Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-10-16

Dreadful sight The two old people
were gagged, while blood stained the
snowy Counterpart.
Amy flew upstairs, and alarmed the
servants; presently the whole house was
in connection The gags were taken out,
the servants sent to inspect the house, and
Amy and the Laportes left alone.
Where are you hurt" Shall we send
for doctor? Oh, this fearful night
sobbed Amy
I'VE were only gagged" said the old
man, as soon as he could recover the use
of his tongue II staggered and wrench
ed the flesh off with this ring from the
hand of the miserable robber.
That is his blood. He made off with his
booty but here is the ring; by this we
may recognize him, and bring him to
justice.
Amy gave one cry us she saw the ring
a cry that told the anguish of her soul
it was Auguste's seal ring.
''Oh, father!" she sobbed, her face burr
ed in the pillow; Father! father" There
was not sound, not word spoken. Both
parents knew that ling.
Amy, said the old man, family, some
moments after.
She looked up.
"Adsolute silence! Do you under
stands"
She bowed her head in the pillow again.
The faces of that old couple-it terrified
her to see the agony of them.
- bsolute silence the words rang in
her brain. And he she had so loved
loved madly yet-was whatf She dared
not whisper to herself.
We pass over the period of Auguste S
absence. 1t was sad, sad household
The old folks seemed aged by ten years,
and seldom spoke or smiled in their trou.
BILE. They were literally bowed down with
grief.
Noone looked for it, but Auguste came
home, Amy fled from his piesence his
father and mother shuddered at his frank
voice, his caresses.
what has happened-what has altered
you SOP" he asked.
"Where is Amy?"
1t was only from the tongue of the
servants that he heard what they knew of
the robbery. Then he sent for Amy; and
the girl, moro wretched than she could
tell, came slowly down stairs, the ghost of
her former self
Amy, you too, so altered" he said,
and he seized her cold hand with all the
passionate ardor of a lover. Tell me the
reason of this strange welcome-what am
to think?'
"Auguste, " said Amy, lifting her tear
fll eyes, Somebody whom we know
somebody whom we love, came to this
house on the night of your departure, and
took a thousand pounds from your father S
strong box"
80 heard. But, good heavens! why
not set detectives to work? Stop, you said
somebody you knew. My God Can it be
possible Somebody you knew, Amy?"
Yes Oh, Auguste" and with a wild
cry she recoiled, for she perceived the alb
sence of the ring.
Great heavens, are you all mad!' he
asked.
THE ring, Auguste-where is the seal
ring?'
He looked at his little finger, then at
her, murmuring, The ring"
"0h, Auguste, they have got it upstairs.
Don't let them know | told you; they
wrenched it FROM the robbers hand
He turned pale; then ne drew the un
willing Amy toward him
Can it be possible" he murinured
THAT you-suspect-no no it is too horri-
bic. Listen Amy. can unravel this
Mystery see 1t all. | have a cousin,
whose name is never mentioned. He has
disgraced us. His face is fatally like
mine-we have been taken for each other,
am sorry to say. That ring was his. On the
payment of a debt he was to claim il
again The morning left you ! went by
appointment to meet him. He paid me
the amount of his Indebtedness gave
him the ring
Amy uttered a little scream and chung tc
his hand.
The villain repaid me well 1t was tc
get him out of disgrace that left home
no one knew of it--not even my parents
Ii was enough that his conduct in his own
country had excited us. And you. Amy
you to believe"
'TOh, forgive me, Angustei How could
know? Even your parents were sure II
was you, and so have been silent. y
Ten thousands fends!'' cried Auguste
under his breath. Come with me-
must tell them; and as for that scoundrel
no one shall screen him now!"
II transpired afterward that the guilty
cousin had an accompice in the children :
nurse, who still lived in the house though
serving in another capacity. She had
learned that Mr.. Laporte had received the
money and communicated the knowledge
to him.
The matter was hustled up: but the
money, though the efforts of the detec
tives, was recovered.
As for Auguste and Amv their mar.
riage took place long befor he SIX
months bad expired