St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-11-08

|, IL
small degree of astonishmcnt that tn
sick man had partially raised himself I
a sitting posture. and was also contem
plating the lovely portrait with as mucl
earnestneSs as myself
The invalid, despite the rayages o
disease. which showed itself in his hol
low eyes and attenuated frame, was q,
uncommonly handsome man; his feat
ures bore the impress Of aristocrati
lineage, and his finely chiseled nose an,
mouth expressed strong passions An,
uncomfortable will
"You feel better" I said, recoyerin,
from my surprise.
He waved his hand impatiently.
"You have not answered my question
The picture-the picture; what do 20,
think Of it?'
Pardon me, sir. It is beautiful!'
''You have no idea Of the Originally"
'.NOne. SIR"
ut is the portrait" replied the sicl
man. speaking slowly and deliberately
and fastening upon me his black. gilt
tering eye-''it Is the portrait Of my
dearest wife"
"Your wife!, l repeated.
my wife. Evelyn ST. Croix," pursued
the sick man. do you notice her eyer
81 do"
"A strange, unearthly expressions; The
artist was true to nature. She was mad
when he painted her; she died ravina
mad"
"What . dreadful fato for one q
young-'
"Listen; she deserved it Evelyn St
Croix was beautiful. but she was weak
aud vain; she was graceful as q nymph,
| but false-false as hell!"
the sick man fell back ON his pillow,
exhausted by the violence Of his exer-
tions; then, after . few moments. he
raised himself again and muttered
huarsely: 1T affects me, the remem-
brAnce Of her perfidy. 1t sometimes
makes me wild and delirious. Stop!
you shall hear about 1.-THE story Of my
wrongs and sufferinga"
"You are too weak; it excites you. l
will listen to the story some other
time"
mo; you shall hear 1t now" reiter-
ated the sick man, almost fiercely. II
loved her-met her-loved her in mo-
ment, before l had time to ask her
whether she had any affection to be-
stow upon me. She was disappointed.
and mssried me when she could not
wed him whom she adored. I wor-
SHIPPED her. and deemedsher as pure IS
the driven snow. She whispered in my
ear that she loved me; and !, fool like,
believed it. and accepted her caresses
and protestations, never dreaming that
woman loves silently the best and
kisses and Establishments are too often
an artful cloak to conceal base designs.
I was cozened and beguiled with soft,
honeyed words and fattering caresses.
I dreamt not all the while / was clasp
ing viper TO my bosom-you are not
listening to me!'
II am"
my family physician was young and
fascinating. He had free access to my
wife's society. He availed himself Of
it. and made her love for him . vehicle
to his own selfish passions. The world
guessed the truth. l knew nothing OF
my dishonor. for had faith in Evelyn.
My friends wondered At my blindness
and pitied me- But finally . note fell
in my hands; 1t opened my eyes-made
me feel wretched. I laid . snare fol-
my faithless wife and her raramour,
and slew him before her eyex She
went raving mad. Since that fearful
hour I have sworn VOW which / have
ever kept"
The invalid paused and glanced at
no with ferocity that caused feel.
iAS Of uneasiness to creep over me. 81
TOu can not guessT
''No"
II will tell you. Every year have
offered up . sacrifice on the altar OF my
vengeance. You must be the victim
new"
''You do not mean thatY"r...s
"Ha! ha! har' laughed tho sick man,
suddenly raising himself upon his feet.
while his eyes flashed like two balls of
fire. ''You think mo weak-you are
Uistaken. have the strength of Sam
son. You shall see"
As he said this. with one bound he |
varlted to the door, and deliberately
locked and bolted the door. And now |
the horrible truth flashed upon me that |
was with . madman, and that he had |
me completely and absolutely in his |
power. Confounded a was BY this |
sta:tling discovery, / endeavored to |
preserve my composuro.
Il am TO be your victim?"
Eyes; you can not escape mel" he
hissed. "You are . coward; I know i'll
see it in your eye! Call and shout to
The walls; they have ears and will
listen; every ono is asleep; no human
,ar can catch your cries; you are
locmed; ha! ha! hal"
Kong and loud the maniac laughed. I
el. the perilous situation WAS IN, ret
quailed not; every thing depsnded
lpcn my own courage and self-posses-
ioa. Quick - lightning dartad for
Vscd and caught up my walkinG-stic
= stout knotty weapon Of defense. i
early - hard - Iron. So
Come onl" I cried, denantly.i III
on wish to have . bout with ne. you
70 I an ready"
Tho maniac seized = chair and struck
{ ms wi.h all the superhumsu energy