Wichita eagle., 1889-02-21

Seine boat, watching the sedgy banks of the
river and noting sleepy old cities, became
painfully conscious that this fair passenger
tEas shadowing me for some mysterious
reason
Long before the boat reached its destlna-
lion began to grow very uncomfortable;
and the faculty she had of being Wherever
Invent became more marked and more an
noying as we proceeded. Was she sanes
Certainly one look into the calm depths OK
her dark eyes revealed that
SWELL" l thought, "when reach Rouen
Twill escape her!" But no. her watch grew
most vlgilant
At last, after she sought the same hotel
had chosen, / said abruptly to her one
evening: "Surely you leave US at Rouen"
Instead of beng highly indignant she
forced an odd little smile and replied that
she '.lntended going no farther"
Her words impressed me unpleasantlv
somehow, and the look of mingled love and
hate she gave me as she turned away
haunted my mind so that / could not sleep
after retiring.
Before lay down 1 left my window open,
under strange impression that L should
need way to escape; that something
dreadful was about to happen. l also had
q vague, uncertain idea that l was to have
part in the adventure; all the time | found
myself connecting the beautiful young
woman with the tragical associations.
After had lain there some time, waiting
for something, knew not what, to happen,
Iheard approaching footsteps.
Down the narrow uncarpeted stairs and
across the hall they came in the silence of
the night-watches. In my painful intuitive
state of nervous excitement listened to
each football with sinking heart. Man
though was l could not repress SILVER
of terror as the soft tread paused at my
door.
Merciful heaven! I had forgotten to
turn the key-but the door was pushed
noiselessly open and some one entered. l
fcigned sleep, breathing heavily as in
jeep slumber. In moment moro l was
conscious of presence bending over me;
then | felt warm breath on my cheek.
"Re sleeps" came in low, musical &C
cents, which l recognized as those Of my
beautiful companion of the boat. Then she
continued: g He has not, as yet, recognized
me; but o, that he had proven true! L love
you so, dear Maurice!'
Here the soft touch of her hand rested
for a moment on my forehead. The blood
seemed to start madly in my veins, and
happy thrill, as of old wine, went over me
ut the magnetism Of her touch. O., who
could have been so heartless and cruel as to
deceive this lovely wonana
''But tomorrow night" the sweet voice
on, "you are to meet me at La Pierre when
the moon is low"
A gentle, caressing kiss lay lightly on my
check, thrilling my whole beng; but she
had gone. lay perfectly still; was this
dream or was it reality, and had she mis-
taken me for a trUant loveri
Like one in a delightful enhancing
dream / lay, my soul yearning for the in
toxiceting kiss and the carcss of taper
fingers to be repeated. Sleep was impos-
sible now; but in its stead a delicious
stupor stole over my senses. l saw the
moonlight streaming IN through the open
easement as something afar off. and the
strains of music came to my ear family on
the fragrant air.
Tomorrow night" l murmured, raptur-
ously, II am TO meet her at La Pierre"
Upon inquiry the next day [ found that
La Pierre was a ruinous old chapel not far
from my lodgings, and had fully deter
mined to visit the ivied walls that night,
whatever the consequences might be.
But with the evening came a furious
storm Of wind and rain, and l gave up the
adventure as wholly impracticable and
sought my little parlor on the second floor.
As stood watching the elements through
the half-closed blinds, hand was lad
gently on my arm. l turned to see who
could have taken the liberty to come into
my apartments unannounced and, beholdl
there stood my siren of the night before
Aren't you afraid of this awful storm,
Maurlcer' she asked, shuddering a little
The beautiful eyes were uplifted in loving
appeal for sympathy, and as l stood there
ia the dusks with her it came to me like