New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-10

remember flung my arms around her, cry
ing out in very passion of love and pity, that
while I had her had everything. everything
that to purchase her happiness would gladly
die!
Then hold me close. Athena: do not let me
got" she spoke breathlessly, clinging TO me as If
in terror. while you are near me-
"A note for madame"
Julie. my mothers maid stood in the doorway,
disapproval in her hard, dark eyes.
"a voice from the pitr' said my mother,
laughing Historically. We'll, agent Of the devil,
what does your master want?"
Julie was handsome-tall. dark. imposing. In
the Reign OF Terror she might have led mob.
She stood before her mistress erect and calm,
holding out the note Ny mother put both
hands behind her and stepped back.
at shall not touch It. Julie"
"Is it. then to be returned. madame?"
Waltz cried my mother. IF only knew
what to do! Who it. Athena. that was pur-
sued by Death and the Devn?'
"Sintram, mamma"
Poor creaturel If I could but decide'-
Perhaps with a coin." suggested Julie
The very thing" Taking from her purse
1O-franc piece my mother called out: Heads.
Death! Tails, the Devflr' and tossed it high in
air.
1t fell with a soft rustic on the gay rug at her
feet She knelt to examine it. The glitter OF
fierce excitement cleaned in jules eyes. Slow
", very slowly, my mother rose, her face ghast-
Iy white. She stretched out her hand for the
letter.
go, Athena" she said
Yes but first let me kiss you, mamma"
mo. nor' she cried. shrinking back. Don't
touch me. don't come near me?'
Seeing that her nerves were on edge went
quietly away When. at midnight, a frightful
storm broke over the city, waking me, remem-
bered my mothers excited condition. and could
not sleep because of my anxiety until the noises
of the tempest died away. She breakfasted al
ways in her room. and when she failed to appear
at luncheon I believed that she was but taking
a much needed rest and felt no alarm. Neither
was my father uneasy until Julie, pale faced and
wild eyed. startled US.
1.-THE door Of the boudoir has been locked since
daybreak, monsieur" she cried, entering unan-
nounced Perhaps madame is tll?'
Fearing we knew not what, we hurried up
stairs. NV father knocked softly at the door.
"MilHcentr'
No answer In the silence could hear my
heart beat Again-knocking loudly, peremptor-
lily
.eNfirieent! Millicentl open the doorr' en-
MISUNDERSTANDING Then. to
the huddled group of frightened servants:
stand back, damn you! Can't you do some
thing besides stare? Athena. can you hear any
thing?"
shook my head
stand aside. then" he commanded, hoarsely,
and. driving his shoulder against the door. broke
it down II crashed, splintering. inward lie
covered his face with his hands Il can't do it,
he whispered and I entered. The atmosphere
was close. tainted with the odor Of a dying
night lamp. When. cropping my way to a win
and j
thought the room empty. But the arnoire had
fallen forward II was fiat upon the floor. its
door. the great mirror. showing 10 one side and
cracked from end TO end. I ran forward. strove
10 lift IT, The servants came TO my aid Under
meath lay my mother-dead
She wore travelling dress Beside her was
the small bag in which the emeralds were car
ried when we moFed. Some were in it. others
scattered about the floor Her right hand palm
outward. was pressed close against her mouth
When. tenderIy lifting the beautiful head, Pill
lowed il on my breast, her hand slipped aside
and I saw upon her lips the imprint Of the
ore ~ the many doctors. summoned IN vain
returned the next day 10 talk with mean old
man. with beetling eyebrows and name OF
s.TbT mother. dear child" he said. gently
had lost her mind. Had she lived she WOULD
have been parted from thee-always- Ihy sor-
row is then. truly blessing. See II was Ike
this The storm came She arose, imagining
she was 10 make a journey. she seeks her
fev-eIs-in the armoire. As she draws them
from the shelf she feels II totter, lifts her nanc
uuickly 10 push il back, butt falls! The hand
against the shelfs edge IS forced down upon her
face, and the ring All this IS the ring upon
thy small right hand? Is II perfnltted-yes =,
He drew IL from my finger. and. taking a sfna y.
rnagnifyfng glass from his pocket examined u
closely. ..,-g
flowed fast
The old man shook his head 49,
.saTots non rnafs nonr' he cried. with sudden
,,,,,9srso,,sness The Psyche wears putterhy
wings. while these He transferred ms f11e
moment then said quietly. This is-Neinesis'