The Vision Of Evil. A Story Of Old Paris.

were not finished on the propitious day until two hours previous to the time arranged for the visit of the fair Louise . As the hour drew near , the anxiety of our hero was painful to witness , for , like all lovers , he feared some untoward event would at the last moment arise to mar his happiness and dash the anticipated draught of bliss from his thirsting lips . However , these ideas proved false as within five minutes of the timed fixed , a light step

was heard upon the stairs , the door opened and his mistress , with a cry of joy , sprang into the apartment and blushingly threw herself into his arms . This proceeding created much astonishment and virtuous indignation in the breast of the worthy Jeanne , who considering her age and infirmities , had followed her young lady ' s footsteps wonderfully fast , and who , with hands upraised in deprecation , stood spellbound at the door .

" Be not alarmed or shocked , good mother , " gaily said D'Arcy , " but come in , and accompany your mistress to yon apartment , as she has need of your services in changing her apparel . Allez-vous-en !" The antiquated spinster , for be it known Jeanne had never entered the matrimonial state , with a low courtesy , and uttering

words of unintelligible import , slowly obeyed his commands by disappearing with her young charge into the neighbouring room . About half an hour afterwards and just as the resonant chimes of Notre-Dame , were annouiiciug the hour of eleven , the lady and her attendant re-entered , but in consequence of their disguise , very considerably altered in appearance .

The impatient lover was on the point of conducting his fiancee and her attendant downstairs by a private way , when suddenly reports of musketry were heard , followed by the clashing of weapons , then shrieks , curses , groans , and cries for help , which unwonted sounds , mingling together in their horror , produced an uproar perfectly indescribable . As these noises fell upon the ears of our friends , they paused in their descent of the staircase and for a moment appeared transfixed with surprise .

" In the name of Heaven ! " suddenlyexclaimed Louise , " what can this awful turmoil mean ? Have the citizens been attacked for

plunder by the foreign soldiers of the King ? " "No , I cannot ascribe the uproar to that , " replied her lover , decisively . " But hark ! " h e added , fearfully , " What cries are those ? " Mon Dieu , mon Dien ! the terrible event I have long foreseen and dreaded is now taking place . "

" What do you mean ? For pity sake tell mo ! " frantically cried our heroine , "and release iny mind from a suspense that is killing me . "

" We will first retrace our way and regain the apartment , " replied her lover , in a voice which trembled with surpressed emotion . The women tremblingly obeyed him and were led to seats , while D'Arcy , with a despairing look , fastened the doors . " Did you not hear , Louise , " he continued , " those significant shouts of ' Mart aux Huguenots ! ' ' Death lo the accursed heretics ! ' ' Pillage their houses ! ' 'Slay their children ! ' ' Glory to the De Medici ! ' l Vive le roi ! ' ' Aux amies ! ' "

"Heaven help us then if that is the case ! " piously murmured the maiden . " There will be no chance of escape and as you are wellknown to follow the tenets of the reformed Church , y our residence will be one of the first to be destroyed . " " But I hope that your fears have deceived you . "

" Would they had , would they had , my beloved , " replied her lover , sorrowfully . He then approached the window and gazed forth into the street upon which the moon was shining brightly . " See , " he abruptly resumed , with horror , " where even now the wretches arc burning the house 6 f Alphonse de Gaspard , the worth y old Huguenot gold-worker . "

With an affrighted and cautious step the lady hastened to the casenient and there beheld the residence of the goldsmith inflames . Several miscreants had dragged the unfortunate owner forth and were proceeding to execute their barbarity upon him . The defenceless and aged man , with his long silver hair streaming down his shoulders , his eyes swimming in tears , and his nerveless hands raised in prayer towards Heaven , presented an appearance as pitiful as it was saint-like . It

recalled in its anguish and pathetic resignation the demeanour of one of the martyrs of old . But his assailants were callous and oblivious to all feelings of clemency . With blasphemous oaths , several Swiss soldiers and other alien hirelings of the king threw themselves upon their victim and , heedless of his appeal for mercy , forced him into the road . Three wretches then securely held him , while two others prepared to torture him with their weapons .

" I cannot endure tins cruel sight any longer , " fiercely cried our hero , and drawing his petronels from his belt he applied the fuse to each and discharged them simultaneously into the street below . His skilful aim proved successful , and two of the fiends in human shape fell mortally wounded over the prostrate body of their victim . Some soldiers who were quietly gazing on the scene and

apparently enjoying the sight ot u fellow creature being tortured , at this unexpected interruption gave vent to yells of rage and dismay , and , raising their arquebuses , discharged them at the casement . D'Arcy who had instinctively anticipated their action quickly drew the pale Louise from the window , but he had not the presence of

niind to warn Jeanne , who with a woman ' s curiosity , had approached too near the opening , and . for her un-intentional temerity , received the full contents of the weapons in her breast . The poor old creature with an agonizing look at her young mistress , gave utterance to a heavy gurgling groan , and fell dead upon ( he floor . , Pen cannot describe the effect produced upon our lovers by this awfully sudden catastrophe . For a moment even Francis was * over-

The Vision Of Evil. A Story Of Old Paris.

come by a nauseous feeling of horror , but knowing that not a moimnt was to be lost , if they wished to insure concealment ho led ( he stupified girl from the chamber , and entered a dark recess or closet opening from the staircase . He then touched a spring which caused a panel

to slide back and disclose an alcove . " Louise , m-t inic , be not . alarmed , " he said , cheerily , "but compose yourself and iiv means of yon concealment 1 have no doubt we shall eventually escape . " Having placed the maiden within the recess , he also entered una closing the secret panel , awaited the result with a beating heart .

CHAPTER IV .

Soon were heard the sounds of windows being broken , doors being forced , and the heavy trampling of armed meu ascending the stairs . " The birds have flown , " said a rough voice , with an oath . " Yes , " shouted another , laughing , " but one of them has been winged so severely that I am thinking she will never rise again . "

The marauders then commenced to search every nook and corner of the suite of rooms , even to the recess behind which the fugitives were concealed . After a time they seemed to think that the place was untenanted , and that to stay any longer was useless . The ruffians then plundered the apartments of every portable article of value and descended the stairs . " Thank the Lord ! they are gone , " ejaculated Louise in a whisper , " and provided they do not fire the house , wc are safe . "

" Yes , dear girl , " was the reply of her lover ; " but what is that peculiar noise just outside the panel ? " he asked . " It sounds like the scratching of a dog . " Before Francis had time to investigate it a heavy footfall was heard approaching the stairs and a gruff voice called out , " Pepin , Pepin , where are you , Pepin ? " The dog , for such it was , answered

by a low whine , and renewed its scatching at the panel more fiercely than before . Its master advanced to the spot where the lovers were hidden and suddenly uttered an exclamation of satisfaction . D ' Arcy feeling assured that by some means their whereabouts had been discovered , and knowing that there was but one man to cope with , drew back the panel and sallied out sword in hand . An explanation was soon furnished him as to the cause of the animal ' s irritation and

pertinacity . . Louise , on entering ( he recess , had not entirely drawn her dress with her , consequently part of it remained fixed between the panel and the wainscoat . Not giving the man time to recover from the trepidation attendant upon his startling appearance , Frauds made a lunge which would in all probability have ended the fellow ' s life

had not a resistance been offered to the blade by a shirt of mail which the ruffian wore beneath a stout buff jerkin . The man proved by no means a coward . He drew his weapon and manfully attacked the gallant with considerable verve and skill , but he had an adversary to contend with who a few months before had beaten all comers in an assault of arms that was held by the King of Frauce , iii honour of his sister , the beauteous Marguerite de Valois .

After some fifteen minutes hard fi ghting , during which time D'Arcy had succeeded in giving his opponent several severe wounds , the latter began to exhibit signs of weakness and but feebly guarded the young man ' s thrusts . Unfortunatel y for our hero ' s final success in the combat , a change was given to the state of affairs by the hurried entry of his old antagonists—the three masks . They ,

with cries of fierce joy , threw themselves into the fray . Frauds p laced his back against the wall and catching hold of a heavy table that was near , drew it between him and his assailants . For a time he managed to guard all the thrusts aimed at him , but it was impossible for human endurance to withstand such fearful odds for

any length ot time . Accordingly , finding himself growing weaker and weaker he made a resolute effort to conquer and so far succeeded as to stretch one villain lifeless and lo desperately wound another . The success gave our hero fresh courage to renew the boinbat and considerably damped the ardour of his' remaining foes .

The rufhan ( hat had been wounded so badl y found strength however to crawl into oue of the corners of the room with the intention of binding up his wounds , which were bleeding in a most alarming manner , Having made several ineffectual attempts to staunch the blood , and feeling that his life was ebbing fast , he took ; i petronel

from his belt , ignited the fuse , and with a hist effort of expiring nature , fired it point blank at the bosom of D'Arcy . Tho wretch then gave a loud laugh of derision and triumph and fell buck libless . Alas ! for the poor gallant , the bravo had ynl y been too successful in his aim ; the shot struck him in the ri ght breast and lit sank to the floor groaning with pain .

"Ha ! ha ! ha ! conquered at last , my young tire eater , " said one of the masks , laughing maliciously . " 1 am much obliged to you my departed ' Tigre , '" he added , apostrophising his fallen associate . " True to the instincts of the animal whose name you bore , you revenged yourself in a maimer that did you honour . "

"The two masks then drew back prior to making a last cowardly and fatal thrust with their weapons into the heart of their wounded opponent , but at that instant . Louise , with a despairing cry , rushed forth from her concealment where she had remained a witn .. ; . ; ,, (

the apalling tragedy , mid sti . nq'iiiu- drew li"in the ; vip | lv ••( ' !¦ . _ i !•„ ¦ , ei ' .-tirst assailant a petrolic ) , she then advanced in lioiit ot D'Are ; ,, and presented the weapon at the startled bullies , and in thrilling accents exclaimed" Villains and assassius ! approach but a slop and so surely a ?