Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-01-30
NUMBER THIRTEEN.

When Mime. Nernes granddaurhtpr Hortense was betrothed to M. Moran. 1t became necessary to celebrate the occasion by q little family supper. But when Mime. Verne had counted them ati, she found to her horror, that they numbered thirteen. She be- thought her to invite Nj. Roden. the cure, who had christened little Hor, tense
 So NJ. Roden was invited. and all went well until two days before the supper, when an unmportant young cousin bethought him to break limb, ana reduce the party again to thir- teen.
 The time WIS short. but madame made the best of it. She invited the music teacher, who accepted with dc. light. Matters were arranged once more, when q message came to JTnele tlerre which demanded his presence | elsewhere
 Again there were thirteen guests. and but half q day remaining. Mime. Verne was equal 10 the emergency. She sent note to q deaf gentleman or her acquaintance, begging him to come. And how all was well again.
 The ladies were adding the finishing touches to their toilettes in the dress Ing room, when suddenly screams were heard 10 resound through the house.
 The maiden aunt, AEile Rosine. had caught her dress on fire. It was ex- tinguished before she was hurt: but the dress was spoiled, her nerves up- set, and she could not and would not remain to the supper.
 Mme Verne was in despair Sud denly she remembered her notary. carriage was at the door. She tossed on hood and shawl and hurried in- to it.
 1t was only five minutes ride to the building in which the notary's office was located-a many-storied edi- flee, Of which he occupied the second floor
 On the first were situated the apart ments of Af. Moran-H -Hortense,s be- trethed husband. As she hurried past their door Mme. Verne glanced toward them and SAW q lady dressed i'll black speaking to q servant. who, at the same instant, shut the door in her face.
 Mime. Verne, having mounted the staifs was doomed to disappoint- ment The notary was in, but he was suffering from an attack of the gout. TiaHaYer he could give her the direc- ton, to quortohzieme, who, if he was disengaged, would be happy to hire himself out for supper time.
 Ks she reached the foot of the stairs, however, she paused. A woman, dressed in black, sat upon the lower 1 ona. rocking herself to and fro and moaning. She touched the figure upon Is shoulder and said: My poor child, wbat is the matterY
 T have come from the country; am an orphan. I have 10 relatives; came to lind friend who promised me everything; I know no one here. Yesterday I spent my last sou Is there anything f2r me but the river? Suddenly Ill idea flashed upon the madame's mind.
 'A least you shall earn your sup. per- she said Come with me"
 Sbe hurried the girl into the carriage and drove away with her, explaining as they rode the emergency in which she found herself.
 'fYou will wear a dress of my grand daughters, she said. "A black lace which may he thrown over your own.
 And with these words she led the girl into her home upstairs into her own apartment, where she adorned her in haste and led her out to the table the loyliest guest there-loylier far even than the golden-haircd Hortense. Absorbed in her duties as hostess, Madame Verne did not notice, as the others did, q strange thing that took place as M. Moran seated himself and glanced toward the strange guest. As their eyes met each turned deadly pale, and each seemed to find it impossible to look away.
 Once only did the strange girl speak In whisper to Nm. Verne.
 'This is q betrothal feast, madameY
 ''Yes, my child"
 Your granddaughter, the beautiful young lady wonder, Is to marry M. Octave MoranY
 'Precisely; in two months'
 After this she said nothing more.
 At last they were about to leave the table, and the old grandfather arose. He had something to say to the young couple-kind admonitions to him who was about to take her into his keep ing; but he ended thus:
 "But I give her to you gladly, my dear Octave, for I know you to be an honorable man; and l believe you will give her a heart as pure and fresh and all unwritten as the one she gives to you, heart worthy of heracceptance."
 As he uttered the last sentence Oc- tave Moran had slowly turned his face, as though attracted by some mesmerlc influence, toward the stranger Their eyes had met and fixed in strange stare; the other guests were all star ing at them.
 Suddenly Octave Moran started to his feet and dashed out of the room. 1 There were thirteen at the table.
 Something flashed into the hand of the pale woman, at whom all gazed and she fell forward upon the table.
 When they lifted her they found dagger buried in her heart.
 Death had been more prompt with his thirteen than usual.
 They found over her dead bosom that night q miniature of Octave Moran, Il lock of his hair, and little golden tress soft as down. and in her pocket some letters That was all; but Hor- 1 tense never married NJ. Moran.