Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1879 — A COMPANION'S STORY. [ARTICLE]

A COMPANION'S STORY.

■*" Had l then my own mistress I should never have served Marie Reals. Bat poverty, the need of food and raiment, the hungry mouths that must be filled, were too strong for me, and I engaged myself to her. ‘‘You are poor, Louise,” she said, with s slight Fre □oh aocent. “Money is of no aeoouut to me—l only ask you to be ftdthfol. I said that I should travel; so you must supply your brother's and sister's vants before we go I shall be liberal with you. 'Take tula.” As she spoke, she reached out six or eight half-eagles. I drew back my hand. “It is too much,” I said. “Allow me to be the judge of that. I know what will of you.” A little chill ran over me. What would be required ot me? 1 looked up, to see, If possible, what meaning lay hidden beneath her words. •*I shall travel as saucy pleases,” she oontinued. “One spot is as pleasant to me as another. Igo in search of something which I have lost. It may be here, it may be there. I have nothing to guide me in my search. It is all blind chance.” At first I was not happy in my migratory life. I used to long for home—or what bad been home —and for the caresses *of those I loved. But this did not last long. Marie Koeis soon grew to be the world to me, and I her bond Mams. - Sometimes we rested-rtwo or three weeks from our travels, and then went forward, day after day and week after week, without stopping. I do not know how long I had been with her, when I discovered that we were not traveling alone—that we had a follower. who pursued us from place to place with unwavering persistence. He did not seem to be conscious of us. He never addressed us—he only followed us like a shadow. It was after the stranger came that I learned what madame was searching for. A ring that had mysterously dis- ' appeared from her finger one night while she was sleeping. A strange ring, with a garnet heart for its cen-ter—-all that she had left of Monsieur Itaste. I glanced at her in surprise. ’“Was It your wedding ring?'’ “Better than that. Monsieur Rosis gave it to me while he was dyiug. He came back to life to give it to me— Just as we turn back when we have forgotten something.” * “He gave it to me, and sa»d that a curse would follow me if I lost it. I did not loose it—it went away from nqptJmt I am not happy, Monsieur Roe is was very hard.” “But you are not to blame for what you could not help.” “AhTbutif a,lover took it?V she said, shaking her head slowly, “rhad fallen asleep in the drawing-room—the day was warm. When I awoke Monsieur's heart was gone, and the air full of shadows. I have been searching ever since for it.” She began pacing up- and down the room. We were stopping for a week at a hotel in a large inland town. This conversation had been carried on in the parlor, a long, wiae room, looking westward. As madam walked. I thougnt 1 had never seen her half so boautifoL While she went to and sro restlessly, the stranger came noiselessly in and walked beside her. She did not notice him but looked straight out of the window to the green trees and beyond them to tite wide sunset. For myself I grew angrv and heated at the stranger’s boldness. If he had anything u> say to her why did he not speak? What right had he to dog her •ceps so persUtenly? At least 1 would tell madame. As I started forward to speak, the strange gentleman raised his hand to U m forehead and I saw something on it that glowed blood-red in the sun hg ht . i looked at it eageriy and saw the *..ape of a heart ocained on the slender finger. *My heart bounded. Here was the lover uiathad , t>fr* 0r 'jifljL WUHfjXiaKei* JCHI 80 fwwi BKM i ne genueoiaa t>e»iae '.you.” . - ■ j||Jt strauge genttemto walked with 1 frjrf g| mV. rw4 ~"T Lm mitaWl riivtr'ffirwr % IT JrT'"* It * '•*'

and SB me closely to her bird., flower*, fruit and*wdvety grreu’ sward. In spite of eYerythlng l was will soon have a long rest,” said madame as we whirled along. “You shall hear from the brother and sister at home.” . : v I was looking out of the window as she spoke. As I turned my face toward her, I felt some one touch my shoulder. I turned quiokly. The stranger was sitting near us In tne train. His presence seemed so real to me that I spoke out angrily. “If you please, sir—” :«? / Madam looked around. “To whom are you speaking, Louise?” I knew, then, that whatever I saw, whether man or evil one, Madam Roe is -was conscious of nothing. I looked over the face, at the blue eyes and gentle mouth, down at the white hands and red ring, without a word. • “Monsieur Rosis,” I thought. “But why does he follow Madame?” We rode the day through with the fair, immovable figure beside us, and the doctor in the next carriage. The one seemed to counteract the influence of the other. Nothing could harm me. At night we came to our resting place “Here we shall find the ring!” said madame, as we hurried out of the train. “It is like an inspiration. I feel it through and through.” We did not go to a hotel, but to a house near the outskirts of the town. I kn >w the coachman of the fly stared at madame when she told him where to drive us. The night was very dark. Looking around for ray friend, I could not see him, and I thought I was lost. Warm as was the night, the place to which we went was chilly, Madame had fires made in the grates and ordered wine to be brought. “Where are we?” I asked. “Pardon me fer not saying. This is my home. No one dam intrude here.” No one? Was madame so sure? As she spoke the pleasant faced stranger, ghost or man came noiselessly in, ami sat down by the fire. He wore the same expression as when I had first seen him. Glancing at his hand, I saw the blood-red nug glowing upon his finger. ■ ' “You do not drink,” madame said, as I sat holding the wine glass. “What is it?” I put down the glass with a shudder. . “Madame Rosis, I want to go home.” “This is your home. By day it is beautiful. To-night I know there are shadows—ami it is cold. We can have more fire.” “That is not it—l want my sister. I j seem to be stiffling here.” “Well, well—l will play to you. I will sing.” She threw open the piano. Good heavens, what a wail came from it as her delicate fingers ran up and down the keys! Wild unreal, agony, despair found voice in the malody which she awakened Then her little hands pattered softly down, and her voice broke out softly to the weird accompaniment. Through it all I could hear the falling of ghostly feet, the whispers from shadowy lips. The stranger listened at her side; so dose was his face to hers, that in au unsteady light they seemed to mingle , and waver together. Where was I? Hie atmosphere was like that of a tomb? Was I among flash aft Mood realities, or had I been drawn mbo - the charnel house to expiate some sin* virhich I bad committed? Bm, indeed! What did I know about .sin? - : “Don’t madame—don’t!” I cried. “You are driving me mad! Let me go—in the name of mercy, let me go!” “You need rest,” Bpoke the madame. “You are nervous. You shall go to your room and have supper there.” She led me like a child. What could Ido? Up-stain it was more cheerful. Hie fire was fresh and the hunns gave out • dear, steady light, 1 drew a sigh of “You like it?” said madam. “How can I help it?” “lam glad. My room is opposite. Tn the night, if you are awakened, you can came to me. But I think you will Bleep; I will mod your supper to you I name’s voioe that aroused me. In a amid the physician. ’ •

1 glowed and burned. It wm plain to me, no matter what others thought Madame had died of fright when the ring was placed upon her Anger. Her impression had been true. Bhe had that night found her ring. Let us hope, too. that in God’s wide mercy she found mat