The daily gazette., 1879-06-19


dow, looking at us with steady, unwav-
ering eyes. Would he never 90? Would
he hold us forever with that quiet, un-
flinching gaze?
At that moment / shrieked, and Ma
dame sprang TO her feet. A crowd
came to see us, and fell back faint
ing.
In the morning we started. 1t was
summer time, and our way led through
the richest of eartl's gardens. All was
beautiful, from the sky downward
birds, flowers, fruit, and vclvcty green
sward. In spite of everything | was
happy.
awe will soon have a long rest" Ma
dame said, as we whirled along. "You
shall hear from the brother and sister at
home."
l was looking out of the window as
she spoke. As l turned my face towards
her felt some one touch my shoulder, l
turned around quickly. The stranger
was sitting near us in the train.
His presence seemed SO real TO me that
| spoke out angrily:
"If you please, Sip
Madame looked around.
"To whom are you speaking, Louise 9p
| l know, then, that whatever | saw,
whether man or evil one, Madame Rosis
was conscious of nothing. looked over
the face-at the blue eyes and gentle
mouth, down at the white hands and red
ring, without a word.
| "Monsieur Rosis," / thought 'sBut
why does he follow Madame ?"
| We rode the day through with the fair
immovable figure beside us, and the
doctor In the next carriage. The one
seemed to counteract the influence of
the other. Nothing could harm me.
| AT night we came to our resting
place.
"Ilere we shall find the ring" said
Madame, as we hurried out of the train.
at is like an inspiration. feel it through
and through"
We did not 60 TO hotel, but TO a house
near the outskirts of the town. | know
the coachman of the fly stared al
Madame when she told him where to
drive us. The night was very dark
Looking around for my friend, l could
not see him, and l thought that l was
| lost.
Warm as was tho night, the place to
which we went was chilly. Madame had
fires made in the CRATES and ordered
wine to be brought.
"Wherc are we ?" asked.
"Pardon me for not saying. This is
my home. No one dare intrudc here"
No one? Was Madame so sure? As
she spoke, the pleasant-faced stranger,
ghost or man, came noiselessly i'll and
sat down by the fire. lie wore the
same expression as when | had first
seen him. Glancing at his hand, ! saw
the blood red ring glowing upon his
finger.
"You do not drink" Madame said, as
| sat holding the wine glass. "What is
it?"
Iput down the glass with shudder.
"Madame Rosis, | want to go home
"This is your home. BY day it is
beautiful. Tonight | know there arc
shadows-and it is cold. We can have
more fire."
"That is not it-I want my sister. |
seem to be sitting here"
"Well, WE'LL will play to you.
will sing
She threw open the piano. Good
heavens, what wall came from it as her
delicate fingers ran up and down the
keys Wild unrest, agony, despair found
voice in the melody which she awakened.
Then her little hands pattered softly,
softly down, and her voice broke out
softly to the weird accompaniment.
Through it all could hear the falling OF
ghostly feet; the whispers from shadowy
lips. The stranger listened at her side
so close was his face to hers, that in the
unsteady light they seemed TO mingle and
waver together.
My God! where was L? The atmos
} phere was like that of tombl Was
among fesh-and-blood realities, or had
been drawn into the charnel-house to eX-
plate some SIN which had committed
Sin, indeed what did know of sin
"Don't, Madame-don't !" l cried
"You are driving me mad! Let me go
in the name of mercy, let me 60 !"
"You need rest, spoke Madame. "You
are nervous. You shall go to your room
and have supper there"
She led me like child. What could
lido?
Up stairs it was more cheerful. The
fire was fresh, and the lamps gave out q
clear, steady light. l drew a sigh of re-
lief.
"You like it ?" sad Madame.
"How can help it?"
81 am glad. My room is opposite. Ii
the night, if you are wakefu. you cal
: come to me. But think you will sleep
,, l will send your supper up in mo
ment."
1 did not wait for supper. Thoroughly
exhausted, bodily and mentally, sanl
! upon the bed. do not know how long
slept. started up suddenly from my
, pillow, fearful shrek ,echoing through
my brain. 1t was dadame's voice tina
aroused me. In moment there was
sound of hurried feet in the hall, mur
. mur of strange voices and some on
4 threw open the door eopposite mine.
stole softly out, and crossed the hall t.
n Madame's room. There was group O
strange people standing by her bed
side.
A voice said, "She is dead"
"What is-what killed her?" asked.
c 81 do not know. Probably her hear
was diseased. Some studded fright di
G it. The detectives have been On he
h track for weeks"
II "The detectives? Why?"
"She poisoned Monsieur Rosis, he
IL husband That is her portrait yonder,
said the physician.
!, gave one glance towards 1t. / ha
J. little need to look at it, since the fac
IS was so'terribly familiar to me.
}. "She has escaped JUSTICE" some on
said, solemnly.
"You are mistaken she has gone t
meet it,"
% "See!" cried another, i'm startled voic
"She wore his ring again."