The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-05-13

lIIS ~ Us WILL otcooy, uhWosStAi6
Would the never go?. Would he hold
us forever with that quiet unhinching
gaze?
At that moment shrieked, and mad
anne sprang to her feet. A crowd came
to see us. and fell back fainting.
In the morning We started. It was
summer time, and our way led through
the richest of earth's gardens. All was
beautiful from the sky downward-birds,
flowers, fruit, and velvety greensward.
In spite of everything I was happy.
"We will soon have long rest," said
madame, as we were whirled along. lyon
shall hear from the brother and sister at
home."
I was looking out of the window as she
spoke. As turned my face toward her,
felt some one touch my shoulder. L
turned quickly. The stranger was sitting
near US in the train.
His presence seemed so real to me that
spoke out angrily:
'If you please, sir"
Madame looked around. 49,.
'To whom are you speaking, Louise Z"
knew, then, that whatever l saw,
whether man or evil one, Madame Rosis
was conscious of nothing. 1 looked over
the face-at the blue eyes and gentle
mouth, down at the white hands and red
ring, without word.
"Monsieur Rosis," / thought. but
why does he follow madame" p"
We rode the day through with the fair,
;mmoyable figure beside us, and the doc.
tor 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:
"Here we shall find the ring" said
madame, as we hurried out of the train.
'It is like an inspiration. l feel it thro'
and through"
We did not go to hotel, but to q house
near the outskirts of town. / know the
coachman of the fly stared at madame
when she told him where to drive US.
The night was very dark. Looking tor
my friend, I could not see him, and l
thought was lost.
Warm as was the night, the place to
which we went was chilly. Madame had
fires started in the CRATES and ordered
wine to be brought.
"Where are we ?" / asked.
"Pardon me for not saying. This is
my home. No one dare intrude here"
No one? Was madame so sure! AS
she spoke, the pleasant faced stranger,
ghost or man, came noiselessly in, and
sat down by the fire. He wore the same
expression rs when had first seen him.
CHANGING at his hand, I saw the blood
red ring glowing upon his finger.
tsYou do not drink?" madame said, as
I sat holding the wine.glass. "What is
it 2"
I put down the glass with shudder.
"Madame Rosis, want 10 60 home"
"This is your home. BY day it is
beautiful. Tonight 1 know there are
shadows-aud is is cold. We can have
more fire." :.
"That is not it, want my sister. 1
seem to be trif1ing here"
"Well, well-I will play to you. |
will sing"
She Threw open the piano. Good
heavens, what wall came from it as her
delicate finger ran up and down the
keys! Wild unrest, agony, despair,
found voice in the melody which she
awakened. Then her little hands pat
tered 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 all
unsteady light they seemed to mingle
and waver together.
Where was I? The atmosphere was
like that of tomb? Was I among flesh
and blood realities, or had been drawn
into the charnel.house to expiate some
sin which I had committed? Sin, in
deed! What did I know about sin I?
.'sDon't madame-don't!" cried.
'You are driving me mad! Let me go
in the name of mercy, let me go!"
"You need rest" spoke the madame.
"You are nervous. You shall 60 to
your room and have support there"
She led me like child. What could
do?
Upstairs it was more cheerful. The
fire was fresh and the lamps gave out a
clear, steady light. ] drew q sigh of re-
lief.
"You like it?" said madame.
elbow can I help it?"
"I am glad. MY room is opposite. In
the night, ifyou are awakened, you can
come to me. But 7 think you will oleep.
I will send your supper to you in mo-
ment."
I did not wait for supper. Thorough.
ly exhausted, bodily and mentally, I
sank upon the bed. I do not know how
long slept. Istarted up suddenly from
my pillow, fearful shrek entering
through my brain. It was madame's
voice that aroused me. In a moment
there was sound of hurried feet in the
hall, murmer of strange voices, and
some one threw open the door opposite
mine. stole softly out and crossed the
hall to madame's room. There was a
group of strange people standing by her
bedside.
A-voice said, "She is dead"
"What is it-what killed her?" I
asked.
II do not know. Probably her heart
was diseased. Some sudden fright did it.
The detectives have been on her track for
weeks"
s.The detectives? Why?"
"She poisoned Monsieur Rosis, her
husband. That is theportrait yonder,"
said the physician.
1 gave one glance toward it. Ihad lit
tie need to look at it, since the face was so
terribly familiar. =. - -.
''she has escaped justice" some one
said, solemnly.
"You are mistaken, she has gone to
meet it."
"See p cried another, in q startled
voice, "She wore his ring again" r.
I looked down at the little waxen hand,
now clay cold. On the white forefnger
the heart of Monsieur Rosis glowed and
burned. 1t was plain to me, no matter
what others thought. Madame had died
D n r -