Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-10-17


All his friends are tired out watching
with him. l don't like to leave the
poor fellow alone, for hardly expect
he'll last the night through. All you've
got to do Is to keep an eye on him now
and then when he dies Just let w
know"
imagined at that moment the INN
keepers face bore rather singular ex-
preston. wondered at 1T then, but
understood better before two hours had
passed.
Whom I dispatched my supper, was
shown into the sick mans chamber, and
Boniface, after few instructions to me,
babe me good evening and left me there.
The apartment was of ordinary size
and situated in wing of the building
where the noise and hustle would not
modest the invalid. The furniture was
in the usual style; but there was some
thing very familiar in a portrait that
attracted my attention, for, after cast.
ing glance at the sick man, who lay
muffled up in bed and breathing heavily
my eye involuntarily turned to the pic
ture again.
1t was the portrait of young and
beautiful female that had barely
reached her sixteenth year, the face
beaming with the innocent vivacity of
girlhood, and the eyes sparkling with a
wonderful degree of light and intelli-
gence.
Riveted there by an unaccountable
and mysterious fascination, stood gaz-
ing at the lovely embodiment, almost
expecting the face to glow with ANNA
ton, the lips to part and speak, when
was startled as clear, musical voice
observed: "a beautiful picture, that"
turned round to discover, with nc
small degree of establishment, that the
sick man had partially raised himself tc
a sitting posture, and was also contem
plating the lovely portrait with as much
earnestness as myself.
The invalid, despite the ravages o.
disease, which showed itself in his hol
low eyes and attenuated frame, was ar
uncommonly handsome man; his feat
ures bore the impress of aristocratic
lineage, and his finely chiseled nose an(
mouth expressed strong passions ant
uncomfortable will.
"You feel BETTER" l said, recovering
from my surprise.
He waved his hand impatiently.
'You have not answered my question
The picture-the picture; what do yo
think of it?'
pardon me, sir. 1t is beautifulw
"You have no idea of the originate"
"None, sir"
ut is the portrait" replied the sic
man, speaking slowly and deliberately
and fastening upon me his black, gilt
tering eye-'it is the portrait of m
dearest wife"
"Your wife" repeated.
"My wife, Evelyn St Croix," pursue
the sick man. "Do you notice her eye?
II do"
"a strange, unearthly expression; tn
artist was true to nature. She was ma
when he painted her; she died ravin
mad"
: what dreadful fate for one 6
Youngp'
listen; she deserved it, Evelyn S
Croix was beautiful, but she was wea
and vain; she was graceful as a nympl
but false-false as hell"
The sick man fell back on his pillow
exhausted by the violence of his exc
tons; then, after few moments, /
. raised himself again and muttere
] hoarsely: 'Tt affects me, the remen
brance of her perfdy. 1t sometime
D makes me wild and delirious. Sto
you shall hear aboutit-the story of n
wrongs and sufferings."
1 "You are too weak; it excites you.
9 will listen to the story some 9th
g time"
mo; you shall hear it now" reite
q ated the sick man, almost fercely.
Q loved her--met her-loved her in a m
o ment, before l had time to ask h
whether she had any affection to b
l stow upon me- She was disappointe
u and married me when she could n
Z, wed him whom she adored. | VIC
o SHIPPED her, and deemed her as pure
o the driven snow. She whispered in n
Q ear that she loved me; and /, fool lik
l, believed it, and accepted her caress
l. and protestations, never dreaming tn
T. woman loves silently the best, al
II kisses and Establishments are too oft
an artful cloak to conceal base design
r, was cozened and beguiled with so
y honeyed words and flattering caressC
e. dreamt not all the while l was elias
IS ing viper to my bosom-you are n
I'd listening to mel"
81 am"
"My family physician was young a
fascinating. He had free access to I
wife's society. He availed himself
it, and made her love for him vehiC
to his own selfish passions. The wol
guessed the truth. knew nothing
my dishonor, for / had faith in Evely
: My friends wondered at my blindnt
" and pitied me. But finally note Fl
=, in my hands; it opened my eyes-ma
a me feel wretched. l laid snare
n my faithless wife and her paramo
Ri and slew him before her eyes. s
III went raving mad. Since that fear
III hour l have sworn vow which l ha
Hi ever kept"
II The invalid paused and glanced
me with ferocity that caused fe
vi ing of uneasiness to creep over me.
I'LL | 'EVou can not uueSSon