The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-07-17


upon earth was already shrunk to brief
span. In my opinion, Ellen Irwin was
handsome, even an elegant young person
this, however, is in some degree a matter of
taste. But no one could deny that the gentle
kindness, the beaming compassion that IRA
dated her features as she tended the fast
sinking invalid, rendered her at such times
absolutely beautiful-nngelized her. to use an
expression of nv wite's with whom she was a
prime favorite. was selfdebating for about
the twentieth time one evening, where it was
| had formerly seen her, with that sad, mourn
tul look of hers; for seen her was sure ]
had, and not long since either. 1t was late
had Just returned home nv wife was in
the sick room, and had entered it with two
or three oranges:
"Oh, now | remember suddenly ex-
claimed, just above my breath the picture
in Mr.. Rcnshawes room, What a ,erv re-
markable coincidence :"
4 low, chuckling laugh, close at my elbow,
caused me to turn quickly towards the door
Just within the threshold stood Mr.. Renshawe,
looking like white stone image rather than a
living man, but for the fierce sparkling of his
strangely cleaning eyes, and the mockine,
triumphant curl Of his lips.
You too have at last observed il then 2,
he muttered, family echning the under-tone
in which spoke: Il have known the truth
for many weeks"
Inc manner, the expression, not the words,
quite startled me. At the same moment 4
cry of anguish rang through the room, and
Immediately seized Mr. Renshawe bv the
arm. and drew him iorriblv awav. for there
meet the eyes of a diving man
What were You saving: What truth
have YOU known for weeks :" asked. as soor
as We had reached the sitting room
Before he could answer. another wailing
sound assembled from the sick room Light.
ming leaped from Ren>hawe's lustrous, dilated
eyes, and the exulting laugh again, but loud
er, burst from his lips:
"lla ha :" he ticrcclv exclaimed, q" | know
that cry 1t is Deaths Death Thrice
blessed Death. whom have 50 often cnor
antlv cursed But that" he added quickly
and pecrIng sharply in my fare, was when
you know. people SAID and he ground hi,
teeth with rage" people said ! was crazct
mad ~
What do Won mean hv thi, wild talk. IN,
friend" replied in an unconcrrned. ant
qnietng tone a. could Immediately assume
+" Come, sit down: WAS asking the mraning
Of your strange words below, Just now"
The meaning of my words: Iou know
as we'll As | do. Look there "
AT the painting: Well 2"
You have seen the original" he went or
with the same tone and gestures 1T crossed
| me like flash of lightning. Still, it i
: strange she does not know me- it IL sure sh,
: does not But am changed, no doubt
sadly changed :" he added deiectedlv, as h,
looked in a mirror.
"Can YOU mean that have seen Laur;
lI,ugreaves here :" | stammered, thorough,
+ bewlldered. She who was drowned ten o
4 eleven years ago."
Z ITO be sure-to be sure, 1t was SO be
: Iieved I admit, by everybody-bv mysel
. and the belief drove me mad And yet
, now remember, when at times was calm
e when the pale face, blind staring eyes, an
|. dripping hair. ceased for while to pursu
e and haunt me, the low. sweet voice and ger
n tie face came back and ! knew she livet
O though all denied it. But lock, it is hor yer
ii image" he added iercely, his garing eve
e flashing from the portrait to my face altcl
/ natelv.
"Whose image ?"
- Whose image Why. Mrs. Irwin's, to /
d sure. You yourself admitted it Just now"
1t was so confounded that for several mil
Y. utes remained stupidity and silent staring
l. the man. At length said
r "Well. there is likeness not so great
l. | imagined"
ID :. 1t is false he broke in furiouSlv 1"
Sc is her very self"
f We'll talk of that Tomorrow. You a
= i'll. over-excited and must 90 to bed he
10 Doctor Garland's voice below he shall con
as to YOU"
"a No-no-no." he almost screamed
e. q" Send me no doctors hate doctors, B
er I'll 90 to bed-sinoe-sinc YOU wish it; b
of no doctors Not for the world.
v. As he spoke, he shrank cowardlv bac
- wards, out of the room his wavering, una,
he ct ewes fixed upon mine as long as we
nd NAMED within view of each other: nome
a afterwards | heard him dart into his b
lv chamber. and bolt and double-lock the doc
= 1t was plain that lunacy, but partially S,
op dued, had resumed its former mastery O,
" the unfortunate gentleman. But what
IN, extraordinary dclusion took candle a
", examined the picture with renewed curiosi
as 1t certainly bore strong resemblance to NJ
re- Irwin; the brown curling hair, the pens
ht- eyes, the pale fairness of complexion, w
'ur the same; but it was scarcely more GIRL
re- more youthful, than the young matron ,
he now, and the original, had she lived, wo