Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-09-12

was very stin,-sometime the nigKten.i
gales broke into Il bubbling torrent Of
melody and then were suddenly silent,
as though overawed by the shadows Of
the heavy interlacing boughs, through
which the moonlight f1ickered, casting
strange and fantastic patterns on the
ground. A cloud Of lucciole broke from
n thicket of laurel and sparkled In the
air like gems loosened from a queens
crown. Faint odors floated about me.
shaken from orange boughs and trail
ing branches Of white jessamine. I
FASTENED on, my spirits rising higher
the nearer I approached my destina-
ton. was full of sweet anticipation
and passionate longing,-I learned to
clasp my beloved Nina in my arms
to see her lovely hlstrous eyes looking
fondly into mine;-I was eager to shake
Guido by the hand,-and us for Stella,
knew the child would be in bed at
that hour, but still, thought, must
have her Weakened to see ME; felt
that my happiness would not be COM
plete till had kissed her little cherub
face. and caressed those clustering
curls of hers that We're like spun gold.
....... .Hush-hush! What was that?
[ stopped in my rapid progress as
though suddenly checked by an invis-
ible hand. I listened with strained
ears. That sound, was it not
a ripping peal Of gay laughter? A
shiver shook me from head to foot.
1t was my wife's Taught knew the
silvery chime Of it well! My heart
sank coldly. paused irresolutely. She
could laugh then like that when she
thought me lying dead-dead and out
of her. reach forever! All at once
perceived the glimmer Of a white robe
through the trees; obeying my own
impulse 1 stepped softly aside,-I hid
behind a dense screen of foliage
through which could see without be-
ing seen. The clear laugh rang out
once again on the stillness-its bright
ness pierced my brain like a sharp
sword! She was happy, she
was even merry, she wan
dered here in the moonlight joyous
hearted-while II had expected to
find her close shut within her room,
or else heeling before the Mater
Dolorosa in the little chapel, praying
for my souls rest, and mingling her
prayers with her tears! Yes,
l had expected this,-we men are such
fools when we love women! Suddenly
a terrible thought struck me. Had she
gone mad? Had the shock and grief OF
my SO unexpected death turned her
delicate brain? Was she roaming about,
poor child, like Ophelia, knowing not
whittier she went, and was her appar-
ent gaiety the fantastic mirth tf i dis
ordered brain? shuddercd ut the
idea--and bending Slightly apart the
boughs behind which l was sccreted
l looked out anxiously. Two figures
We're slowly approaching my wife and
my friend Guido Ferrari. Well
There was nothing in that-it as as
1t should be Was not Guido as
my brother? , it was almost
his duty to console and cheer Nina az
much as lay in his power . But
stay! stay! did see
arlght?-she was simply leaning on his
arm for supporter a fierce
oath, that was almost a cry of torture,
broke from my lips! Oh, would to God
l had died! Would to God had never
broken open the coffin in which lay at
peace! What was death-what were
the horrors Of the vault-what was
anything had suffered to the anguish
that racked me now? The memory of
!t TO tnls day burns in my brain like
1nextinguishable fire. and my hand in
voluntarily clenohes itself in an effort
to beat back the furious bitterness of
that moment! I know not how I re-
strained the murderous ferocity that
aWoke within mellow forced myself
to remain motionless and silent In my
hiding place. But did, watched the
miserable comedy out to it's end. I
looked dumbly on at my own betrayal!
l saw my honor stabbed to the death
by those whom 1 trusted, and yet I
gave no sign! They-Guido Ferrari
and my wife-came so close to my
hiding place that could note every ges-
ture and hear every word they uttered.
They paused within three steps Of me
his arm encircled her WASHERS was
thrown carelessly around his neck her
head rested ON his shoulder.