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 off
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 breath of air, and both windows
being open, could see everything in the
room with perfect distinctness.


1t was a 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 looking-glass,
which nearly occupied a third of the wall
at the end of the room, and as bright
light shone from the pendant chandelier
it gave the appearance of two apartments.


AS I said before, my attention was first
attracted by the singular conduct of the
couple. The lady was, if might judge
from the partial glimpses got of her, quite
younR. OuC was Vi dUOQb uCQluln
with dark hair and eyes, very small, and
always dressed in white.


The husband, as 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
swhitest of teeth. He was home great
deal during the day, and was evidently
very much beloved by the lady, as l could
distinctly see. She was always caressing
hhn and fondly leaning over his chair or
sitting on foot stool at his feet. could
see the lips move in speech, and fancied I
knew the endearing terms used as she
smilingly looked up at him.


| had formed 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.
had been the pleasant witness of the
usual domestic picture. The gentleman
sat front of the looking-glass with his
back towards the window, and the lady sat
at his feet Fer 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 never
saw such beautiful hair With one sweep
of her hand she flung the ripping mass
over her face like veil, and fell upon hel
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
I had thought handsome in repose. looked
like the face of demon. rose, almost
breathless from excitment, not knowing
what would come next. But / had nc
cause for alarm. The gentleman drew
something from his bosom, what it was
could not see, and held it towards her. i
must have been something very small, fol
it was hid in the hollow of his hand. But
whatever it was, it had potent effec
upon the lady. She flung back the hail
from her face, showing a countenanct
CHASTITY in its paleness, apd 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 set
his form tremble, and turn aside to con
ceal the agitation. Her lips continued t
move quickly, and at last her words die