Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1883-03-22
A SD STORY.

strange tragedy was enacted. The
Venetian curtains shut out the icy
blast that moved along the avenue.
and the rain-drops beat pitilessly
against the window, Within the
apartments soft warmth diffused
itself over the splendors that rivaled
an eastern palace. The soft carpet
yielded the sound of no football, An
oppressive silence reigned over the
room, and the warm light played
ftfully.
It rested like halo on bright
golden cl1rls and the Hobv-ftke form
of a woman in the pride of her
beauty. It was lovely face, fair
and tender as poets ideal. The
large blue eyes were over-shadowed
by long yellow lashes that lay Upon
the cheek and half-concealed the
palely-tinted underlids. But the
waxen cheeks were white and still
and the rigid form looked like death.
Jewels clustered in the hanging
curls, and flashed like sheath Of
diamonds from her hand. The
heavy folds of her dress clung to a
form as shapely as the Medicean
Venus or the fair-haired Vesta of
the Greeks. It was a cold but
beautiful creature, silent as death
motionless as a tenant Of the grave.
Was it death /?
One would think that life would
never desert creature so rich in al |
its graces, so beautiful: But the
heart stood still the white, slender
wrist had no pulse. There was a
lethargy like death upon the lady
a death itself.
What could it mean?
No one lived in the great house:
No sign of an inhabitant was met
within the WIDE corridors and state
ly halls. It rose from foliage that
had grown tangled and wild from
neglect, and the green grass crept
thro' the crevices Of the flags that
wound in many serpentine wa k
around the house-an old house on
Baronne street, but more stately
than it's modern rivals.
The family were II Europe-the
servants, even, had deserted it, and
high up in back chamber, away
from the feverish noise and strife of
the street, in the midnight hour, sat
the desoiate, lifeless lady, her Jewels
flashing, her face cold but radient
in the msllow gas light. The hours
wore on-the fire burned low, and
the soft, warm air was tempered
with cold. The gas light played
mellow, but it gave no warmth to
the waxen cheek and the silent fig
ire.
Hours passed, and then the door
opened silently to admit man. He
came on tip-toe, with bated breath
and eyes looking anxiously.
What did it mean!
On the table, where an arm OF
the lady leaned, was a goblet filled
with colorless liquid. This be
peered into and then at the lady,
"Not dead yeti
The words were almost breath
less, and the eyes had scared look
"Not dead yet! How could she
have survived so long?"
| And again his eyes sought th'
nelorless face, and his hand th'
small, tapering wrist.
"No pulse! The heart does no
beat! She must be dead ~ Ant
through the yelled window and ou
upon the frozen air pealed the laugl
Of maniac laugh horrible am
discordant which smote upon th
senses with a thrill of dread tha
pierced even the deadened facultie
of the woman so still and trance
like, and the blue eyes opened wide
and the regal head was raised wit
a cry Of alarm.
"Where am [ 20
"Alone with me,' the man ben
down and Kissed savagely. The ton
of the speaker was thrill of hate
It stupg like the sting Of an adder.
"Yod would not kill me?''
"Would I not? You are dyin
now. For days this poisoned dru
has been doing the work. Woul
not kill youl" he hissed again
"Iook at the heritage you rob me
You, the young wife of dotar'
If was curious trick that won yo
back from your foreign travel
alone and helpless. But [ did wi
you, and [ have you here p
"Man, you would not murd,
me-" and a Wild fear crept into Il
face and burned in the dilating eye
: "Would [ not? I have already
I and again the wild laugh echot
drearily, the wild eyes burned pit
!. lessly.
"What have I done %
"Robhed me of my inheritance
Y wheedled an old man into disinhel
$, ting his children
81 did mott love him |"
"And what matters it if you d
- the end is all the same"
She tried to cry out-tried