Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-04-21

"Well, gentlemen, replied the host.
II don't know for sure, but | think
she's bride, and that they're on their
wedding tour"
"a bride p roared the revelers
'bring her n. Fetch 'em both here:
we want to drink to the bride and talk
to the husband"
Our friends in the blue room trem-
bled; they feared an assault would be
made. But the same voice prevailed
over the din, and it was evidently that
of a superior officer. He lectured them
on their lack of courtesy, and there was
comparative quiet for a while. But
/ from the muff1ed daughter that broke
out from time to time, Leon and his
bride had an idea that they were still
the topic.
Suddenly there was a roar from the
/ left-hand room. "Garsong" shouted
the Englishman, gimme another bot
tie 0, port.
The port was brought and the Eng
lIshman grew quiet. Finally the Off
GERS, having drank all they could carry,
and some of them more departed after
having joined in parting toast to the
bride.
Quiet at last reigned over the hotel.
The night was clear, the moon shining
brightly. Leon and his bride looked
out from the window, and inhaled the
fragrance borne from the flowers in
the garden below. Suddenly Icons
gaze fell upon Il man who was saunter-
ing amidst the shrubbery. He walked
with his head bent down, a cigar in his
mouth, and his hands thrust into his
pockets. AS he turded the moonlight
fell upon his face. 1t was the English
mans dissolute nephew.
The night wore on. Leon and his
bride had almost forgotten their Eng
lish neighbor, when they heard a
strange sound in his room. 1t was that
Of the fall Of some heavy body. Min
gled with this there was a peculiar
crashing, grating sound, followed by
stifled cry. Silence. Then there were
two or three muttered oaths, and
silence again.
The young couple shudde1ed. What
could it mean? Leon tried to reassure
his trembling companion. but he was
interrupted by the cautious opening of
the next door It was softly closed
again, and then slow and APPARENTLY
careful footsteps were heard in the hall.
They were lost in the distance. They
ceased. Again all was still.
Soon the young bride was sleeping
calmly. But not so Leon. Despite
himself the sinister face of the English
mans nephew returned to his recellec-
ton. There was hatred, he thought,
IN the glance cast upon the nncle by
Sief Sne f1iS T1af roll of bank notes III IL the
valise. And that dull, heavy sound
but now, like the fall of a body upon
the fioor-the cry-the curses. Such
was the train of thought that ran
through Icons mind.
Mechanically he fixed his eyes upon
the door which communicated with
the Englishmen's room. There was q
door and the flooring. By the dim
light falling from the partially turned
down gas, he could see something
forcing its way under the door It
seemed at first like a knife-blade, for
the edge was thin, and reflected back
the light It moved slowly toward a
pale blue satin slipper, which had been
thrown carelessly near the door,
What can it be?'' thought Leon. rs
it a knife? No, for it is divided into two
parts. And now it divides again-and
yet again. What can 1t be? 1t is some
liquid"
The thing slowly crawled toward the
little b e slipper 1t encircled its heel.
1t stained it's front. 1t was a liquid of
strong and unmistakable colOr-the
color of blood.
For a long time Leon lay aud gazed
upon the stained slipper and the red
dish stream which encircled it. He
pictured to himself the corpse lying in
the next room; its discovery the follow
ing morning; the door opening into
the room, 0, which the bolts were on
his side; the blood-stained slipper.
These things passed through his mind,
and a cold sweat started upon him.
He attempted to rise and hide the
slipper; as he did SO, his wife awoke
and started with alright as she felt his
icy hand.
"What is the matter" she cried.
Leon explained to her the terrible
situation which they were placed. He
arose and attempted to remove the
tell-tale stains from the slipper but it
was useless.
Day was breaking. Already the SER
wants were moving around the hotel
In a few hours the crime would be dis
covered, and the officers of the law
would be upon them.
"Alasr said Leon "our only hope i;
this: At eight o'clock the train leaves
for Paris. If the Englishman's body is
not discovered before that time we are
safe We will take the train and lose
ourselves in the great city. There we
shall be safe
His weeping bride flung herself upor
his bosom. She felt almost as though
she had committed the deed.
But there yet remained two morta
hours before the train left. At eacl
step in the corridor they trembled with
alright. They made their preparation
for departure. Icons bride wished t.
burn the bloody slipper, but he restrain
. ed her, and concealed it On his person
Seven o'clock sounded. The hote
was alive again with bustling servants
Leon forced his wife to have a cup O
coffee, although she declared that he
parched throat refused to swallow
They then descended to the waiting
room, and Leon demanded his bill
The host presented it, and begged hi
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