The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-02-10


He beckoned to the General, and was
about to enter the house in which the light
uad just appeared, when the General Laid
his land upon his arm and arrested his foot
steps.
:. Why would you have ne enter this
house," he asked ..iiow DO 1 know what
vile plot may not lurk at ehe bottom of all
this foolish mystery? How do know who
may be waiting for me in that house, if l
should be weak enough to fall into the trap
that has been set for me'"
What do you fear?" said the man, scorn-
,ully. violence, robbery, murder, per-
haps. You think this house is occupied by
thieves, who would decoy you into their
den IN order to strip you Of al the valuables
you carry and then destroy you. That is
cone often enough III this city, perhaps, but
II Is not to be done in this house tonight.
If you suspect such treachery, 90 back to
where you left your carriage, and place
your watch and pocket-book in the custody
OF your coachman, and then return here. /
Will wait for you patiently"
"No! exclaimed the General; "whatever
danger there may be, will encounter i,
boldly. But you can at least tell me why
am summoned"
II can tell you nothing beyond that
which l was ordered to tell you'll YOU
value your good name, follow met"
That is what you were told to say?'
ut is"
'Lead the way then; for the preservation
OF my good name, would willingly follow
yon, though l should know you were lead
ing me into the jaws OF deathr'
Gomez then, and come without fear"
answered the man in the slouch hat.
He took key from his pocket and opened
a nf H.
lowed him along a narrow passage and up
two flights of dark. tumble-down stairs.
A. the top Of the second a light snone
lhrcunn . wide crevice at the bottom Of the
door.
Tho man knocked >~.tly at this door, and
Is he did so the light within was suddenly
extingcisbed
''Comc in,' said low voice within the
apartment:
The man opened the door and motioned
the General to enter; as he crossed the
threshold, the man drew back and closed
the door upon him. The next moment the
General could hear his footsteps as he slowly
descended the staircase.
He was alone then-alone with the occr1-
pant of this darkened chamber. For the
first few moments he was unable to dist;n-
guish any object in the obscurity, bat
the semi-darkness, he perceived that he was
in e garret-cha,nber, poorly furnished. and
only lighted by the dim patch OF sky visible
through the open window.
Near this window was seated fcure-a
female figure, robea ia white.
Brave and free from superstition as the
General was. the sight of this figure sent
sudden chill through him. He recoiled
few PAGES and laid his hand upon the lock
OF the door behind him.
"Do not fear me, y said low, sweet voice.
s'1t is l who have summoned you hither."
''For what purpose?
''ihat yen may learn Of the future, en-
swered the figure
"What Juggling folly is this?" exclaimed
the General, Indignantly.
''lt is neither juggling nor folly, General
Dumont." replied tae voice, sole.nnly. "If
you are brought here in the darkness to
hear speaker whose face you may not see,
1t is because you have something to learn,
but you are not yet to know who it is wEo
reveals to you the horrible truth"
''The horrible truth" exclaimed the Gen
eral; "what trutL?''
1.-The truth which may, perhaps, cast q
shadow uDon your life" answered the un-
seen speaker :.You love, do you not?
You love the woman whom you have prom
ised to wed?"
"What do you know Of this?" asked tie
General, haughtily.
ADO not question, but answer me. if you
would know that which have to tell You
love this woman, do you not? You love
Maud Ovington?"
'.You know he-, then!" exclaimed tho
General.
"Better than you do! Once more as,s,
co you love herr"
'.Passionately-d -devotcdly!"
$50 passonstely and devotedly that you
would sacrifice for her sake the honor OF
your family"
''No.' cried the General, with sudden
e,erry-'no! a thousand times, 10! would
sacrifice my life, but not my honor, for that
is not mine to give-it is sacred heritage,
not to be bartered.'
'.You would not sacrifice your honor then
to your love for Miss Ovington?'
NO." replied the General "But why do
you ask me this?"
'.Decause know the woman you love bet
ter than you know her. He who marries
Maud Ovington will marry q woman whose
soul is stained with guilt!
at is ialse!" exclaimed the General
springing toward the shadowy figure.
The white-robed figure lifted her hand
with warning gesture.
Zone step nearer, and am gonew she
said, solemlly. "One step nearer, and l
leave you-leave you to your ignorant wor-
ship OF worthless wonlan!"
"A worthless woman!'
s.Yes-a woman whose soul is black with
hidden crime-who hides beneath the inno-
cert beauty of an angels face the dark spirit
Of fiend-whose outer life is false as the
shadows we see in a glass. A traitress, false
alike TO love and honor.'
.'Of what crime do you accuse her9"
gasped the General.
..Of the worst crime"