Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-25
CHAPTER XIV.
A VISION OF THE DEAD.

OF the opera D0X. Inc 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 as
if she had been in some wild retreat, amid
the solitude of o desert Had she screamed
aloud in her terror, her wild cutlery would
have been lost among the myriad voices of
the careless crowd below.
But, although terrified for brief period,
Maud Dumont 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.
81 have not feared my own dark memo
ries, my own secret agonies, she said to
herself ''Why should fear these people?"
She looked earnestly at the masked
stranger. He was of medium stature, but
his figure was enveloped in long domino
of black silk, which left only the thin out
line of his form visible. The hood of this
domino covered his head 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
hissfight hand she would, even then, have
failed to guess what the initial Cd" cut in
the stone signifed.
Mrs Dumont drew himself to her fullest
height as the stranger approached her, after
| locking the door communicating with the
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
husba9d?"
YES I 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. cit is carni-
val time, and folly reigns supreme. Why
should I refuse to join in carnival JEST"
''This is no jest, madam" answered the
stranger 81 told you, some moments
since, that I had solemn purpose in bring
| ing you here"
Eyes" returned Maud, still laughing with
the silvery music of girlish mirth; ''and
this solemn purpose is to brighten poor,
helpless woman out of her sensesi But
am not so easily terrified as you may, per-
haps, imagine, and can only say that, if
your purpose is solemn one, this place is
ill-chosen for its fulflment."
'sThink you so, madam" said the stranger.
''You little know the hidden secrets, the I'M
discovered mysteries, which Turk beneath
scene of reckless gaiety. The wild mirth of
the maskers may drown the shrieks of the
dying; the merry music Of the orchestra
may drown the sobs of the despairing. Do
not think that you are the less in danger be-
cause you hear music and laughter around
you"
81 fear no dangerw exclaimed Mrs. Du-
mont, with proud defiance. "Whoever and
whatever you may be, you shall suffer for
this insolence! General Dumont will avenge
the insults offered to his wife,
s'While he believes her worthy to be his
wife, doubtless, madam" said the man.
'EBut how will he act when he learns Of her
unworthiness?"
Mrs. Dumont did not condescend to an
swer this question.
''You have something to say to me?" she
said, coldly.
81 have"
evil you be so good as to say it as speed
| lily as 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 q CHAIR which he offered
the lady.
Maud Dumont threw off her mask and
the long silken domino which had enveloped
her.
''This place is insuferably 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 who
stood before him.
Mrs. Dumont wore a simple dress of the
richest white lace. Her wavy golden hair,
which hung in ringlets upon her neck and
| shoulders, was only adorned by O single
white camelia. She wore no jewels, except
pair of massive gold bracelets upon her
round white arms.
cit was thus that you appeared to Clar-
ence Suydamw exclaimed the stranger, after
pause. cit was thus the enthusiastic
young artist beheld you-the hapless artist
whom you fascinated and destroyedp'
| Mrs. Dumont threw back her head with
naughty gesture, and gazed de6antly at the
| speaker
II acknowledge no acquaintance with
this Clarence Suydam," she said, except
the ordinary acquaintance between woman
of fashion and her drawing master.
"You may refuse to acknowledge any
other acquaintance, madam; shut what if
your letters bear witness of very different
acquaintance? What if your letters, written
months ago, bear record of a solemn prom
Use to become that mans wife?"
"My lettersw cried Maud Dumont, clasp
| ing her hands before her face.
! In that one moment she had lost all pres
ence of mind-in that one moment she had
betrayed herself as what she was-a terrified
and agonized woman, oppressed and tor
tured by the remorse of crime. But, with
powerful effort, she again controlled herself.
''There are no such letters in existence"
she said, decisively.
s'What2" exclaimed the stranger ''Did
you destroy them with your hands,"
The woman was silent.
''You do not reply, but your silence is, in
| itself, sufficient answer. Think you that
any other hand than your own would ever
destroy the fatal evidences of your guilt?
Think you that those, in the keeping of an
other, would not be held more precious
than their weight in diamonds of the finest