as speed
lily us possible, in order that you may after
ward restore me TO my friends, who are, no
doubt, searching the building for me?"
81 obey, madam" answered the man,
wheeling forward chair, which he offered
the lady
Maud Dumont threw off her mask and
the long silken domino which had enveloped
her
"This place is nsuferably hot" she said,
as she flung the domino across the back OF
the chair.
The stranger was silent. He was gazing
in admiration upon the beautiful being whe
stood before him.
Mrs Dumont wore simple dress Of the
richest white lace. Her wavy golden hair
which hung i'll ringlets upon her neck anc
shoulders, was only adorned by single
: white camelia. She wore no jewels. excep
pair of massive gold bracelets upon he
? round white arms.
''It was thus that you appeared to Clar
ence Suydam" exclaimed the stranger, atte
=, pause 'It was thus the enthusiasm
/, young artist beheld you-the hapless arts
: whom you fascinated and destroyed
Mrs. Dumont threw back her head with
n naughty gesture, and gazed defiantly at tn
:, speaker.
Il Il acknowledge no acquaintance wit
!, this Clarence Suydam, she said, 'excep
the ordinary acquaintance between woma
{ of fashion and her drawing
h "You may refuse to acknowledge an
" other acquaintance, madam; "but what
;, your letters bear witness of very differer
acquaintance? What if your letters, write
months ago. bear record of a solemn prom
e ise to become that mans witeY'
t "My letters!' cried Maud Dumont, clasI
(. ing her hands before her face.
& In that one moment she had lost all pre-
\ ence of mind-in that one moment she ha
y betrayed herself as what she was-a terrific
he and agonized woman, oppressed and to-
W tured by the remorse of crime. But, with
t. powerful effort, she again controlled hersel
As There are no such letters in existence
n she said, decisively.
"What? exclaimed the stranger. "Di
you destroy them with your hands"
% The woman was silent.
3. "You do not reply, but your silence is,
Or itself, sufficient answer. Think you tn
a any other hand than your own would ev
g. destroy the fatal evidences of your gull
Think YOU that those, in the keeping OF a
other would not be held more precio
y than their weight in diamonds of the fine
as water?"
as "Are those letters in your possession"
ne "What if l answer, yes?"
I'd .If they are in your keeping, tell me t
o. price you demand. l will buy them fro
you on your terms"
"You are very generous, madam" a
ne svered the mask, with sneer; "but the !,
he ters are not in my possession. They are