New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-28

thing7 Is it real after all 2" Then he became
aware that the countess had asked question
| to which Conway gave no answer. she stood
waiting, the expression of her fnce deepening
into an indescribable mixture of pride and
terror, as he. bending little forward, was
wholly absorbed in the discovery as it seemed,
OF some new revelation. Murchis0n made a
sep forward. The countess turned suddenly
away; pale as ashes and Conway drew deep
breath of relief and turned to his friend.
Ralph" he said, must go. Heaven knows
why | should be the only person to know her
secret, but can't stay here longer and keep it.
Are YOU ready p
what was the matter just now ~
what could possess her TO come and talk to
me ? | told you there seemed to he dark mist
about It's head. We'll, while she spoke, it
leaned over her shoulder, and the mist seemed
to open. could see its face almost distinctly"
/" What was il like 81
a corpse The features set and pinched
and whitehall was all / could make out"
"Sne suspects something. Come we had
better g0.n
They moved slowly toward the door, Murchi-
son stopping here and there to speak to IN ac-
quaint lance as he passed But at the last mo-
ment he again turned TO Conway.
Look once more he said and rs he spoke
he felt himself shudder, for the horror of the
vision had Begin to infect him. "Take one
last deliberate look at her, and don't carry away
any fancies."
Conway obeyed. He glanced round the room
in search of the countess. She was quite at the
further end, and had her hand Oh the handle of
a door, as if going out but at the moment
when the two friends paused looking at her
some one spoke to her, ana she turned from
the door to reply. Murchson just perceived
this, and then trying In COnway's face to dis
cover what he saw, took alarm at the awful
palor which crept over it, and drew him
quickly out into the hall.
"POr heavens sake, what was il y
For a moment Conway seemed unable to all
swer. HIS lips were white and stiff his hands
trembled,. and he grasped his friends arm to
support himself.
81 he mist was almost gone from about it,"
he said at last. " 1t is a corpse, long dead, de-
caying, livid, phosphOrescent-I don't know
what to say-it giimmers-it has shreds Of a
shroud hanging about it. Oh, it is horrible
He trembed convulsvely. Nurchison's own
nerves thrilled.
Come into the dining room minute he
said " there are two or three men there yet,
and then well be off"
They went in. 1t was still early, and the
host SIT patiently waiting the end of political
argument Three or four Of the guests were
absorbed in it; they formed little group at
one end Of the table. The rest of the room was
empty. The two young men, after exchanging
a word or two with the earl, sat down apart,
and MurchiSOn asked
You saw it more clearly, then ~
Yes, quite clearly. Don't ask about it now
ii absNtI All lpul IitHllbllS dlltI'
Better do 1t now. 1t is either fancy, or else |
the most awful visitation that ever mortal was
subject to-
"Fancy! | tell You it is no fancy. You saw
her take her hand off the handle Of the door /
when that girl spoke to herr Well, the-the /
thing put its horrible banG on the handle as if /
TO open the door, and its other arm was round /
her-nOt close, not absolutely holding her, but /
making as if it would open the door and draw |
her into the next room. But the horror was, |
that it lOoscd the handle and raised its ann us | |
looked. and looked at me and beckOnedW
Their talk was suddenly interrupted. A |
lex, ringing through the house. broke 1t of. |
Doors opened and smut in all directions; and |
the whole party, rushing into the hall, found |
servants huuying wildly about, and the conn
tes,'s French maid screaming and exclaiming-
NV lady! my lady! She is dying-she is
dcad-she is poisoned Malheureuse que je
sus -
Struggling on with the crowd the two friends
reac' ed the door of a small drawing open
ing from the larger one. In Il low chair, near
the fire, sat the countess her eyes closed, her
face white and rigid. \ coffee cup had fallen
from her hand, and lay broken on the tlOor-a
stream of the dark liquid marked her rich white
dress. Beside her, ON a table. a small case,
aud the room was full of subtle deadly odOr.
As the holder or more intimate visitors gath !
cred round, following the earl, Conway laid his
hand Oh MurchlsOn's shoulder.
There it is r. he said. close beside her,
bending down 1t puts It's arms round her"
The rigid figure 50 still in the midst OF the
terrified excitement, suddenly moved The
countess opened her eyes She turned her head
slowly, rs If looking fovsome one close at Ler
,iGc.
At last, Philip" she SAID distinctly, and
died. Blackwood.