The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-03-31
The stranger was silent. He was gazing
i'll admiration upon the beautiful beng who

| rlchesl white lace. Her Wavy golden hair,
which hung in ringlets upon her neck and
shoulders, was only adorned by single
white camelia. She wore no jewels, except
a pair OF massive gold bracelets upon her
round white arms.
at was thus that you appeared to C}ar.
ence Suydam!' exclaimed the stranger after
u pause. 'It was thus the enthusiastic
young artist beheld you-the hapless artist
whom yOn fascinated and DESTROYED"
Mrs. DuElOnt threw back her head with n
naughty gesture, and gaZed detianty ut the
speaker.
Il acknowledge no acquaintance with
this Clarence Suydam," size Said, Except
the ordinary acquaintance between a woman
OF fashion and her drawing master"
! .''loa may refuse. to acknowledge anv
other acquaintance, madam; s.but what if
/ Your letters bear witness of a very different
j acquaintance? What if your letters, written
months ago, bear record OF a solemn prom
lse 20 become that mans wite2'
| My letters" cried Maud Dumont, clasp
ing her hands before her face.
Ia that one moment she had lost all pres
ence of mind-in that one moment she had
betrayed herself a, what she was-a terrified
and aSonized woman, oppressed and tor
tured by the remorse of crime. But, with a
powerful effort, she again controlled herself.
There are no such letters in existencer
she said, decisively.
''What? exclaimed the stranger. sDid
Nyou destroy them with your hands?"
/ The woman was silent.
"Iou 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 Du that those. in the keeping OF an
other, would not be held more precious
than,their weight in diamonds of the finest
wateI?'
Are those letters in your possession?"
'Nhat If l answer, 'yes?"
''lf they are in yonr keeping, tell me tho
price you demand. I will buy them from
you on your terms
''You are very generous, madam" an
swered the mask. with a sneer; 'but the let
ters are not Ill my possession. They are in
the hands of another person.
'Let me see that person, them cried
Mrs. Dumont. ''Let me hear what terms
his avarice would demand of me-"
''He asks nothing. He would see Won
and restore those letters with his own handr'
Lead me to hir. then! Why waste this
time in idle talk? Let me see him.
''You do not then fear to see hiln?"
''Fear! No. Why should tear?'
because this person is not altogether
unknown to you. You have seen him be-
fore"
.'What of that? Let him restore me those
letters, and 1 will look upon him as my
greatest friend Pray take me to him with
out further delay"
'.There is no occasion for me to take you
to him. said the stranger, calmly; she will
be here before long"
ssHeref'
"Yes 1t is now midnight. At quarter
past twelve he will be here"
''Then will wait"
The stranger opened the door communi-
eating with the box The curtains of this
box were drawn, but the brilliant lights of
the theatre penetrated through the folds.
.'.From behind these curtains you may be-
hold the sdene below without fear of being
observed" said the stranger.
Mrs. Dumont passed into the box, and,
pushing back the folds of the curtains,
looked down upon the vast crowd of mask
ers on the platform below. She gazed with
eyes which saw not what they gazed upon.
She was absorbed in doubt and apprehen-
sion. Who were these hidden enemies who
had discovered secret which she had be-
licved to be beyond the power of man to
fathom? ~
The stranger remained in the anteroom.
The bride of few weeks let fall the curtain
which she had held back for few moments
while she looked below. She sank into a
chair and waited for the coming of the per
son who was said to be the possessor OF her
letters. The door between the box and the
ante-room was ajar. After waiting for
about quarter of an hour, Mrs. Dumont
heard the sound ola low knock upon the panel
Of the outer door, the door which opened on
the corridor. Two minutes afterward, the
masked stranger looked into the box
1.-The person whom you wish to see is
here, madam" he said. Il will bid YOU
good night"
She heard the outer door close behind
him before she entered the ante-room. A
strange, shuddering terror, which she was
poweriess to control, seemed to root her to the
spot upon which she stood. Without know
ing why, she dreaded crossing the narrow
threshold which divided the box from the
Chamber adjoining it.
Maud Dunont entered the ante-room and
found herself alone with the stranger. He
Wore simple evening costume-a black
dress coat. vest and pantaloons, and cravat
of white silk. But. like the man who had
led hel to the box, he wore a mask.
You have some letters, written by me,
some time ago, i'll your possession?' said
Mrs. DUnont.
The man bowed, but did not speak.
The graceful head of the woman was half
turned away from him. 1t seemed as if her
contempt for him was too great to be con-
cealed.
'What IS the price which you demand for
the restoration of those letters?" she asked,
haughtily.
Still the man did not answer, but, lifting
his hand, he slowly removed his mask
As he did so, Maud Dumont tuaDing her
head partially, looked across her shoulder
at his face.
She uttered loud and wailine CRY. which