Year: 1868

In the summer of 49,, towards the
close of a sultry day-one of those days
during which the very air stands still, re-
fusing to breathe, sat at my window
and vainly endeavored to cool myself of
with the aid of a palm-leaf fan.


Various thoughts were running through
my brain, foremost among which was the
singular conduct Of the young couple who
occupied the first floor of the opposite
house. had noticed them frequently and
formed my own ideas as to their history,
which is generally the mutual amusement
OF opposite neighbors. But that night,
they, like myself, were endeavoring to
catch a breath of air, and both windows
being open, could see everything in the
room with perfect distinctness.


1t was large square room with an al
cove at one side, where supposed the bed
to be, though could not see it. Directly
opposite my window was a looking glass,
which nearly occupied third of the wall
at the end of the room, and as bright
light shone from the pendant chandelier
1t gave the appearance of two apartments.


AS said before, my attention was first
attracted by the singular conduct of the
couple. The lady was, if might Judge
from the partial glimpses l got of her, quite
young She was of about medium height,
with dark hair and eyes, very small, and
always dressed in white.


The husband, as l supposed him to be,
was about twenty-eight; very tall and
handsome, with dark hair and eyes, clear
olive complexion, and heavy black
moustache, through which cleaned the
whitest of teeth. He was home great,
deal during the day, and was evidently
very much beloved by the lady, as / could
distinctly see. She was always caressing
him and fondly leaning over his chair or
sitting on foot.stool at his feet, could
see the lips move in speech, and fancied
knew the endearing terms used as she
smilingly looked up at him.


l had formed a pretty little conceit about
the domestic bliss of the couple until the
conduct of the lady made rather an un-
pleasant inroad upon it few days before
the evening which particularly mention
l had been the pleasant witness of the
usual domestic picture. The gentleman
sat in front of the looking-glass with his
back towards the window, and the lady sat
at his feet. For long time they seemed
to be conversing ordinarily until suddenly
the lady rose to her feet, put her hands to
her head, and drawing out the comb
which confined her dark hair in large
mass, let the coil unwind itself I never
saw such beautiful hair. With one sweep
of her hand she flung the rippling mass
over her face like veil, and fell upon her
knees. Something in the attitude must
have spoken to the gentleman, for he rose
angrily, bent over her kneeling figure,
and could see his dark face flash,
While his lips seemed Kissing words into
her ears. Lower and lower she bent, as
the words came quick and fast. / could
see his hands clenched, and the face which
had thought handsome in repose, looked
like the face of demon. / rose, almost
breathless from excitment, not knowing
what would come next But l had no
cause for alarm. The gentleman drew
something from his bosom, what it was
could not see, and held it towards her. 1t
must have been something very small, for
it was hid in the hollow of his hand. But,
whatever it was, it had a potent effect
upon the lady. She flung back the hair
from her face, showing a countenance
ghastly in its paleness, and as could see,
bathed in tears. Reaching out her arms,
she seemed TO beg and plead for something,
almost clutching his limbs in the intensity
of her emotion. At last he seemed to re-
lent and grew more calm as she continued
her passionate supplication. could see
his form tremble, and turn aside to con-
ceal the agitation. Her lips continued to
move quickly, and at last her words did
their work for he turned, held out his
arms, and she, with cry which could
distinctly hear, flung herself upon his
bosom.


confess I breathed sigh Of intense
relief at the termination of the domestic
pantomime, and ever since / have beer
racking my brain for a solution of The
mystery.


During the day everything went ON a,
usual / saw nothing Of the lady. bnt baf
frequently seen the gentleman pass in anf
out with a repose of countenanca on,
would little expect after witnessing III,
dreadful scene of passion. This axpiana
tion will be sufficient to give an insieh
into the singular conduct of the couple
II was evident there was some great mys
terry, not unmixed with guilt, and m,
woman's curiosity may be pardoned fol
undertaking the task Of its unravelment.


Nothing, however, of any consequence,
occurred, and, although nearly q weel
passed, / was no nearer the end, until thu
sultry night / speak Of showed me tn,
windows were open and the room lit up II
its accustomed brilliancy.


While looked with newly awakened
curiosity, saw the gentleman cross the
room 70 the aleove and disappear for I
moment But only for a moment
He almost instantly emerged will
q vial Of some liquid, walked 70 thu
centre table directly under the chandelier
poured few drops into a glass, which
gilstened like molten lrubies as he slowly
counted them out laid the vial upon thu
table and seemed 70 listen, with his fac
half turned towards the alcoye. Evident
ly satisfied that all was right, he took
small powder of something from his breas
pocket and emptied its contents into tn
rlaes nnnlh nlainlu nan hia fnno "a Al