St. Landry democrat., 1893-11-04
ould be done for him was to send for


priess.
the man presented, stretched full length
in the bed, a large and powerfully built
man, his hair tangled and matted over
his eyes, his massive frame shaking with
agony.
81 suspected suicide, and we searched
the room for some evidence of the case,
but discovered nothing to show an at
tempt at sclf-destruction. | ordered
Heinrich to bring some brandy and with
great difficulty the poor fellow swal-
lowed it. For a moment he ceased to
toss in pain-slowly he opened his great
black eyes--and waving his hand TO
Heinrich to leave the room, spoke or
rather gaspe1 out, as follows:
"'Oh, Father, | am glad you arc
here. | have much to say to you. Are
we alone?'
"Ics,' said, assuringly.
We'll, said he, while his eyes gave
out q most uncarthly glare, L am a
hunted man, hunted by visions Of her
who fell by my hand. am murderer
"a double murderer. Ten years ago |
was leading actor at the Royal Theatre
at 1auau--the favoritc of the grand duke
and the star in the Rhine Provinces
Tell me your name, my SON, said
Not yet, good father-not yet At
llanau | fell in love with girl attached
to the thcatrc-she was as pure as an
Anglican orphan. Her father having
l.;
death the company at the theatre adopted
Ler, and she was making rapid strides
towards proud position in the profess
sion when first met her.
"'Wc acted many nights together
She played Juliet to my Romeo, Goethc'S
heroine Margaret to my Faust. Well,
father, this artess, pure child won my
heart, and she loved me too-She told
me so.
"'We had arranged secretly to be-
come man and wife on her reaching
twenty. She was not yet nineteen.
My professional duties took me to
Cologne. During my absence her letters
were loving and trustful.
" I was happy then.
1.-The very secret of our love, for no
one knew of our attachment, was in itself
a charm, and I thought with pride Of the
hour when | could present the darling
girl before the world as my wife,
Gone day while at Cologne | re-
ccivcd letter from Lena, fer that was
her name, in which she spoke Of the
great success of a play written By very
young officer of Dragons at Coblentz; |
that. as her acting had contributed SO
much to the general success, the young
lieutenant desired to present her with e
bracelet, and she wished to know if |
had any objections to her receiving it.
~ consented that she should accept !
it, though at the time | had some mis-
giving> as to the propriety of the act
From that hour it seemed as if she !
had changed in her feelings towards me.
Her letters grew less frequent, and the !
pure and tender tone formerly SO !
characteristic of her nature seemed !
christmas was approaching, and l
had promised myself the pleasure of
spending that day with Lena. l com
municatcd my intention to her Her
reply to my letter suggested that it was
a long journey to make, and that she
had new part to study, and it did not
in fact express the least desire to see
me.
The coldncSs of her letter stung
ne. felt that another had taken my
place in her affections.
That night paced my room al
most frantic with jealousy. | threw
myself on the bed on y to rise again.
for sleep had lcsclt", me. That night
made avow that, should my suspicion
rove true, | would kill Ter: aud is day
light appeared through my windows, /
repeated my oath, that she should die,
md by my hand. +
"'Un Christmas eve, under pre;Cn
If q desire for study and privacy, tod
ny landlord that would keep my room
or a day or two, and did not wish to he
disturbed. | ordered some biscuits and
few bottles Of wine to be sent to NV
apartment.
{" THE moment the waiter left my
DOM, hastily put on my di,gu;sc-I
havcd off my mou>tachc, put on brown
Wig, and as my professional skill came
o my aid, was completely mctamor-
'ho ,cl. | then locked the door. and
a ming the street, at once made for the
aiway station.
81 was Just in time to take the train
or Coblentz.
My companions in the third class
Compartment were farmers and cattle
aisers, who had been at Cologne making
purchases for their Christmas holiday,
nd their simple merrimcnt and happy
made my poor heart sink ,
thin me.
"'The honest people were joyous and s
Apply, while sat there a miserable,
cart broken man, with premcditatcI {
lurdcr on my soul
"Just as they were lighting the lamps {
stepped from the train i'll the station at a
ohlentZ. +
"'At the same moment several military +
Ulcers alighted from the first class car +
ages, among them tall, handsome +
Dung cavalry man. |
80 In tinctively felt that this man +
as my rival. ,,
AT once mounting the horses held +
wait for them by their crdcrlies, these Y
Ulcers rode away. e
My curses followed them, and +
arcely knowing why | did 50, | saun- h
red towards ''Bicrhalc' and entered s
The walters, to whom | was well h
nown, never suspected that in the sad
oking, heavy laden man | then pre-
nted, was concealed the favorte actor
the Rhine provinces. Calling for