The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-05-24
THIBODAUX, LA, SATURDAY. MAY o. 1884

twenty years. / have had laore than ny
allotted share, and Row, [ think, all our
Joy Will barenewed III Gerald.
Dear Gerald" mlumured the LADY,
. He IS happy III having won So sweet a
girl as Edith Falconer
Yes, indeed, said the Viscount "she
W.iii 'e Charming oaushtet tor yol, luy
Geraldine"
and ior yo.,, dear"
''FeIilaps, saloi tie Viscount, thought
fully. @-1
Why perhaps" asked his wife.
'Iill5 aiutdck, ny daring, may be but
me precursor oi one more fatal. 10 10.
COX SO startled. do not say it viii be,
but 1t may be.
"Hark. What is that noiso9 Is i
not the sound OF voices and fco.sters.' y
Geraldine rose amd looked out.
The moonbeaMs fell upon a group Of
!aen coming up the aven;.e and ;hey
were carrying sone.hing-s.le could not
see what.
Unwilling to alarm the Viseount. She
said quickly, There are persons coming
up the avenue. l viii 50 and see yi...s
1t means -
She descended tie noble staircase with
rapid Steps. and reached tia, hall as the
door W.l3 tiung olsn and tie men en-
erred, stii bearing that soules,.iag in the.
arms.
As tie lady came forward, Ernest iiew
20 her side.
Come here!" he said "Come IN
hece 20
Geraldine glanced at his face, on which
was the picture Of distress
- y hat has happened = she asked, IL
a GREATNESS tone.
Il cannot tell you'll cannot tell
you! Come i'll the drawing g-room Edith.
Frances! oh, in Heavens name. come
here !"
Edith had heard the footsteps and
voices long before aud had ris..1,, but
She remained rooted to the spot, listen
ing with every sense strained
Ernest's voice, III agonizing tones,
broke the spell which bourd her, and
she was at lds side il moment
Help me to persuade the Viscountess
to come into The draving-room. some
thing has happened Oh, something
dreadful has happened For Heaven !;
sake, Edith do not look ike that. Do
not go there" :" he continued, frantically.
lat Eu.lhs eyes were fascinated by
sile terrible burden that was supported
Ill the arms Oi the men, and size heard
MIN not.
She flew to their side, and with a fran.
tic hand tore the blootlstained cloak
rom the face. and, with cry of horror,
tou back II. Ills; aetainiiig aims.
The Viscounte.ss renamed as If turned
to stone, and Ernests entrea.ies and
gentle force could not move Ler from,
the spot.
The servants crowded with terrified
looks into the hall. actl the BODY ot
their beloved master was laid on a
couch.
He cannot be dead!" they breathed
as they drew away the cloak.
As the face, beneath the glare OF the
lamp, was revealed III all its ghastly
Wilderness, The mothers heart contracted.
Too well she knew he was dead, and
without 4 cry, she sank on his knees by
his side.
"Gerald," she whispered hoarsely,
my child, you cannot have gone from
ne forever! Ny boy-nly darling"
Il voice loud, stem, and commanding,
reused ali from the st,lpor Of horror into
which everyone had fallen, and the Wis
count stood among them.
who has done this Z" he said, point
ing to the dead form of his son. "Who
has made NE ciildless. Speak! Where
is the murderer!
An indistinct MUrmur alone answered
him.
"Will no one speak" z" he continued,
his wild eyes glaliEg round on the terri
tied group. "Wil no one show me the
murderer of my son, that these hands
may wiring the black hands of the assas-
sin from his bosom:'
I'VE have not sought him at least, l
have given no orders, said Ernest.
Search for him, then, " he said, turn
irg to the servants drag him hither,
that at the feet of his victim may slay
him.
Then, turning to his son, the father
triumphcd over the avcng-r, he bent
down and smoethed the clustering hair
from his brow.
Gerald" he murmured, hoarsely,-
only offspring of my love-so good,
SO noble, 50 youas-cI;t oil By al assi:es
sins hand-it Is too hard, too much TO
bear"
Choking sobs checked his utteranca
and Edith. who had recovered from lie.
insensibii;ty, crept to his side, and
pressed his hand silently to her lips.
He turned towards her, and placed his
hand on her head.
Poor bride widowed e'er yet wife.
you must help pe to comfort his
mother. Geraldine" he whispered,
come to my heart! Weep on this
bosom, poor mother, which would gladly
bear thy anguish for thee y
Ernest placed his arm round the Vis-
countess, and raised her from her knees;
but her eyes were closed her face rigid.
the lips drawn apart. and her hands still
and cold rs death.
"Oh, God!" said the Viscount, in q
tone Of agony, .'she is dead; her hear.
has broken! Now am I indeed alone !"
He pressed his hands to his bosom,
as If e st;u soma fearful min and then