Eastern times., 1856-03-13
Gbe Storpg Geller.
Extract from forthcoming work. to be published by De
Witt Davenport, New York, entitled,
CHRISTIN E;
Or, Womans Trials and Triumphs."
BY LAURA J. CURTIS.


satisfaction of all of It's friends. In the even
log, particularly, the audience was more than
ordinarily large and brilliant, and the speakers
were unusually eloquent.
The assembly dispersed in high good humor,
and, after the crowd had somewhat scattered,
Christine, with her friends, left the building.
As they walked down The passage that led to
Broadway, a haggard, wretched looking wom
an approached Christine with the inquiry if
this was Christine Elliot. Christine replied
that she was correct, and, drawing out her
purse, was about to slip coin in her hand, but
the woman shook her head.
Not that, she said in hollow voice Il
am sent to you by one you once loved, who is
dying now, but who cannot die in peace with
out seeing you. For the love of Heaven go
with me"
Christine shuddered. That hollow, sepul-
chral voice seemed almost like message from
the dead.
Who wishes to see me, . she asked, trem-
nlously.
Il have delivered my message, replied the
woman. will you come!
Christine hesitated. The woman noticed
her rresolution. She looked fxedly on her,
and said =
The curse of the dead, restless in the grave,
will haunt you.' and, without another word,
she turned away
Stop said Christine; 4 will 60
She turned to her friends, and explained in
few rapid words, her inteation. Expostula-
tions were of no avail she had decided.
Then will accompany you,' said one of
the gentlemen.
was bid 10 bring only one. No harm
will come to her, said the woman. Christine
quietly thaaked her friend for his kind offer,
but said that she was not afraid 10 trust herself
with her guide, and bidding them feel no un-
easiness about her, walked rapidly away with
her; she did, notwithstanding her courage,
feel some misgiviugs, as she followed the wom-
an through dirty and dark streets ia silence
Some distance they walked, when, suddenly,
they entered dark alley-way, where the
woman took Chris,ne's hand, and led her
along; shiver of terror crept over her as she
stepped carefully on. Suddenly they emerged
again into light, if the fiickering of talIow
candle, at the head of staircase, might be
called SO; this they ascended, and entered a
small room.
A miserable pallet laid upon the floor in one
corner of the room the woman pointed TO it,
and disappeared.
Christine approached the bed, on which laid
the sick person. The moon, which had just
risen. shone full upon the waH face of the in
valid, as Christine bent over her. Long, fair
hair fell over her wasted arms in tangled mass
es, and the straw, on which she was lying,
had become tangled among her luxuriant
tresses. Christine gently removed The hair
which shaded the face of the invalid.
The sufferer turned away, with a groan !;
then, 10 hollow voice, she said
You do not know me. Have you forgot
ten your poor Anniep
Annie Murray cried Christine, much
shocked for in those wan features, she could
hardly recognize the fresh, girlish face that
lived in her memory.
'Can it be possible! Poor ch,ld = she
bent over her and kissed her brow, while hot
tears fell from her eyes.
Do not kiss me- cried Annie. DO not
weep. Your kisses and your tears scorch my
very brain. am not worthy that such as you
should touch me and she uttered moan that
was succeeded by severe fit os coughing
she gasped for breath. Christine raised her in
her arms. Annie pressed handkerchief TO
her lips; when she removed it, it was stained
with blood She smiled faint, sad smile, as
she looked on it, and motoned TO be laid down
again. After she had somewhat recovered
her breath, she began =
81 know | must die. / know that am ut
terly lost and it was not for myself that
sent for you. l have suffered more than death
the last agony could bear; but have a
child Oh, Christine = she cried wildly, i
have lost my own SOUL my chilos
Let me not drag her down after me. Will
you promise me that you will take her-thai
you will watch over her-that you will save
her from her mothers fate!'
She grasped Christine's hand eagerly as she
spoke.
'Annie, promise you, in the sight o.
Heaven, that WILL ......
God bless you for that promise, said An
ME. sNow can die; but to think Of her, in
the midst of sin and shame, falling slowly,
surely, into the gulf of perdition that gaPes
before me-to lose all that is worth living fol
here in this world. and oh 1.-The next, Chris
tine, the nextn
Her voice sank into whisper.
can bear it myself she said, hoarsely
let me see my child in heaven, and it will
soothe halt the torments of hell rt
Christine shuddered but she felt that these
were the rawlings Of delirium. She endeavoret
to soothe the wretched woman before'her--she
pressed her hand gently en- her fevered brow
she spoke to her of the love Of Jesus-then, a,
she grew calmer, she said sofily,-
.'Sieep now, my Annie 2 -i
Nn-