Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-12-12


"a week, a fortnight, sped by, and
still the young couple evinced no desire
to discontinue their friendship. Au con-
traire, it was evident Bertha had fallen
violently in losa with her preux cheva.
lier, and he certainly appeared to recip-
rocate -
Bebe paused.
"And how did it all end?" asked
Don't be impatient We are coming
TO the denouement. He was invited to
what you call put up with the house
hold during his stay. He consented.
One morning, when the household as
sembled, the visitor was missing.''
"Gone?''
"Gone. like thief in the night.
''The cad, F." protested
Monsieur is an actor, :" she hazarded
and continued: "The result of his exodus
caused some little alarm, but as Bertha
appeared to ignore the subject it was
dropped by general consent, though it
was evident. even to the casual observ-
er, that she felt the slight keenly.'
Naturally"
= Permit me to finish the story. Three
days after Bertha had disappeared ALSO
Her absence was not noticed till the
evening. The first train to Paris brought
monsieur and madame, and naturally the
morgue was the first place visited.
Helas, their worst fears were realized!
There, revealed to public gaze, peaceful
in death, was-Berthap'
At this point Bebe was evidently
struggling against the emotion that
manifested itself.
Madame, your story
'sHear me out!' she calculated. ''The
body had been found in that receptacle
of misery-the Seine. Whatever doubts
existed as to having met her death by
foul play were dispelled by the follow
ing note. give you the translation:
''To MY DEAR PARENrs-Iha have sought conso-
lation in oblivion. Forgive your erring child
stBERTHA.''
''The profigate!" I cried, fully alive
to the mans unmitigated villainy.
Nay, hear me out. The sister re-
ferred to in the letter returned to As
nieres month later, but the shock to
the old people had been too much, and
ere long they were conveyed to Pere la
Chaise. Now, there was only one course
open to the surviving daughter-re-
vengep'
Exactly, but did you discover your
man? What proofs had you?"
Simply a photograph of the man as
Hamlet, which he had given to Bertha,
but registered VOW 1 would traverse
the continent-aye, the world itself
till l had discovered the destroyer of
my family %
Again Bebe's emotions interfered
with her utterance, and she looked as if
she were going to swoon. sprang for
ward.
s'Be seated" she said authoritatively.
I began to wish myself some miles
from Treverton.
She paused moment and then re-
gained her composure.
''My story is almost finished / am
Bertha's sisterr'
''You?''
81, Bebe!"
Here she drew herself up to her full
height, and her eyes positively blazed
with indignation. Crossing the room,
she clutched me by the collar and hissed:
''You are her murdererl'
Then, releasing me, she sank back ex-
hausted.
My first idea was to escape, but ere I
could put the plan into execution she
continued:
81 have prayed for this night to
come
am fain to confess did not coincide
with her devotional past wishes.
"But surely, madame, you cannot con-
meet me with this villain?''
''No connection is necessary. You are
the man. With this photograph in my
pocket have visited nearly every thea
ter in England. Early in the present
week took a box at the Theater Royal.
You played Hamlet. The moment you
stepped on the stage I was convinced
you were the man. My one object was
to get you in my power. I have succeed
ed. -
But" I urged, ''this is madness.
Any other actor might be selected as
your victim simply because he played
the unfortunate prince of Denmark. -
''Pests! told you have prepared an
entree with my own hands, Remove the
dish. "
/ instinctively raised the cover from
the salver, and there, revealed to view,
were a couple Of revolvers. Heavens,
here was predicament to be placed in!
l rushed to the door. 1t was fastened.
"Come," she cried hysterically, "you
do not fear? It is the old story of re-
venge ChooseW
AS she proffered the revolvers there
was an air of determination about my
lady that certainly BODIED i'll for me.
Cannot this be settled some other
way?" 1 asked.
'Emphatically no. 1t is duel to the
deathp'
By this time my opponent had de-
tached a diamond necklace that sur
rounded her neck, and unfastening her
dress displayed her bosom.
IOu S0o, eIu uOu oil 1ee1u' ShO
gasped hoarsely.
Madame" said, "this is serious
matter. assure you know nothing of
your sister, orr
In another moment she pushed the
weapon into my hand.
''We fire across the table. Will you
count?'
''Nor' I exclaimed as cheerfully as
could be expected of a man who expects
to either be shot-or hanged.
''Then I will give the signal. -
I may not be written down as brave,
but looked hopefully toward the door.
care you ready?
'Onel
"IWo!
''ThreeP'
Clickl There was no report.
At this point the door was burst vio-
lently open, and three men entered.
Her attention was at once diverted from
me to them.
In less time than it takes to write
Bebe was secured and conveyed down
stairs, where nurse and a determined
looking man were in waiting. She was
guarded by the company till the follow
ing morning, when she was seen by
surgeon and magistrate, and on their
certificates transferred to La Belle