The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-04-24
THE TERROR OF A NIGHT.

dertul superstructure or hair which
had excited 80 much admiration at
the dinner from which the lady had
just returned.
Every har of all those golden
braids and puffs grew from Nine Per
rot's own head. 1t was too great
task to unbind and comb it for tbs
night with her own hands. Where
was Felice? Why did she not come?
Nine. Perrot rang the bell again.
E'Send Felice to me at once" she |
said, as the servant opened the
door.
81 have been searching for Felice
ever since received madame's direc
tions," said the woman. II do not |
think that she can be in the house.
Indeed, If madame will permit me, | |
think | can guess. Felice has been in
the habit OF going out evenings. Eel |
ice has lover"
Indeed" said Mime. Perrot. |
"Well, pretty girls generally have
beaux. Only she should not forget |
her duties"
eff madame will permit, the servants
say that this beau of Felice's is q gen.
tleman, not aman OF her own position,
and that-but no matter; it Is none of
my business. Only young girls were
more prudent in my days"
az will speak to Felice,' said
madame. cit was right of you to men,
tion this"
Then she sank back into her chair
and waited little longer. She was
not a nervous person, and yet gloom
aud dread, for which she had no words,
began to settle down upon her. She
shuddered-she grew cold-she dared
not look behind her-she fancled
strange voices borne to her on the
breeze that lifted the curtains over the
open windows.
In the salon, M. Perrot and
some old friends drank wine and
PLAYED ecarte.
She would have gone to them had
she dared, but she dreaded the long
corridor too much. She absolutely
did not dare to open the door.
Someone who knew the value of the
Jewels she had worn that day might
have followed her home. The idea OF
the black-visage1 ruffian was go terri
bly, vivid that Nine. Perrot actual
ly gave little scream, and Selling
the small silver hand-bell which stood
lently.
1t was in this way that she was
wont to summon Felice from her own
little room hard by. The other serv-
ants only only answered the bell which
communicated with the kitchen; but
Nine. Perrot hadnow become too ner-
vous to cross the room to touch it.
She rang her little silver bell and
oh 70 ND no
door, hoping that some one had heard;
the door opened, and Fellce entered
slowly.
Her face was very pale, her large,
dark eyes were darker than ever. She
made her little courtesy, and stood
before Nine. Perrot with her hands
folded together.
"You have been long time in COM
ing" said Nine. Perrot. az have wait
ed for you two hours. This must
never happen again"
"No, madame, never again"
''See that it does not. My dressing
gown, Felice.'
The girl already held it in her hands.
Usually she was brisk and active in her
movements. To-day she was strange
ly slow and solemn.
''If it was my shroud you could not
be graver over it" cried Nine. Per
rot. "There, comb my hair and go.
You are TOO frightfully solemn to en-
dure any longer"
at is madame's will that | should
comb her hair" she said.
'Have you gone crazy, Felice
Have yCUnotdone it every night for q
year,"
s'If it is madames will Unjust it, .
said Felice, III the same strange way
and she stepped behind the lady:
chair.
Slowly the great masses OF COLDER
floss fell about the lady's shoulders
Softly the maid gathered them under
her hands, and began to pass TIL
comb through them. As she did 81
Nine. Perrot experienced such {
shock as one receives from an electro
battery.
"What a strange feelingl' she cried
Again the comb entered her hair
Again she experienced the singula
sensation.
"What are you doing to me, Felice
she cried, starting to her feet. "Wha
are you doing to ms? YOU"
But there was no one there; tn
door had not opened or shut. Felic
had been standing behind her the in
slant before. Now she was gone. TIL
dread OF she knew not what wa
heavier than before. Sbecould nejthe
scream nor run.
All that she could do was to dra
herself to the bed and draw the cover
lets over her head. Whether sh
tainted or lost consciousness she neyt
knew.
1t was late when she awoke. TIL
hands OF the alabaster clock upon tn
mantelplece pointed to the hour OF IL
But instead OF the usual domesti
rounds Of the hour, she was consciou
OF a strange hustle and confusion, an
she thought she heard the name {
t'ehCe repeated in tones OF horrC
more than once. Why did they nc
come to her and tell her.
In q moment more the door opened
and N. Perrot, wrapped in his quite
dressing gown, came in. His face wa
very grave.
You are awake, my love?" h
asked.
yes, | am awake. What has haI
pened ?"
'Gour maid Fehce is dead. She ha
taken poison. Her mother, washer
woman, lives in the Rue St. Cyr. Sh
went there yesterday afternoon, an
this morning was found dead in bed
The lamentations of the poor woma
awakened me- She had brought
note which Felice had left for you
Shall | read it ~
Yes. mon ami, +" said Nine. Perrot
trembling violently.
3DoRFD MADAME-(he began