The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-03-03

scended the steps of the Ovington mansion.
His carriage was waiting for him. but he
dismissed the coachman and walked SLOWLY
homeward. TIE streets were deserted. and
the lamps glimmered family through fast
rising fog.
AS General Dumoat turned out of Madi-
son Avenue he was startled by hand being
laid suddenly upon his shoulder. He turned
round and found himself face to face with
man who wore a slouch hat and thick.
woolen muller, which entirely concealed
the lower portion of his face.
''What do you want with me?" asked the
General haughtily.
You are General CRANKY Dumont?"
"Yes."
''And you are to be married tomorrow"
81 am" answered the General, with in
creased hauteur. "May I ask by what right
you allude to my private affairs!"
Il merely asked question:" replied the
man. 81 have letter for you"
''From whom?"
Il cannot tell you"
''Stay!' exclaimed the General, laying his
hand suddenly upon the shoulder of the
stranger. ''You arrest me at this hour of
the night, and you speak to me of my in
tended marriage, which is known only to
myself and the circle of my intimate friends.
An idea strikes me that you are one of those
who have plotted conspiracy against the
most innocent of women. Your accomplices
escaped by their clever juggling. but You
Shall not escape me SO easily. You shall
come with me to the nearest police-station.
and I will discover there who and what Won
are"
The man gave shrill whistle, which was
evidently signal. and, wrenching himself,
by violent jerk, from the powerful grasp of
the General, he ran down the street.
CRANKY Dumont pursued him, but, two
blocks distant from the spot where the pur-
suit began. the man was met by a coach.
which had been, no doubt, lurking close at
hand, and which approached in answer to
his signal.
The stranger sprang into the coach. For
one moment he paused before seating him.
self in the vehicle, and flung letter on the
pavement at the feet OF the General.
"You would do we'll not to attack those
who are your truest friends!" he exclaimed
ns he cid So
The driver cracked the whip, and the
horses tore OF at a gallop.
The General picked up the letter, and
looked about him for = moment, hesitatinq
what to do. He was not for from home, but
his feverish impatience would not allow him
to wait until he reached there before ascer-
tanning the contents of the letter which he
had received in such an extraordinary man.
ner. no conld not see to read it by the
light of street lamp on account OF the
fog. He walked for block or so and turned
into one Of the small side streets A little
way on he saw the slanting rays of light,
which emanated from chink in doorway
I Annrnop n1o hor
that it was the doorway of q small liquor
saloon. The General knocked on tho wood
en- shutters placed over the glass, as the
place was supposed to be closed in conform
ity to the excise law. The knock was re-
peated before the door was cautiously
opened and rather hard specimen of hu-
manity pecred forth.
Il am sorry to disturb you at so late an
hour. said the General, entering through
The half-opened door; ''but, seeing the light
under your door, imagined that you had
not yet gone to bed. viii You oblige me-
With bottle of soda-water, and allow me to
read letter by the gaslight on your BARI"
Certainly, sir, replied the man, politely.
While ne unfastened the wire about the
neck of the soda-water bottle, the General
tore open the mysterious letter with q hand
which trembled in spite of himself.
The letter was worded thus:
General Cranky Dumont has been
warned once, but has refused to listen.
VIII he hear second Warming or will he
'ush headlong to the abyss of ruin that lies
before him? Tomorrow will be too late.
II be would listen, ho must listen tonight.
one whom he has met before will bo in
- Church two hours after midnight"
This was all There was neither sigma |
ure nor date. The hand was cramped and !
ormal, and was evidently disguised.
''Two hours after midnight" repeated the |
1eneral.
Almost involuntarily his eyes glanced at
he clock against the opposite wall.
"a quarter to two!' he said, aloud.
"fes, sir" answered the bartender, 'and |
ye're pretty near right. A minute OF two
low, If anything, but pretty near right"
Re was pouring out the soda-water as he |
aid this.
"Never mind that my good friend" said
he General, hastily; Il can't stopto drink
He flung silver quarter.dollar upon the
ounter and ran out of the house without
Taiting for the change.
1T would be wiser, perhaps, to treat this
lie scrawl with contempt" be thought, as
e hurried along; ''but l must and will
athom the mystery, and, in order to do so,
must see this person who claims acquaint-
He could not repress q shudder as he re-