Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-03-14
with head appraised, and look intent,
And eye and ear attentive bent,
And locks flung back, and lips apart,
Like monument of Greeian art


stern and low, sswhat Go you here girl?''
| ssFather.'' and the thrillngly sweet accents
came like music on the ear. sFather by the
memory of my sainted mother, abjure the
dark deed. Are we not forbidden to take
/ vengeance 20
/ ssTush, girl, have 1 not told You that Hood
alone wash out the memory of that hour.
And mark me, Leila, do distrust you of late.
| By my faith l believe you entertain some girl
ish affection for this same youth. Ha! do you
dream one of the proud Cranstoun's race
would wed smuggler's daughter. Leila, he
| dies by my hand-and you, girl, may wear
the willow if you will.''
The maiden sprung to her feet: ''Beware,
! father, or you will find your child has some
portion of your own spirit Taunt me again
with my deep love, and will say one word
/ that shall give you to a dungeon and chains.
| l love you not, father; and but that promis-
! cd my gentle mother, on her death bed, to
watch your dark course, | would go forth
wanderer through the world. tel you again,
that l will warn Roland Cranstoun-and the
knife shall reach the heart of your daughter
ere it be stained with his life blood; and with
iiSnt step she bounded away.
| Cool idiot that L was to trust her," NUT
tered the man as he slowly follwed.
| Cranstoun in Venice, and. two months
went by without bringing any solution of the
mystery; the third found him laid low with fe-
| yer. In his delrious dreams he fanced that
/ the mysterious warnings were again on his, ear
and he WAS conscious that a gentle hand
smoothed his pillow, and held the cordial to
his parched lip. A long heavy sleep fell upon
him; when he awolle, he in the garb
of sister of mercy by his bedside; he too
| exhausted for spcech but she held cooling
draught, and put her finger to her lip in token
of silence. In a half dreaming state he again
sunk back, but not before he was conscious Of
/ looking upon face of exceeding beauty. 4
heavy step was heard outside of the door--it
opened, and the dark -browed figue of the ru-
/ iped palace softly entered the room. Cau-
tiously he stole towards the table, ON which
was many drink and medicine.
ssSmpletonsi' he muttcred, .sthey are afraid
of the fever and laud for Drawing the
danger for my friend. Well friend, let it be,
this powder will give him short shrift, and tits
surer than the dagger or knife:" and he turned
it into a chrystal cup that held some prescribed
drink, and hastily left the room. Roland saw
the whole, and knew twas Ridgley's form and
face, but he too weak to raise his voice
hand. But there was one other watcher, the
fair being who was watching his weary couch.
She sprang to the table, and with glance at
the contents of the cup, dashed it to the
ground, where it shivered into hundred
pieces. 1t was POISON
The stars looked down in their quiet beauty,
and the soft air Of evening, such an eve as is
only met with beneath Italia's skies, was steal
ing gently into the sick room of Roland Grams
toun. He was reclining on couch propped
by pillows near the open window, and there
with an anxious brow was Sister Theresa.
s.Tell me your name, sweet lady? 1t is
strange that one SO young and fair should
| keep such fearful virgils by my couch.''
s.Tis my vocation to soothe the sick and sor-
row1ul,'' answered she in tones of music.
s.Surely have heard that voice before, and
met face strangely like thine. But my head
is weak yet, and I cannot reccollect. Surely
it was not always Sister Theresa
A knock at the door interrupted them, and
ere she could reply, it was burst hastily open,
and the glad greeting of Horace Sedley fell
F! like 4 tcne from home upon the yearning
heart of the sufferer.
ssNow the blessed virgin be praised" muir
INJURED Sister Theresa, and the shade of ankle
| ty passed from her brow.
ssSedley. my dear friend where do you come
| from ~ exclaimed Roland, as he warmly wrung
his hand, 81 thought you still in sunny Spain.''
| ssNo. my old uncle has departed this life.
/ leaving me heir to his wealth and titles-a
| good long rent roll mine is too. l immediate
| ly sold out and shall expect you to receive
| Sir Horace Sedley, and lady, with deal Of
| form and ceremony"
.What! is Flora with you p
eyes. Nothing must do, but the silly girl
must see Italy, though she has since confess
ed that she had presentiment you were in
/ some Danger
.sAnd so have been, Horace, from more than
one cause-Ridgley has been here and though
! this gentle maiden warded off the blow, and from
her lips can gather nothing, yet am cofident
he has attempted to remove me by poison.''
ssAh l was just going to say that Ridgley
/ deserted but a few weeks after you left. Can
he be taken, his fate is certain.''
Sister Theresa laid her cold hand on Sed-
ley's arm-ssGuard well your friend-my duty
| calls me away, there is danger around him
and as he values life let him leave not this
room till I bid.'' And gathering her veil
about her, she glided from the apartment.