The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-26

ne had pressed with such solemn earnestnese
and laughing one of his gay, careless laughs
SAID " You have heard the story of the Kilkeg
Yes, what ofitan
Nothing; only ycur remark, that love feed
upon love, suggested it: and with Sc ill-cog
cealed yawn he lighted his night lamp, am
iets me, thunderstruck, my question unansweS
ed.
followed him with my eyes, as step by ster
he assembled the stairs, for thought it YVES
cruel jest and he would come back and par
with kiss and reinsurance Of love- surely b,
would look back, and at least give me silen'
good night; but not So Struck dumb, stoot
and saw him 60 on and en--and, when be had
disappeared, heard him open the door of hi
chamber, and afterwsrd turn the key. press
cd nay hand upon my forehead, aud strained
my eyes WIDE to zee whether | was not in 8
dream, for doubted tho evidence of my sen
ses; but it was no dream. There lay the broker
flowers on the floor there ley the crumpleS
leaf which had torn from the gift book. Al
| sunk down on the4sofs, Fleet came forward
and whining low and pitifully, as it seemed
laid his head in my lap
1 would have pushed him off, for felt hi.
recognition of my desolation an evil sign bui
he would not be put aside and, crouching hum.
bly, licked my hands and looked up into nny
face.
l tried to think il was nothing, and to give
1t ludicrous coloring by asking myself how
tho whining of dog could affect my destiny
but the secret recognition of warning re-
manned the same.
Presently moth futtered in at the win.
dow, for IL had not been closed, and said
would make it the test of my fortune If it fat
tered near me, it should be good omen; and
1t the contrary, why, all was lost But uhcn
1t went farther and farther, made another
sign for it was natural that the moth should
go to the light | said my first test Yves not
worthy OF reliance but now if it soorched its
wings as it circled about the lamp, would
take it as an evil sign. With whas interest
watched it-Eow nearer and now farther frons
the blszs-once or twice my hand involunta,
riy Outstretched itself IS the danger became
imminent and nearer and nearer leaned,
hoping that in some sudden wheel it would
turn back into the night. 1t did not, howey
er, but foolishly neared the glitter now a
notch was bitten from one pretty wing, and
now from another, by the fire; snd so said if
1T gees away alive, it will BIO good omen--all
the better tor It's narrow escapes; and as said
so, more and more its wings grew ragged and
thin, and less steadily it balanced ITSELF till
suddenly it made blind dash-a struggle,
and the flame had eaten it up.
| groaned aloud, and upset the lamp az
sought to extricate the writhing body; so only
the moonlight was left for my chamberlain. !
hastily drew down the sash, for as said, | am
naturally superstitious and tinid and as |
turned, saw full in the moonlight, lowering
before me, what seemed bird, the most beau
tlful one | ever saw; it sung no song ana
made no sound with its wings, if wings it had,
For of I
there it huttered right before nee a moment,
and then it was gone-nos out of the room,
not on the floor nor the ceiling, yet it was
gone | might have thought it an illusion, 50
quick 1t went; but Fleet saw it, evidently, as
we'll as for he leaped forward, and heard
his jaws snap; and when the bird fluttered or
the same, he crouched down and tremhled.
When left the room he went with ne, nor
would he sleep otherwherc than at the head OF
my bed, and two or three times during the
night he reused and walked about the room,
IS if to sec that all was well You smile
well, only say what | saw.
While we were breakfasting on the follow.
ing morning, there was q loud, impatient ring
ing of the frontdoor bell. Mr.. Richards seem
ed startled, and whispered aside to me, when
Rose appeared, and announced that strange
person was importunate 20 see him. that he
|
disturbed. fulfilled his request with trem-
bling heart, but an unsteady voice; Observant
of which, the stranger inquired whether MIR.
Richards were very i'll, and if were his rela-
tive.
He was bluff rough man, Of some execu-
tive authority, thought; and, as he hcsitated,
he balanced in his hand paper, which seem
ed in some way to puzzle him. Will you see
this delivered into the hand of Henry Richards,
he asked presently. | answered that would
not like to disobey physieian's orders; and
| ventured to add, is it Of great Importance!
He did not reply, but shaking the window
shutter By which he stood, as ii so ascertain
the strength and excellence of the make, be
said "what available funds has this man z"
am quite ignorant of his affairs, said and
| took to myself some credit, inasmuch as
spoke tho simple truth and after some furthet
curious observation, the man placed the pack
age in a small black leathern bag, and with a
dissatisfied air, and without more than care
less nod, departed, greatly to my alienation
yet felt sure that some harmful thing, which
must come ct last had been only obviated for
the moment.
Mr.. Richards affected indifference as to the
stranger and his errand, and to me excused
himself for declining to see hinl-he could not
no said, have his new happiness encroached
upon by ordinary affairs. / would gladly have
believed that it was so. but | could not; there
was restlessness and uneasiness in his man
ner that belied his words He said he was not
well, and reolined On the sofa, and asked me-
in O way more garrulous and impatient than
fond, to talk to him knew no. what to say
for, in spite of the protestations Of the last
night, felt singularly restrained and embar-
raised nevertheless, | tried to obey his wishes
for of all things desired most to please him
but soon saw that | failed to interest bin
and he presently asked me to read-ho didn't
feel equal to the oxersion of conversation.
inquired what he would ike, romance Oh
travel, history or poetry and he answered, that
he was about done with romance and poetry
but, that further than that he had no choice.
| took up whatever book was at hand, and
read, but neither Of US received any meaning
from the words so, after some vain attempts &c
appear interested, closed the volume and for
q long time we remained silent and thipk
we both felt it relief when the workmen
about the farm required the superintendent
Of the proprietor
As sat alone, musing of many things, the
smiling face of Timothy appeared at the door
| | tried TO smile too, but it was a poor attempt
am afraid: nor was | reconoiled to myself d
nv prospects, for his assurance that | was
looking admirably well-he thought some good
thing had befallen or was about to befali me.
Il seemed to me that he saw quite the con-
trary, and wished to fortify my faltering.
He had come, he said, to have a little colo.
ouial intercourse with NE, previously to bis set
ting out in search of q fortune, as it might be
that cur next meeting would take place be-
You'd Jordan.
said was sorry for his going, as had few