The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-08-24
The 4orristow 4 Gazette.
Fatal Mistake
BARRETT SYLVESTER,
GurAoR o.
~RErTERED.YF PEga, s'cLouDs GNS sUSsHssfA-"
SERTELLE's RRRoRy'' " FALsE PzLDAs
~RIELcNEH BuHB, Grc-s EE6
CHAPTER XIV.
HrstoE OF THE DEAD.

VISION OF THE DEAD.
Mrs. CRANKY Dumont found herself alone
with the masked stranger in the anhe-room
Of the opera box. The 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 she 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
IL she had been in some wild retreat amid
the solitude of desert. Had she screamed
cloud 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 sHbdusd. She felt
that she was in the power of those hidden
and mysterious enemies who had endeavored
10 separate her from the General. She felt
also that only her own imporious will and
daring nature could save her.
81 havs not feared my own dark memo
ries, my own secret sgopiss," she said to
herself. ''Why should l fear these peopleP
She looked earnestly at the masked
stranger He was of medium stature, but
his fgurs was enYsloped 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. Tho
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
inga 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
his right hand, she would, even then, have
failed to guess what the initial sd, T" cut in
the stone signi6ed.
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 dOOrT" shs
asked.
Because wish to speak with you wish
out fear of interruption"
''And you refuse to lead nae back to nay
husband3'
''Yes, do. refuse, until you have heard
what have to say" ~
The Generals wife burst into q loud and
ringing laugh
''Be it So" she said, gaily. 'It is carni-
val TING and folly reigns supreme. Why
should refuse to Join in a carnival jsst2"
''Thfs is no jest. madam" answered thS
stranger. 81 told you, some moments
since, that had a solemn purpose in bring
ing you here"
ayes" returned Maud, still laughing with
the silvery music of girlish mirth; land
this solemn purpose is to Brighten poor,
helpless woman out of her sensesl But
am not so easily terrified as you may, per-
haps, imagine, and can only say that, if
your purpose is q solsnn one, this place is
iu-chosen for its fuIflment."
think you so, madam" said the stranger.
''You little know the hidden secrets, tbs IN
discovered mysteries, which lurk beneath
scene Of reckless gaiety. The wild mirth Of
the maSkers may drown the shrieks OF the
dying; the merry ruaic Of the orchestra
may drown the sobs Of the despairing. Do
not think that you are The less Ia danger be-
cause you hear music and laughter around
you"
81 fear no dangsrF exclaimed Nrs. Du
mont, with proud defiance. Whoever Ana
whatever you may be, you shall suffer for
this insolencel General Dumont VIII avengs
the insults offered to his vife!"
"While he believes her worthy to be hiI
wife, doubtless, madam" said the man.
'tBut how viii he act when he learns Of hos
IN worthiness?"
Mrs Dumont did not condescend To an
5wer this question.
'.YOu have somsthing to say to me2" cLo
said, coldly.
81 have"
"Wil you be so good as to say it as speed
Ily as possible, in order that you may ,uteF-
ward restore me TO my friends, who are, no |
doubt searching the building for me2"
81 obey, madam, answered the man, |
wheeling forward chair, which he offered |
the lady.
Maud Dumont threw off her mask and |
The long silken domino which had envslopsd |
her.
''This place is insuferably hot!" she said, !
rs 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 ringlsts upon her neck and |
shoulders, was only adorned by single !
white camelia. She wore no jewels, except !
, pair of massive gold bracelets upon her |
round white arms.
SIT was thus that you appeared to Clar- (
ance SuydamF' exclaimed the stranger, after |
} pause. ''It was thus the enthusiastic
young artist beheld you-ths hapleSs artist |
whom YOU fascinated and destroyedi7
Mrs. Dumont threw back her head with a /
naughty gesture, gnd gazed defantly at the
speaker. rs
ST acknowledge no acquaintance with |
his Clarence Suydam," she said, except |
he ordinary acquaintance between q woman
''You may refuse to acknowledge any
)ther Acquaintance, madam; "but what If
-FOUR letters bear witness of very different
What if your letters, written
months ago, bear record of a solemn prom
sc to become that mans wife?"
''My letteTsw cried Maud Dulnont, clasp
ng her hat2s before her face.
, In that one moment she had tosa all pres
nee of nnind-in that one moment she had
.oTC ry,,R ]
md agonized woman, oppressed and tor
ured by the remorse Of crime. But, with
powerful effort she again controlled herself.
''There are no such letters in existenceI"
he said, decisively.
'"What2' exclaimed the stranger. 'tDid
-ou destroy them with your hands2"
The woman was silent.
''You do not reply. but your silence Is, In
tself, sufficient answer. Think you that
ny other, hand than your own would ever
estroy the fatal evidences of your guilt
Think you that those, in the keeping of an
Their, would not be held more precious
han their weight in diamonds of the finest
iater2"
'.Are those letters in your possession"
"What if I answer, 'yes2"
'If they are in your keeping, tell me the
rice you demand. will buy them from
on on your terms"
'1Ou are very generous MADAM, an
Hered the mask, with O sneer; 'fbut the let
ors are not in my possession. They ara in
ae hands of another narRnn Il
LET me see That person, thenT" cried
Ers. Dumont. Let me hear what terms
is avarioe would demand of mel" |
''He asks nothing. He would see you
nd restore those Letters with his own handIa1 I
LEAD me to him, thenl Why waste this 1
me in idle talk2 Let me see himl'
s'You do not then fear TO see him2"
''Fearl No. Why should fearT'
''Becauss this person Is not altogether
nknown to you. You have seen him be-
re-" S
''What of that2 Let him restore me those Z
tiers, and will look upon him as my J
reatest friend Pray take me to him with !
ut further delay"
There is no occasion fOF me 70 take you v
him, said the stranGsgs calmly; Che viii
, here before long"
a.Hl &