New-York tribune., 1896-11-22


bound gaze the figure of man IN evenme
dress advanced soundess!y. His back was low
ord Nrs Noel as he stepped softly TO the sllie
NJ the sleeping girl He bent over her. ms
slender iewelled hands lifted one OF the sa''"
pillows. sor,o
what was he about to do? Did he mean some
caressing arrangement of those pillows 'o' '"0
comfort Of that fair head! An,
The sIeeper stirred. The bending man, s'ii
holding the pillow. glanced across MS s'lou,0e''
thus turning his beautiful. evil face 10 'he hoi
ror-stricken onlooker, and in those cruel paie
eyes his purpose was written-murder'
A cry. shrill with terror, interrupted the nuei'
amenities of Rosine and the house-ase"'' DO 'e
fitted the kew into the outer door of the apart
ment Aghast they paused.
There was q rush of flying feet along the lhher
corridor, and a heavy fall. ~
"Open. imbecile." Rosine cried wildly -""-
dame madame"
The frightened agent flung wide the door, ana
Rosine dropped on her knees beside the iiia'
mate body Of her mistress
Neither terror nor anguish can long suspc"o
the intense consciousness Of such temperahen'
as Mrs. Noers
With strange regard her haggard eyes stareo
I'D presently at Rosine and the concierge "no'i'
the agent had hurredly summoned
"I was tired and tainted" she murmured I'M
patiently to their eager questions
Pardon madame screamed?'
Nrs Noel frowned and closed her eyes again.
"a fancy. / was haf-asleep-a bad dream.
She sat upright resoutely in the chair where
they had placed her. and smiled a pretty per
functory smile.
"a woman's nerves are not 70 De eNpiaineu'
Are they. Madame la Concierge?" she said 70
that stout parsonage. who was yet prea'lileSS
from her run UP two flights Of stairs you
have handsome ap irtment mere uhue' ''"'
care
81 hope Madame will not allow her lrlsht |"
prejudice her against it,
II will try to forget 1t, and the apartment
pleases me. especially the smaller salon. when
would make charming boudoir'
Madame la Comtesse always sat there IL
was rofurnished according to her orders.
She was fair, dare say, to choose so mucn
blue"
Fair as n lily"
"Why did she leave?'
"She died Madame
"Ah yes Suddenly?'
"Of heart disease. poor. lovely angel! But
Madame has doubtless heard the story?
"Partly I-r'- Mrs. Noel rose, shivering
"Will you give me your arm to my carriage
Monsieur" she said to the agent
Despite protestations that she could not yet
he strong enough for such exertion. she walked
downstairs.
"Why should I ask her name? she repeated
TO herself with every feeble step. Il dreamed
perhaps or. If this horrible vision was the
truth am no avcnger of innocent blood. am
a timid woman. | am afraid.
She entered the brougham while Rosine u.s.
tened to the agents regrets concerning Ma
DANES indisposition.
Madame" the maid exclaimed as they drove
away 1T Is small world. is it not? Even
this great Paris? The young Comtesse who
died in that apartment two years ago was the
wife Of the Comte Rufski. who, Marie writes
me- is staying in the house in Scotland where
Mile Laura now visits.
During long moment life seemed slipping
from Mrs. Noers hold. But she clung fast to IT.
Now did she krow why she had been per-
mitted to behold that vision OF a tragedy over
which the grave had closed
God meant her to her child. Nor would
she fail His marvellous mercy-not though her
flesh shuddcreG and her blood grew cold with
horror Of what had been and terror Of what
might be