The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-05-03

frequent and excessive changes. On the ap-
pearance of the youth, Juan, she addressed to
him a single glance of equal bitterness and
scorn; and, while he stopped and whispered in
the ears of his uncle, her look was that Of 8
loathing such rs one would naturally feel at
contact, suddenly, with reptile equally hide
ous and dangerous. But her features, under
the control of most watchful will, resumed
their look of icy indifference before her tyrant
could detect their changes.
The whispered dialogue with Juan over, the
latter drew nigh to the lady, and proceeded to
whisper in her ear ALSO She recoiled from him
with unqualified disgust.
"Bewarew he exclaimed, but in subdued ac-
cents, Beware, Maria, you are on the eve Of
the precipice, and single word may incur for
you the fate of your faNorite."
assure me of that and welcome it" she an
swered, with a sudden resumption of all the
vivacity which could be made to gather in an
eye of unexampled brilliancy and beauty.
The youth smiled spitefully, but said, "You
are wild! That fate would realize no hopes
for either of you. 1t would be death, and some.
thing worse than death denial to the grave,
and of course, beyond it. But am not now
speaking ofyour death. 1t is throug me that
you live. 1t is through me, Maria, that you
live--need tell you thats-because seI love-"
"What IF | proclaim you where you stand,
the villain that you are" answered the lady in
accents similarly eubdued with his own.
alt would avail you nothing! He would
regard it only as mode of escape, which, in
your desperation, you seek to adopt. Docs it
need still that | should prove to you how com.
pletely control his ear and fashion his will"
"Alas! no. But what is the purpose, as he
understands it, of this whispered conference
with mep'
"Ah! that is my secret" the other answer.
ed with smile-"enough. that speak of any
thing but that My true purpose is with you,
and myself! | will save this favorite Of yours
save him unharmed aboard the vessel, with
probably no greater penalty than close impris.
onment, snd"-he spoke this with a grin-per.
haps denial of his guitar. 81 will do this, Ma
ria, if you will become wise as would have
you--if-"
81 understand you-but that is impossible!
tell you, Juan de Silva, | loathe you too much
to keep terms with you. You have gone too
far-you have shown me too vile an aspect
too serpent-like tooth, for me to suffer your
near approach, save as most hateful and hated
enemy. will brave any fate before ] suffer
this p
"Beware! your words but doom your fa
vorite."
"Be it so Had he been the man thought
him, it had never come to this 1t had been
vour fate, not his or mine He deserves all
that he finds failing himself, and failing me, at
the proper moment Hark you, the dagger
which his fingers clutched, when your felon
hand rested upon his shoulder, was put into
them by mine; and the name which my lips
uttered when gave it him, was that Of Juan
dc Silva. And yet he struck not, but tamely
submitted, sacrificing himself and me. Now,
that you have heard all, judge for yourself what
terms there can be between us"
The lofty, if not noble scorn which filled her
features at this narrative, heightened wondrous-
ly the beauty Of her countenancc. Her COM
panion, though evidently moved by her words,
could not forbear betraying, with open admira-
ton of his gaze, how much it stimulated his
passion. He spoke, after brief moment, lost
in the absorbing pleasure of his gaze.
al can forgive you, Maria. and adore you
STILL That this Lopez was thus base and in.
sensible, should surely satisfy you that he was
not meant to enjoy, or to deserve, heart like
yours. Be mine and all is yours am here
the master | can save this crcature--will
save him, for fear him not butt must have
your assurance
Never! Juan lie Silva! never"'
"Bewarc"
"Ncverw
"Once again, beware! You precipitate his
fatew
II should precipitate myself upon worse,
if sought to save him upon these conditions.
loathe and hate you, Juan de Silva; too much
to endure your smiles, your favors, the snake
like and revolving coil of your venemous EN-.
brace"
"You have doomed him" was the sullen
answer from the scarcely parted lips of the
youth "His fato is sealed forever"
He was about to turn away.
"Stay~ was the eager whisper Of the wo.
man.
"Well."
"What is that fate I" was the family spoken
inquiry that reached his cars.
You will know soon enough. His hour
approaches"
"And l too am prepared for mine! too
can perish" were tho muttered accents which