The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-07-15

| vas you ndNC ucI0.
| got together what was needed.
II am ready, monsieur.
"Then you must allow me to blind
fold you. Give me your handkerchief.
There! Does that hurt you?"
"No."
Ny hat was fortunately soft one. He
turned the brim down so as to conceal
the fact that my eyes were covered.
''Now follow me to the carriage, ami
remember, M. Godin, | trust to your
honor as gentleman to fulfill all the con-
ditions | imposed. "
1t. was with no little difficulty that
managed to descend the stairs with my
load. At the landings the stranger took
hold of an elbow and gently guided me-
AS we passed into the street my COM
panion spoke in whisper to some one
who was evidently waiting for him.
l was then put into carriage and
| driven rapidly away, but so many turns
were made that could not determine in
what direction we were going. Some
one was sitting'by my side. presumed
it was my visitor, but he did not seem
inclined to speak, and had plenty to
occupy my thoughts. Where was l
being taken, and for what purpose? The
more pondered the more uneasy be-
came. My only comfort lay in the GER
tainty that l had thousand francs in
my pocket.
After while the carriage stopped and
was told to get out. Some one took
my arm and led me up flight of steps,
then along a hall, then up staircase
and finally along a corridor. | Judged
from the height and width of the stair
case, which was of stone or marble, and
the rich carpeting or the passage or cor
ridor, that | was in a grand mansion.
''Sit down, M. Godin. There is a
chair Immediately behind you. When
you hear me close the door of this room
you may uncover your eyes and begin.
You are to paint precisely as it is the
what is lying on that bed. You must
finish before five o'clock tomorrow
morning. When you are ready to 90
away you must rebandage your' eyes,
then sound bell you will find on the
table. A person will come and conduct
you to your studio. In ten or twelve
days will send for the picture; it must
be packed SO that no one can see it, and
you must pack it yourself. The person
who will come for it will pay you the
second thousand francs. You will find
refreshments on the table. Now leave
you. Do not forget the conditions you
have promised to keep"
| heard him close the door. Then |
eagerly tore the bandage from my face.
The glare of brilliantly-Hghted room
oppressed my eyes for few seconds, and
| could only distinguish that the apart
ment was large and .magnifcently fur
nished.. As my vision grew clearer |
saw that almost Immediately in front of
me was very handsome coffin standing
velvet. | had been prepared for some
thing strange, but the sudden sight of
the coffin made me shudder. In mo-
ment or two, however, gathered cour-
age enough to walk toward it. 1t was
empty. The lid stood by the side, and
some of the silver screws had fallen on
the floor. picked one up and looked
at it. The head was badly mauled. Evil
IDENTIFY the coffin had been opened by some
Impractical hand. Where was its for
mer occupant Instinctively turned
toward the bed. On it was lying the
body of woman. looked at the face
| think it was the most beautiful | ever
saw. The expression was so calm and
happy it was difficult to believe she was
not merely sleeping. had only noticed
the face. AS my eyes passed from that
to the figure a sight met them which
drew from me a cry of horror and rage.
Her breast was barred, and through her
heart a jeweled-handled dagger was
buried to the hit
| felt i'll and faint went to the table
and took a long draught of brandy. Then
| came backto the bedside. 1t was not,
as had tried to persuade myself, q hor-
rid dream, phantasy. There was the
dagger, driven with unerring aim and
deadly force. noticed that SO skillfully
had the blow been given that only two
clots of blood had escaped from the
wound. The bleeding must have been
wholly internal. Again | glanced at the
sweet, peaceful face. There was nothing
in it to indicate the agony which had
been taught to look for in painful and
sudden DEATH
Where was I? Upon what frightful
tragedy hadT lighted? Had this muir.
dered woman been faithless wife, or
was she some innocent girl who had been
enticed here to meet ruin and death?
What should do? What could do?
My first impulse was to raise an alarm,
but moments reflection convinced me
of the uselessness and danger of such a
proceeding. 1t was evident that the per-
son or persons who had committed this
crime would not hesitate at another to
secure safety. had no idea in what
quarter of Paris L was, nor of how to
gain egress from the house. Beside,
had heard the door locked behind me.
But why should any one desire to per-
petuate that terrible sight? This was a
question could not answer, though
racked my brain for response. Then
1 looked again at the body and the fright
full fascination of the subject began to
enthrall me. Its grim awfulness appealed
to something in my artistic nature and
urged me with irresistible force to begin
work. / had always had touch of
morbidhessin my ms SEPARATIONS, yet had
never conceived such combination of
the beautiful and the horrible. Yes,
whatever l might feel it my duty to do
on the morrow, | would work my best